HELP! CEL-- car is puttering
 

Hello,

A couple days ago my CEL came on, and I noticed that my car now idles rough. It also vibrates under acceleration, especially under 2.5 rpm. Once I reach 2.5 rpm the vibration is hardly noticable. Has anyone run into this problem before, or know how to fix it?

Thank you in advance for your help

You should post the CEL code along with the problem. I think there are shops that will do it for free, for me, it was easier to buy a diag reader from Auto Parts Warehouse.

I got the code, it's P0302: cylinder 2 mis-fire. I guess it's time for a tune up. Does anyone know how much they run on a avg. for a '97 with over 100k miles?

Chances are, Your coilpack on cylindar #2 is bad, Happened to me 3 weeks ago, except #4 went out on me, Bought an new original Beru coilpack for 49 bucks and that fixed the problem.

Where did you buy it from, and how much/hard was the install?

Its easy todo... You jack up the passenger side rear wheel and remove it. Then remove the coilpack from the middle cylindar by unpluging the connector and removing the 2 allen bolts from it, then twist and pull, it would come out. Then plug in the new coilpack and your good togo.

I had my father order it through worldpac... they are a parts supplier for mechanic shops so i only paid wholesale price for it.

WHOA !!

Before you go throwing $49 or whatever at it, be sure that's the issue!

Just because someone else got 'X' to fix it does NOT mean that's the same issue.

P0302 is a misfire on the number 2 cylinder. The Factory repair manual lists causes as:

• 1. Fuel Tank driven to empty - triggers CEL, but no fault registered or existing.
  
  2. Contaminated, faulty or wrong spark plug - $6 not $49.
  
  3. Contact resistance - such as a leaky Spark Plug Tube 'O' Ring - $2.
  
  4. Loose connections - Check to see that CoilPak is properly seated on the Plug and that it's electrical connector is tight, not corroded or oil soaked.

It does not list a faulty Ignition Coil as a possible cause - to eliminate, check Resistance between terminal 1 and 15 on the coil look for 0.3 - 0.7 Ohms @ 20 °C.

One thing you do NOT want to do is remove the CoilPak and see if you can get a spark to arc to the block - this can fry the DME or CoilPak.

Do these checks, then by process of elimination select the proper fix.