Generation III External Engine LS1 | LS6 | Bolt-Ons | Intakes | Exhaust | Ignition | Accessories
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Misfire.. Computers Error or Bigger Problem?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 05:40 PM
  #1  
zac50's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Central Mississippi
Default Misfire.. Computers Error or Bigger Problem?

well as you can see in the title i have a misfire and i have no idea how to fix it. it only has the miss at an idle, above an ideal it is strong. the guy i bought the car from took all the emmissions off the engine and told me this was the reason the check engine light was on. Its always on and blinks when i truly punch it. I had a friend hook it up to a programmer and it said the miss was in the first cylinder so i changed the plug, wire, coil and all 02 sensors but it didnt fix the problem. I have been told to buy a programmer and clear all the codes and it should run smoothly again but im not sure if this is the correct thing to do and i dont wanna spend 500 bucks on a programmer and it not fix the problem.. if you could please give me some advice i would truly appreciate it!!

Thanks, Zac
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
'00_Z's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: holding down the couch
Default

I can't imagine how just clearing the codes will make it run better. Are all the plug wires tight?
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 08:32 PM
  #3  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

Injectors at rail-end positions tend to silt up first. You
can swap positions and see if the misfire moves.

All of these cars have some low rate random misfire
detects and some motor shake at idle, even new.
Note that "detect" is not necessarily a failure to fire.
Aftermarket converters really up the rate, so do cams.
What to look for is cylinder "imbalance" in the counts.
Or a single cylinder misfire code, which I guess you've
got.

Did you note down the codes before clearing? They
are usually trying to tell you something. Though what,
can be vague.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 08:37 PM
  #4  
99SSJarhead's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 549
Likes: 1
From: Deloit IA
Default

Originally Posted by '00_Z
I can't imagine how just clearing the codes will make it run better. Are all the plug wires tight?
A blinking SES light usually means the car has entered a "limp home" status meant to protect your engine. By clearing the code it takes your car out of this mode and so for a little bit your car seems to run normally. As soon as the code is thrown again though you just re-enter this mode.

OP, you could also check the IAT sensor in your lid. If it is bad or not connected properly it'll lead to misfires. You can also have autozone, napa, or some other auto store in your area pull and clear the codes. Most due it for free.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 08:51 PM
  #5  
'00_Z's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,458
Likes: 0
From: holding down the couch
Default

Originally Posted by 99SSJarhead
A blinking SES light usually means the car has entered a "limp home" status meant to protect your engine. By clearing the code it takes your car out of this mode and so for a little bit your car seems to run normally. As soon as the code is thrown again though you just re-enter this mode.
That's where I was leading, just didn't get it out in so many words.
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2011 | 10:27 PM
  #6  
zac50's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
 
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Central Mississippi
Default

Originally Posted by '00_Z
I can't imagine how just clearing the codes will make it run better. Are all the plug wires tight?
yes i made sure of this. im gonna run up to autozone tomorrow and get them to hook it up and see if its still throwing the same codes as the first time and ill see where to go from there.. thanks guys
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:23 PM.

story-0
10 Reasons Daily Driving a Swap Project SUCKS! (& 1 Reason to Do It Anyway)

Slideshow: 10 reasons daily-driving a swap project might not be for you. Or is it?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-17 09:39:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-2
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-18 10:26:23


VIEW MORE
story-3
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-5
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-6
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-7
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE