Engine misfiring?

Tiny
DOSTERROB
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
My car is spuddering when I hit the gas and take off really bad I was wondering if you would know what is causing it before I spend alot of money.
thankyou
Saturday, February 7th, 2009 AT 8:09 PM

46 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Also, have you checked fuel pump pressure?

This guide will hep us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-misfires-or-runs-rough

Joe
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Friday, March 13th, 2009 AT 10:42 AM
Tiny
JSINTAMPA
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  • 2 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
I am having trouble with my engine. I had AutoZone pull the codes from the car's computer and it said that I have an EGR system fault in the solenoid circuit, and a misfire detected in cylinder #5. How do I (on an extremely tight budget) find what is the cause without replacing this and that till it is fixed(usually at a high cost) HELP!
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
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We need to know the exact code(s) you get and also which engine you have. Either V6 2.7L (4-door) or V6 3.0L (2-door). We need the 8th digit of your VIN.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSINTAMPA
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Codes are P0403 (EGR) and P0305(cylinder #5 misfire) Engine type is 3.0L V6
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ZACKMAN
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Typically when you have P0403, you will also have a cylinder misfire.

P0403 - Exhaust Gas Recirculation Circuit Malfunction

The Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system is controlled by a vacuum solenoid. The solenoid is supplied ignition voltage. The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) controls the vacuum solenoid by grounding the control circuit(ground) or driver. The primary function of the driver is to supply ground for the object that is being controlled. Each driver has a fault circuit that the PCM monitors. When the PCM turns a component on, the control circuit voltage is low, or close to zero. When the component is turned off, the voltage on the control circuit is high, or near battery voltage. The PCM watches for these conditions, and if it doesn't see the proper voltage at the proper time, this code is set.

Potential Symptoms

Usually a fault in the control circuit, will leave no noticeable symptoms other than the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination. However, if the EGR control solenoid is stuck open due to debris, etc. The code may be accompanied by misfire under acceleration, rough idle, or engine dying altogether.

Causes

The causes for a P0403 EGR code could be any of the following:

* Bad EGR solenoid
* Excessive resistance in control circuit (PCM controlled ground) due to an open, chafing or damage to the harness
* Poor connection at the EGR solenoid harness (worn or loose pins)
* Water intrusion at the EGR solenoid harness
* Blockage in EGR control solenoid holding solenoid open or closed causing excessive resistance
* Loss of supply voltage to EGR solenoid
* Bad PCM

Possible Solutions

With the ignition on and engine off, use a scan tool to activate the EGR solenoid. Listen or feel for a clicking, indicating that the solenoid is operating.

If the solenoid does operate, you'll have to check current draw on the ground circuit. It should be less than one amp. If it is then the problem is intermittent. If it isn't then there is excessive resistance in the circuit and perform the following

1. When it's activated see if you can blow lightly through it. If you can't there may be a blockage causing excessive resistance. Replace EGR solenoid as needed. If there is no blockage, disconnect the EGR solenoid and the PCM connector containing the EGR solenoid control circuit. Using a digital Volt-Ohm meter (DVOM) check resistence between the control circuit and battery ground. It should be infinite. If it isn't, then there is a short to ground on the control circuit. Repair the short to ground and retest as needed.

2. If the solenoid doesn't click as it should, disconnect the EGR solenoid connector and connect a test light between the two wires. Using the scan tool, command the EGR solenoid on. The light should light up. If it does, replace the EGR solenoid. If it does not perform the following:
a. Check for 12 Volts on the ignition supply voltage to the solenoid. If it isn't present, inspect the supply circuit for an open, or a short due to chafing or breakage and re-test.
B. If it still doesn't operate: then manually ground the EGR solenoid control circuit. The light should light. If it does, repair open in EGR solenoid control circuit and re-test. If it doesn't, replace EGR solenoid.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETT132
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  • 2001 DODGE STRATUS
  • 156,000 MILES
I am having a problem I changed my battery and checked my alternator and checked all Leeds, cleaned them and checked fuses. My car dies while running checked codes getting p1500 and code for number 5 cylinder miss fire. Could it be my coils or crank sensor?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Is he battery dead?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETT132
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Yes
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
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Charge the battery and load test the battery. Then u need to check the charging sys.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRETT132
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Did that it is good
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TEUS
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My car skips and cuts back when I try to accelerate and sometimes is hard to crank
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Has the check engine light ever come on?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EAHAUKOM
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  • 2000 DODGE STRATUS
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I just had a new distributor, ditributor cap, spark plugs and wires put in my car after it refused to start. Now, two weeks later, as my car just idles and when driving, trys to accelerate out of 1st gear it shakes violently, chugs, has a bad smell and finally thumps into 2nd. After that is drives fine, but if it has to down shift and then accelerate again, I almost get struck by other drivers. The friend I had do the tune up for me says it seems like it's misfiring, does this sound correct?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
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Welcome to the forum, if only acts-up when trying to shift, maybe a tranny issue? Have the trouble codes checked, see if anything shows up? Does it act-up if you increase the rpms while in park position?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:36 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EAHAUKOM
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Yes, it does act up if idling at all.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
EAHAUKOM
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  • 2000 DODGE STRATUS
  • 6 CYL
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  • 180,000 MILES
I just had a new distributor, ditributor cap, spark plugs and wires put in, about two weeks ago when my car refused to start. Now, when it is idle and trying to shift out of 1st it shakes violently, chugs, smells bad and then finally, thumps into 2nd. Once it's in 2nd it's fine unless I have to slow down so it downshifts and then accelerate again, it starts all over. The friend I had do the tune up says it seems like its misfiring, does this sound right?
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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When was the last tune-up? Badly needed one will cause the transmission not to function properly other causes below:

Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)

Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSHIPLEY76
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE STRATUS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
Originally I pulled a #1 spark plug wire to check that it is firing while the car was running.
It started missing worse when I pulled #1. 2-4 are firing, but #1 isn't. I put #1 plug in 2 -4 and the plug worked fine in those.
I have replaced wires, and plugs. Runs, sounds like a lawn mower, sputters when accelerating, the timing is right on, and compression good.
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
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Hat is compression on a gauge if a 20% variant then it's not good. It could be a vacuum leak and ora head gasket or an inector problem have a pro scan for codes
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JSHIPLEY76
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Thank you for responding. I will have autozone check for codes tomorrow! Jamie
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Wednesday, August 19th, 2020 AT 8:37 PM (Merged)

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