2002 Ford Taurus V6 DOHC engine is running rough. Worse when in gear or if heat or a/c is on. Runs better if in neutral. Says misfire cylinder 3. Replaced spark plugs, wires, and fuel filter, no better. Also happens when going up an incline but if you let of the gas and repress the pedal it gets better.

Part 3 -How to Test the Ignition Module and Crank Sensor ...

easyautodiagnostics.com > Ford > 2.3L

Mar 1, 2012 - Spark plugs for cylinders #2 and #3 get spark at the exact same time. ...voltage -12 Volts) to both individual ignition coils within the coil pack. ... Ford Mustang or Ranger (or 2.3L Mazda B2300), this is what you'll need ... for this 'Switching Signal' at the coil pack... but you can also test this ... 1991, 1992, 1993.

How to Diagnose a Misfiring Cylinder (2.3L Ford Ranger ...

troubleshootmyvehicle.com > Ford > 2.3L

Apr 3, 2012 - Bad Fuel Injectors can cause a Misfire Condition. ... the ignition system on the 2.3L Ford Mustang or Ranger consists of 2 ignition coil packs, ...

2002 ranger misfire rough idle - Discussion on Topix

www.topix.com > Ford Ranger

Jul 27, 2007 - My truck is giving the code misfire in number 4 cyl. I replaced my spark plugs, Wires, Coil packs (both of them) and all my fuil ... three (3.0L v6) go bad, the fuel/air mixture gets messed up. Judged: 2. 2 ... My truck runs rough only at idle. ...code for ford ranger 2002, 2.3 5speed. truck runs like a champ but that ...

Extremely stumped! I need the best and brightest 1994 Ford ...

answers.edmunds.com > Edmunds Answers

Need to get a can of gumout and with it idling spray around the top of the upper plenum to see if you have a vacuum leak if you have a leak it will either idle up slightly or kill the engine very very common on the 3.0 Taurus ,little more information would be helpful like how many miles are on the car

What engine? 3.0 OHV or 3.0 DOHC

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i would check the plug wires and the coils you check the plug wires for bad spots at night start the motor up and look at the plugs if you see a spark arch out the wire and to a peace of metal then the plug wires need to be replace.

Try swapping the injector on that cylinder with the one next to it and see if the misfire changes to the other cylinder.If it does then you have a plugged or bad injector.It it still stays on that same cylinder then check compression on the number 6 cylinder.Let me know what you find out.Good luck.

If it's the 3.0L V6 Vulcan or Duratec engine the firing order is 1-4-2-5-3-6. The rear bank cylinder head is 1-3 with 1 on the passenger side and 3 on the driver's side. The front bank cylinder head is 4-6 with 4 on the passenger side and 6 on the driver's side.

The a/c makes it worse because you are asking the engine to pull a load missing one cylinder. If you have alternate transport or like working on a hot engine you can take number 3 wire to the autoparts and get one wire to match length. You may want 1 plug in case wire doesn't help.

Cylinders 2, 3 have coil packs change out located on back of motor. you will have to take the upper intake off to get to them. Very easy to do. #2 center plug on back of motor #3 is on drivers side of motor. Crank sensor you will have to remove tire on car passenager side next look at crank pulley on left side of block you will se two wires the heat cover running to it.
Change these first it might correct the O2 sensor problem.

the back side is from front(passenger side) of engine 1,2,3
front side is 4,5,6

Disconnect the battery completely, try turning the key with the battery disconnected. Put the battery back together. The check engine light should be off now..