I own a 2001 Dodge Caravan 2.4L 4Cyl Motor. The Check Engine Light came on, Stays on Steady days at a time and then occassionally on cold days and or while in park or nuetral the light will blink and then go back to steady. Today I stopped by the nearest auto parts store and had them hook it up to a computer and scan for codes. After the scan the guy cleared the check engine light and it has stayed off for about 3 hours since and still hasnt re-appeared. The code that came up was: P0303 (which I was told is a misfire in cyclinder 3). When the check engine light is off the van idles smooth when the light comes on it idles ruff. Could this be something as simple as a spark plug?
The spark plugs are less than 6 months old and so are the wires. The last time I had an oil change I felt like the guy added to much oil, does anybody think that maybe the spark plug is cyclinder 3 is fouled or could it be something more serious?
I also wanted to mention that, about 3 weeks ago I added a fuel line cleaner to the gas tank with very little gas which was stupid I know, being that those cleaners require you to gave a half tank or more. Upon doing that 20 minutes later the check engine light came on. I thought I ruined a sensor or something but like I said above when I got the codes ran only the code P0303 came back which means a misfire in cylinder 3....
Can anyone give me any type of advice or help or atleast point me in the right direction?
I use this van for A LOT of out of state trips and I dont want to get stranded.
Thanks in advance.
Ok a P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected is a hard code meaning your problem is not intermetent,if you all ready changed the spark plugs and wires,the next step is to check the injector for the #3 cylinder,also if you can try using another ignition coil,check the crank position sensor and last try moving the plugs aroud to see if the code changes or if you get a new one,i dont think you will be stranded but the engine performance is crapy.
IN REF. TO YOUR MISFIRE CARAVAN QUESTION:
I HAVE A 2002 SPORT MODEL, WAS RUNNING PERFECTLY AND BEGAN TO MISFIRE TERRIBLY ONE MORNING IT WAS TURNED ON. WE REPLACED SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES WITH ORIGINAL MOPAR PARTS. THE MISFIRE WENT AWAY FOR A SHORT TIME, THE MINIVAN WAS PARKED IN OUR HOME GARAGE, IN THE MORNING, BEGAN TO MISFIRE AGAIN. OUR NEXT STEP IS THE CRAN SENSOR, SINCE THERE ARA NO CODES, NO CHECK ENGINES, WHEN THE CRAN SENSOR STARTS TO GO BAD, IT CAN CREATE A MISFIRE EFFECT. NON THE LESS, SINCE THE VAN WE'VE HAD IT FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS, AND WHEN THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRE WERE CHANGED, WE DISCOVED THAT THEY WERE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS AND NEEDE CHANGING ANYWAY. SO NO BIG LOSS THERE, PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES WITH THE CRAN SENSOR. ALSO, GOOD LUCK, HOPE THAT HELPS.
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I personally have the exact same motor and vehicle as my wifes car.If it was too much oil it usually causes multiple misfires on more than one cylinder.You may have a sticking injector, or the the coil pack could be goin bad but I would suggest checking the wires although they are new for a metal end loose also the plugs.Also retreat your fuel system but this time with correct amount of fuel.I would also before going past those few things clear codes and see if code comes back.Another thing I found that occured with mine was the throttle body plate where the air filter hoose connects gets pretty black and nasty,I cleaned it up with some throttle body cleaner and it ran great. These few tips should help you.
It probably is as simple as a spark plug or wire (can be defective out of the box, or installed improperly (wire not on the plug all the way... etc), distributor cap/rotor, or coil pack (depending on the type of ignition system)
Check this website for more details on your code
http://www.obd-codes.com/p0303
I don't believe the fuel line cleaner would have created the problem, but yet again there is a very small chance it could have burned an injector or oxygen sensor or just fouled up the spark plug...
I'd start with the basic (plugs, wires, cap, rotor (if the engine has a distributor) or check the coil packs (if it is distributorless ignition)
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any tips on how to clean the spark plug wire connectors...like the best way or safe things to clean them with?
I got code P0303 for misfire in cylinder 3.
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