| DTC Code | DTC Name |
|---|---|
| P0300 | Random / Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected |
| P0301 | Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected |
| P0302 | Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected |
| P0303 | Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected |
| P0304 | Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected |
DESCRIPTION
When the engine misfires, high concentrations of hydrocarbons (HC) enter the exhaust gas. Extremely high HC concentration levels can cause an increase in exhaust emission levels. High concentrations of HC can also cause increases in the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) temperature, which may cause damage to the TWC. To prevent this increase in emissions and to limit the possibility of thermal damage, the ECM monitors the misfire rate. When the temperature of the TWC reaches the point of thermal degradation, the ECM blinks the MIL. To monitor misfires, the ECM uses both the Camshaft Position (CMP) sensor and the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor. The CMP sensor is used to identify any misfiring cylinders and the CKP sensor is used to measure variations in the crankshaft rotation speed. Misfires are counted when the crankshaft rotation speed variations exceed predetermined thresholds.
If the misfire exceeds the threshold levels, and could cause emission deterioration, the ECM illuminates the MIL and sets a DTC.
| DTC No. | DTC Detection Conditions | Trouble Areas |
|---|---|---|
| P0300 | Simultaneous misfiring of several cylinders detected (2 trip detection logic) |
|
| P0301 P0302 P0303 P0304 |
Misfiring of specific cylinder detected (2 trip detection logic) |
|
Tech Tips
When DTCs for misfiring cylinders are randomly set, but DTC P0300 is not set, misfires have been detected in different cylinders at different times. DTC P0300 is only set when several misfiring cylinders are detected at the same time.
With the engine idling, check the waveform between terminals #1 to #4 and E01 of the ECM connectors.
| Item | Contents |
| Terminals | #1 to #4 - E01 |
| Equipment Settings | 20 V/Division, 100 or 1 ms/Division |
| Conditions | Idling |
Tech Tips
The correct waveform is as shown below.
MONITOR DESCRIPTION
The ECM illuminates the MIL and sets a DTC when either one of the following conditions, which could cause emission deterioration, is detected (2 trip detection logic).
Within the first 4,000 crankshaft revolutions of the engine starting, an excessive misfiring rate (approximately 20 to 50 misfires per 4,000 crankshaft revolutions) occurs once.
After the first 4,000 crankshaft revolutions, an excessive misfiring rate (approximately 20 to 60 misfires per 4,000 crankshaft revolutions) occurs 4 times in sequential crankshaft revolutions.
The ECM flashes the MIL and sets a DTC when either one of the following conditions, which could cause the Three-Way Catalytic Converter (TWC) damage, is detected (2 trip detection logic).
In every 200 crankshaft revolutions at a high engine rpm, the threshold misfiring percentage is recorded once.
In every 200 crankshaft revolutions at a normal engine rpm, the threshold misfiring percentage is recorded 3 times.
CONFIRMATION DRIVING PATTERN
Connect an intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Turn the tester on.
Record the DTC(s) and freeze frame data.
Using the tester, switch the ECM from normal mode to check mode Click here.
Read the misfire counts of each cylinder (Cyl #1 to #4) with the engine in an idling condition. If any misfire count is displayed, skip the following confirmation driving pattern.
Drive the vehicle several times with the conditions, such as engine rpm and engine load, shown in Misfire RPM and Misfire Load in the Data List.
Tech Tips
In order to store misfire DTCs, it is necessary to drive the vehicle for the period of time shown in the table below, with the Misfire RPM and Misfire Load in the Data List.
| Engine RPM | Duration |
|---|---|
| Idling | 7 minutes or more |
| 1,000 | 4 minutes or more |
| 2,000 | 2 minutes or more |
| 3,000 | 1.5 minutes or more |
Check whether misfires have occurred by checking DTCs and freeze frame data.
Tech Tips
Do not turn the ignition switch to OFF until the stored DTC(s) and freeze frame data have been recorded.
When the ECM returns to normal mode (default), the stored DTC(s), freeze frame data and other data will be erased.
Record the DTC(s), freeze frame data and misfire counts.
Turn the ignition switch to OFF and wait for at least 5 seconds.
INSPECTION PROCEDURE
Tech Tips
If any DTCs other than the misfire DTCs are output, troubleshoot those DTCs first.
Read freeze frame data using the intelligent tester. Freeze frame data records the engine condition when malfunctions are detected. When troubleshooting, freeze frame data can help determine if the vehicle was moving or stationary, if the engine was warmed up or not, if the air fuel ratio was lean or rich, and other data from the time the malfunction occurred.
If the misfire does not recur when the vehicle is brought to the workshop, reproduce the conditions stored in the freeze frame data.
