Engine misfire?

Tiny
WILLIAM VOLZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 NISSAN ALTIMA
Engine Performance problem
1999 Nissan Altima 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

code read misfire #4 cylinder. Plugs, wires cap everything has been replaced. Could this be an injector and if so how do you check to see if injector is firing correctly. Car runs good but just a little sporatic idiling. Rpms bounce around while at an idle
Friday, February 13th, 2009 AT 5:46 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Engine misfiring can be caused by worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak spark (weak coil, bad spark plug wire), loss of compression, vacuum leaks, anything that causes an unusually lean fuel mixture (lean misfire), an EGR valve that is stuck open. This guide will help pinpoint the issue

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

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Saturday, February 14th, 2009 AT 1:19 AM
Tiny
WILLIAM VOLZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Thanks for the guide it was the #4 injector the guide help me find it
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Saturday, February 21st, 2009 AT 10:54 AM
Tiny
OCEANPEARL
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 144,000 MILES
The car idles just fine and as long as I slowly ease up to speed I can get up to about 45mph. If I try to accelerate too quickly it starts missing and bucking.

Any ideas?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
When was you last tune up and fuel filter change?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OCEANPEARL
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  • 4 POSTS
3500 since tune up and filter change
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Let's try a little experiment. Under the hood on the fuel injection feed rail, where the fuel line connects, is the fuel pressure regulator. This will have a vacuum line running to it. Unplug the vacuum line and plug the line with a "golf tee" or something similar. Take it for a spin and let me know what happens.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OCEANPEARL
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  • 4 POSTS
It works like a champ. What do I do now?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Change the fuel pressure regulator. Then you should be good to go.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
OCEANPEARL
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  • 4 POSTS
Thanx. I am taking it ovetr to the mechanic at 5:30 an now I won't get screwed.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMES W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,394 POSTS
Let me know how it pans out.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANDERSONRIBERT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 204,000 MILES
Hi, I have a big problem on my car. I bought it used about a month ago, and I can't find what the problem is. It was fine when I bought, up to like a week later. It misfire (hesitates) everytime I keep a low acceleration. If I don't accelerate or if I speed up (press the accelerator harder) it will not misfire/hesitate. Would you guys know the problem?
The only thing I found that could be the problem was a little bit of oil inside of the distributor cap, but I cleaned and even changed it, but still misfiring.
Thank you very much for your time.

Anderson
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Could be an ignition issue. At that mileage you should be on your second major tune up (plugs/wires/cap/rotor/fuel filter). Making sure all of the basic ignition is in proper order is the best place to begin, especially for misfires like you describe. Also you should always use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts to keep it running right
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
ANDERSONRIBERT
  • MEMBER
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Thanks for the reply. I already changed half of this parts, I will change the fuel filter today. If it doesn't fix it, any other suggestion?

Thank you for your time.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
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Could be an injector issue, but get all of the ignition replaced first
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEO-1
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 1997 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 192,200 MILES
Thanks to all whom have responded to previous posts.

See "Misfire at 1200-1900 rpm" and "Misfire at 1200-2100 rpm" previous.

Misfire has been traced to improper operation of the backpressure transducer valve. Removing the tube attached to the exhaust port to the intake manifold (which leads to a vacuum hose to the bottom of the transducer) and inspecting it, I found the tube to be completely blocked with carbon deposits. By thoroughly cleaning with carb cleaner, and ensuring clear passage, I was able to get the transducer to modify the opening and running behavior of the EGR. The EGR does not open initially as much and responds much more quickly to throttle and load changes.

I did replace the backpressure transducer with new from the dealer. When the same behavior as before occurred, I looked next at a possible blockage at the tube leading to the transducer.

I have replace all plugs, cap and rotor, ignition wires, fuel filter and upstream 02 sensor.

Each replacement of above parts did result in improvement in the misfire, though it is only incremental so far.

I still have a misfire at the above rpm speeds, what may I be missing? Does the 2.4 DOHC require periodic valve adjustment?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
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Hi steveo,

Now that you have got the EGR system under your belt, it is time to look at the spark plugs again.

After misfiring for a period of time, they could be faulty.

Most cars nowadays requires minimal valve adjustments.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:55 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CHESTERCO
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 NISSAN ALTIMA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 50,000 MILES
I have a 94 altima that, when I start it when cold, runs just great. But within a minute, if I step on the throttle fairly quickly it starts to misfire. The warmer the engine gets, the worse the misfire, and dies at times. If I step on the throttle slowly, the engine runs fine at times, then after about 10-15 minutes its hard to restart. I have already replaced the injectors, fuel pressure regulator, plugs, fuel filter, fuel pump, mass airflow sensor, distributor, wires, cap, rotor, map sensor, ecm, o2 sensor, ignition control module, distributor transistor, and ignition coil. The check engine light never comes on, but is functional. I have checked for codes and brings up the knock sensor but is very difficult to replace. The sensor and harness are fine when I checked it with a meter. I have checked and bypassed the knock sensor with and without a resistor but ends up the same.I have even removed the exhaust and ruled out the converter and did a compression test with good results 170-175psi on all cylinders. I am stumped and have been fighting this all year.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:56 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi chesterco,

Thank you for the donaton.

You have replaced almost everything that can be related to the issue so there is nothing much left to check.

I would suggest checking the Throttle Position Sensor and Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.

Are the spark plugs running rich? An out of range ECT can cause that and difficulty in starting due to flooding.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 10:56 AM (Merged)

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