question about cylinder misfire

[summerlove0022]

hi newbie here. I have a 2000 elantra automatic. anyways check engine light came on. went to auto zone. the test said cylinder 2 misfired. The kid told me to get a tune up. Is that all I need? and he tried to get the check engine light off and he said the machine he had wasn't working right? So is it still misfiring? it doesn't feel like it. PLease someone help.. my dealer was gonna charge me 65 just to tell me what this kid told me... like to repair on my own if possible.... thanks for any info

[Tugger5000]

For a few dollars more than what the dealer would charge you for a diagnostic, you can replace the plugs and wires...
You're probably due and if it doesn't fix the problem, than you will probably have to take it to the dealership anyway... once you get there, they will charge you to replace it any way.

[tibby01]

what was the code number? if the new spark plugs and wires dont fix it, you might need to get a new fuel injector.

get me the exact code number and i can help more.

[summerlove0022]

ok.. the code was p0302 the whole sheet says
cylinder 3
misfire detected

dtc pending (codes)
no faults detected

and how will i know if the tune up fixs it? it doesn't seem to be misfiring now. but i was told the check engine light wil stay on til the code gets erased. and why would it cost more then 65 $ a tune up here is roughly 40? little confused there. thanks both of you

[express2]

Unhook the battery for about 1 minute and this will kill the engine codes. If the engine codes come back you still have a problem. I don't know how many miles you have on it but plugs,wires,and fuel filter sure gave mine a new lease on life!

[Edited by express2 on Sep 14, 2004 11:31 PM]

[Tugger5000]

Originally posted by summerlove0022
[body]
why would it cost more then 65 $ a tune up here is roughly 40? little confused there. thanks both of you
[/body]

Misfires are usually due to a faulty plug or wire. Because you haven't told us when the last time the plugs/wires were changed, we're assuming that the most likely cause of the problem are those components. On a 2000, you're are definitely due for wires if you haven't changed them out already. Plugs should be place once a year if you're not running platnum or some other specialty plug.
If you buy a decent set of wires and plugs, you're looking at 50$ for wires and 10$ for plugs and could probably solve the problem on your own.
After you clear the CEL by disconnecting the battery, pressing the brakes, if it appears again after replacing the wires/plugs, you have another problem that may not be as obvious, but if you take it to any place to be repaired, they won't rake you over the coals with the cost of parts/labor for replacing the plugs and wires because you've already done it.

[summerlove0022]

ok I have 50,440 miles and i just bought my car jan1 2004 so i haven't changed any wires or stuff like that.. what kind of wires and plugs is recommended? I was told for both it would only be $30 but maybe them aren't very good ones. Also the guy that ran the diagnostic told me he wouldn't just unplug the battery to reset the codes. Does anyone have any idea why? thanks again all

[express2]

My missfire was picked up on cylinders 1,3,4 as well throttle position sensor fault, so I knew I had more than a plugs & wires problem. I replaced the plugs and wires as they were due for replacement (my plug gap was very excessive due too wear) car still ran like crap. I replaced the trottle position sensor and still ran like crap. I finally got the car running great after unplugging the battery and resetting the codes, as I checked with my mechanic and he confirmed the possibility of the computer putting the motor in a "limp home mode". I haven't had a missfire since and it's been about 2 weeks!

[Edited by express2 on Sep 16, 2004 1:36 AM]