QuestionQUESTION: Before the car would not start there was a sporadic knocking noise coming from the lower side of the engine, that you only heard when the car was under a load. Then finally the car died and will not start again. After talking to several people and researching online, I changed the spark plugs, wires, coil, crankshaft position sensor, timing belt, and fuel filter. However to no avail. I had someone turn the engine over while I removed each of the spark plug wires and have found that cylinder 1 is firing, and 2 is somewhat but not as powerful as 1. Cylinder 3 and 4 is not firing at all. When I say firing, the spark plugs to all cylinders are putting out a spark, but the cylinder does not undergo the combustion stage. Someone else had done a compression test and said that cyl 1 is about 190#, 2 is about 160, and 3 and 4 are both about 90#. They said it was the same for the wet test as well. However, I did not do a comp check myself. Can low compression cause the misfire, if so how do you correct it? Any other ideas on what it could be?
ANSWER: Ok..
is this a Se, LX or ZX model?
The ignition coils (2) fire 2 spark plugs at once, if you have a good spark at 2 cylinders with the spark plugs grounded well, I would suspect a dead coil. You said you replaced 1 coil?
What info do you get from the ECM? is the CEL on or flashing? What is the fuel pressure? Are the plugs wet?
What kind of a signal (pattern) do you get from the Crank and cam sensors?
Are the fuel injectors firing correctly?
let me know.
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QUESTION: It is the standard model, I assume SE since I know it is not an LX or ZX model. There is only one coil pack, you can tell by its form there are two coil windings inside, but it is only one unit and yes I replaced it with a new one.
The ECM had codes PO303, and PO304 which is cylinder 3 and 4 misfire. It had PO320 which is ignition/engine speed input, which I think its an old code since that problem happened a year ago and I replaced the crankshaft sensor which fixed the problem. I replaced it again anyways just to make sure that wasn't the problem. The last code it had was PO401 which is malfunction auxillary emissions control. I am not sure what that meant, but I did disconnect the catalytic converter and tried to start it in case it was plugged, however it still didn't start.
The plugs were wet with fuel after trying to start it, I removed the spark plugs to make sure it was getting fuel. I also sprayed ether into the intake to see if it would start then in hopes to determine if it is a fuel problem, but it still didn't start after spraying ether in it. I am not sure how to determine what kind of signal (pattern) the crank/camshaft sensors put out. I am also not sure how to determine if the fuel injectors are firing correctly, however, shouldn't the car start when you spray ether into the intake even if the fuel system is not working properly?
AnswerHi.
you will require a lab scope to test the cam and crank sensors. ensure that they have a regular square wave pattern.
if plugs are wet and you have tried adding fuel without fire, then no-spark appears to be #1 problem. if the coil pack is firing on 2 cylinders, but not the other 2 and the code points the same direction, i would be checking the coil inputs, primarily the signals for #2 coil (cyls 3&4).
Other possibilities would be the CCRM (constant control relay module) and the PCM
Or, without proper test equipment, I would swap in a known good coil pack... maybe a friend has a 2.0L ford.
It is best to replace the wet plugs and drain the fuel soaked oil. You may also have to add a TBSP of oil to each cylinder if the compression is low due to washed down cylinder walls.
The P0401 code is for an EGR problem, which will not affect spark.
With more and more electronics in cars these days, you really need the correct test equipment and information, or alot of spare time and spare cash or a good running , exact match donor car.
