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Code P301, engine light on and misfiring?

Tiny
JUSTBLESSED
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 DODGE CHARGER
  • 3.6L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,589 MILES
Recently I put in a new alternator, new ECM/PCM. I’ve changed the coils and plugs numerous times, but my engine light keeps popping on and once I read, the codes one day it’ll say: P301 Cylinder 1 misfire. Next day it’ll say: Random Multiple cylinder misfires. I don’t know what else it could be, and it happens a lot in Bay 1 on my engine. (These were also old codes before I changed my ECM, when I put the new one in, I cleared the codes out).
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Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 AT 7:33 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,366 POSTS
Hi,

This can be a few things. By chance, can your scan tool provide live data? If it can, connect it and start the engine. Allow it to reach operating temp and check the short-term fuel trims. Let me know what they are.

Also, have you checked things like fuel pressure and for vacuum leaks? If you switch the coil in cylinder 1 with a different cylinder, does the misfire change cylinders?

Here are two links. One is how to locate a vacuum leak and the other is how to test fuel pressure. You may want to do this.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-an-engine-vacuum-gauge

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
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The misfire doesn’t change cylinders when I change the coils with a different cylinder. Also sometimes my car won’t start right away it's like I have to play with the ignition to get it started.
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Monday, April 24th, 2023 AT 3:38 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,366 POSTS
Hi,

Have you confirmed if the cylinder 1 spark plug is getting spark? If you have and it is getting spark, we need to check the fuel injector to see if it is operating properly. By chance, do you feel the engine misfire when it is happening? Also, take a look through these links and let me know if you are comfortable performing them. One checks for an ignition spark to the spark plug and the other is how to test an injector.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-for-ignition-spark

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, April 24th, 2023 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
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All of my bank 1 spark plugs are getting spark and I feel it missing when I’m sitting somewhere and it’s idling I also a bit of a stall a little as I try to get on the gas.
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 8:48 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,366 POSTS
Hi,

If you have spark, then we need to confirm the fuel injector is working properly. Are you comfortable performing the tests I attached above in the link?

Also, it could have lower compression in that cylinder causing a misfire as well, but that is unlikely at that mileage unless it was abused or not serviced properly.

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
JUSTBLESSED
  • MEMBER
  • 33 POSTS
  • 2013 DODGE CHARGER
  • 3.6L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,679 MILES
So I’ve recently put in a new ECM, alternator changed my spark plugs and coils 2 different occasions but prior to that I had a battery drainage problem (which is now fixed) but I still have the misfire on my bank 1 side of my engine it started off with Cylinder 1 then went to 3 then on to 5 I just put it on one of my basic computers and it says the possible solution: replace fuel injector wire. Can someone possibly assist me with trying to figure out what it could be. My timing chain is not making any noise or slapping against anything so it is not that.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 AT 5:02 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

There could be an issue with the fuel injectors. I attached a pic below of the wiring schematic below. Note that each fuel injector has a brown wire with a white tracer. With the key on, that should have battery voltage. Confirm that on the cylinders that are affected.

If they have power, disconnect the connector at cylinder 1. At cylinder 1, there will be a brown wire with a yellow tracer. That is the ground path that is provided via the PCM.

Take a test light and connect the alligator clip to the battery positive and the lamp to the brown/yellow wire. Have a helper crank the engine. The light should strobe on and off.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 AT 7:17 PM
Tiny
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It definitely seems like an injector problem because when my car is above half of tank it runs normal but when it gets below a half it runs badly.
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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 AT 5:12 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,366 POSTS
Hi,

That sounds like a fuel pressure restriction in the tank. If you get the fuel below half a tank, see what the fuel pressure is. An injector won't fail because of the fuel level. Something may be limiting the pressure needed.

Here is a link that explains how to check the pressure. Also, I attached the manufacturer's fuel pressure specifications below

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If you feel it is an injector issue, try the test I indicated above when the problem happens. Also, here is a link you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-a-fuel-injector

Let me know what you find.

Joe

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Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 AT 6:23 PM

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