Mustang 2003 check engine light on. Had diagnostic run at AutoZone and they gave me the following codes: p0316 and p0301. car skips like it wants to cut off. Can I still drive until I get it looked at with the ford dealer?

Search this link , you might find an answer .

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=93001

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

Best to read the codes first---code p0300 refers to random multiple cyl-- misfire detected causes-- spark plugs---HT leads--ignition coils--wiring.
code p0301 refers tocylinder 1-- misfire detected causes ---engine mechanical fault---wiring---ignition /fuel system ---injector---ECT/Maf sensor(Mass air flow) ECM.
code p0305 refers to cylinder 5 misfire detected causes ---same as 0301
code p0316 refers to misfire detected during start up -first 1000 rpms---causes--- engine mechanical fault---wiring----ignition/fuel system---injector. I would run a fuel system pressure pressure test as the common causes here is the fuel/injectors

PLEASE RATE THIS REPLY FOR ACCURACY

The first problem you have is assuming that the ignition coil is the only thing that can cause a misfire.

Diagnostic Test Code (DTC) P0316 is a "continuous memory only" code that indicates that there is a fault causing a misfire during the first 1000 revolutions of the crankshaft immediately after engine start-up. This should be accompanied by the regular cylinder misfire monitors (Codes P0301 through P0310) unless the misfire does not continue long enough for the regular misfire monitors to determine which cylinder is misfiring.

In order to determine what is actually causing the problem, you must have access to a scan tool that can perform Key On Engine Off (KOEO) fault testing and Key On Engine Running (KOER) fault testing as well as interfacing with the onboard engine computer to read live data and perform system tests.

Please note that generic OBD code readers DO NOT have the capabilities to do what you need to diagnose this problem. You will most likely get additional DTCs that can help lead you to find the source of the problem when KOEO and KOER tests are run. Generic OBD code readers can access only continuous memory DTCs.

Possibilities/conditions/systems that can cause this code are:
>Camshaft Position Sensor
>Low fuel: less than 1/8 tank
>Stuck open EGR Valve
>Blocked EGR passages
>Ignition system
>Fuel Injectors
>Fuel injector control circuits
>Running out of fuel
>EVAP canister purge valve
>Fuel Pressure
>Evaporative emissions system
>Base engine (mechanical) problems

2004 Marauder and 2003-2004 Mustang vehicles built before 12/19/2004 equipped with 4.6L 4V/5.4 4V engine may exhibit a runs rough, lacks power, and engine misfire, prompted by a MIL light and DTC codes P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, and P0316.
ACTION
Diagnose engine for engine misfire concern. If diagnostics determine an engine misfire which is characterized by leakage through exhaust valve(s), only replace the affected cylinder head(s).
SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH RUNS ROUGH/MISFIRE CONDITION:
1. Perform relative compression check on all cylinders. If abnormal, check cylinder leakage and actual compression for "low" cylinders refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00.
2. If leakage/compression check indicates a valve train concern, per valve train diagnostics in WSM, Section 303-00, replace cylinder head and cam assembly, pipe plugs and timing chain tensioner, per procedure outlined in WSM, Section 303-01.
3. If cylinder leakage and compression tests are inconclusive, perform misfire diagnostic, per TSB 05-22-8.

So

You should have it checked by a qualified tech. Auto zone dont do diagnostic repairs, they can only give you trouble codes.

The COPS (coils) may have shorted the drivers in the PCM (computer). You should get a misfire code for each cylinder misfiring though.

Slim possibility, but very expensive unless you have a service contract.
LINCOLN: 1999-2004 Navigator
2002-2003 Blackwood
2003-2005 Aviator MERCURY: 2003-2004 Marauder
ISSUE: Some 1999-2004 Navigator, 2002-2003 Blackwood, 2003-2005 Aviator, 2003-2004 Marauder and 2003-2004 Mustang vehicles built before 12/19/2004 equipped with 4.6L 4V/5.4 4V engine may exhibit a runs rough, lacks power, and engine misfire, prompted by a MIL light and DTC codes P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304, P0305, P0306, P0307, P0308, and P0316.
ACTION: Diagnose engine for engine misfire concern. If diagnostics determine an engine misfire which is characterized by leakage through exhaust valve(s), only replace the affected cylinder head(s).
SERVICE PROCEDURE FOR VEHICLES WITH RUNS ROUGH/MISFIRE CONDITION:

1. Perform relative compression check on all cylinders. If abnormal, check cylinder leakage and actual compression for "low" cylinders refer to Workshop Manual (WSM), Section 303-00.
2. If leakage/compression check indicates a valve train concern, per valve train diagnostics in WSM, Section 303-00, replace cylinder head and cam assembly, pipe plugs and timing chain tensioner, per procedure outlined in WSM, Section 303-01.
3. If cylinder leakage and compression tests are inconclusive, perform misfire diagnostic, per TSB 05-22-8. NOTE: DO NOT TRANSFER SPARK PLUGS. INSTALL NEW SPARK PLUGS IN REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD AND CAM ASSEMBLY. NOTE: THE ENGINE MISFIRE CONCERN IS TYPICALLY EXHIBITED ON THE LEFT HAND CYLINDER HEAD AND RARELY ON THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDER HEAD. UNLESS CONFIRMED, THE RIGHT HAND CYLINDER HEAD SHOULD NOT BE REPLACED AS AN "EXTRA MEASURE" SERVICE PRECAUTION. NOTE: THE REPLACEMENT CYLINDER HEAD WILL NOT IMPROVE OR REDUCE ENGINE HORSEPOWER OR TORQUE ABOVE ADVERTISED LEVELS.
   

P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected
P0316* - Engine misfire detected on Startup (First 1000 Revolutions) Could be a Bad Coil or bad spark plug or a bad wire on cylinder one. Check the plug and the wire first then move to the coil. Good Luck.

p0316
misfire detected during startup-first 1000 revolutions

p0301
cylinder no.1 misfire detected

There could be many issues. These codes read your engine is running too lean. Check : all your vacuum hoses for leaks, PCV valve and hose, MAF sensor. This may require an experienced technician to figure this out. Hopefully I help'd!!