The misfire still cannot be reproduced even though the conditions stored in the freeze frame data have been duplicated, one of the following factors is considered to be a possible cause of the problem:
The fuel tank is low full.
Improper fuel is used.
The spark plugs have been contaminated.
The problem is complex.
After finishing repairs, check the misfire counts of the cylinders (Cyl #1, #2, #3, and #4).
Be sure to confirm that no misfiring cylinder DTCs are set again by conducting the confirmation driving pattern, after repairs.
For 6 and 8 cylinder engines, the ECM intentionally does not set the specific misfiring cylinder DTCs at high engine RPM. If misfires occur only in high engine RPM areas, only DTC P0300 is set.
In the event of DTC P0300 being present, perform the following operations:
Clear the DTC Click here.
Start the engine and conduct the confirmation driving pattern.
Read the misfiring rates of each cylinder or DTC(s) using the tester or scan tool.
Repair the cylinder(s) that has a high misfiring rate or is indicated by the DTC.
After finishing repairs, conduct the confirmation driving pattern again, in order to verify that DTC P0300 is not set.
When one of Short FT #1 or Long FT #1 in the freeze frame data is outside the range of +-20 %, the air-fuel ratio may be rich (-20 % or less) or lean (+20 % or more).
When the Coolant Temp in the freeze frame data is less than 75°C (167°F), the misfires have occurred only while warming up the engine.
PROCEDURE
CHECK ANY OTHER DTCS OUTPUT (IN ADDITION TO MISFIRE DTCS)
Connect an intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Turn the tester on.
Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / DTC.
Read DTCs.
| Result | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tech Tips
If any DTCs other than P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303 and P0304 are output, troubleshoot those DTCs first.
| B |
|
GO TO DTC CHART |
| A |
|
READ VALUE USING INTELLIGENT TESTER (MISFIRE RPM AND MISFIRE LOAD)
Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON and turn the tester on.
Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Data List / Misfire RPM and Misfire Load.
Read and note the Misfire RPM and Misfire Load (engine load) values.
Tech Tips
The Misfire RPM and Misfire Load indicate the vehicle conditions under which the misfire occurred.
| NEXT |
|
CHECK PCV HOSE
Check the PCV hose connections.
| OK |
|---|
| PCV hose is connected correctly and is not damaged. |
| NG |
|
REPAIR OR REPLACE PCV HOSE |
| OK |
|
CHECK MISFIRE COUNT (CYL #1, #2, #3 AND #4)
Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Turn the tester on.
Clear DTCs Click here.
Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Data List / Cylinder #1 Misfire Count (Cyl #1, #2, #3 and #4).
Allow the engine to idle.
Read each value of Cyl #1 to #4 displayed on the tester. If no misfire counts occur in any cylinders, perform the following operations:
Shift the gear selector lever to the D position.
Repeat steps (e) to (g) above.
Check the Cyl #1 to #4.
If misfire counts are still not displayed, perform steps (h) and (i) and then check the misfire counts again.
Drive the vehicle with the Misfire RPM and Misfire Load noted in step 2.
Read the Cyl #1 to #4 or DTCs displayed on the tester.
| Result | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| B |
|
CHECK AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM Click here |
| A |
|
CHECK SPARK PLUG
Check the spark plug of the misfiring cylinder Click here.
| NG |
|
REPLACE SPARK PLUG |
| OK |
|
CHECK SPARK AND IGNITION
Disconnect the fuel injector connectors in order to prevent the engine from starting.
Install the spark plug to the ignition coil.
Attach the spark plug assembly to the cylinder head cover.
Crank the engine for less than 2 seconds and check the spark.
| OK |
|---|
| Sparks jump across electrode gap |
Reconnect the fuel injector connectors.
| NG |
|
CHANGE NORMAL SPARK PLUG AND CHECK SPARK Click here |
| OK |
|
CHECK CYLINDER COMPRESSION PRESSURE
Measure the cylinder compression pressure of the misfiring cylinder.
| OK |
|
INSPECT ECM TERMINAL OF MISFIRING CYLINDER (#1, #2, #3 AND/OR #4 VOLTAGE) Click here |
| NG |
|
CHECK ENGINE TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF LOW COMPRESSION
CHANGE NORMAL SPARK PLUG AND CHECK SPARK
Change the installed spark plug to a spark plug that functions normally.
Perform a spark test.
CAUTION:
Always disconnect each fuel injector connector.
Note
Do not crank the engine for more than 2 seconds.
Install the spark plug to the ignition coil and connect the ignition coil connector.
Disconnect the fuel injector connector.
Ground the spark plug.
Check if sparks occur while the engine is being cranked.
| OK |
|---|
| Sparks jump across electrode gap. |
| NG |
|
REPLACE IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLY |
| OK |
|
REPLACE SPARK PLUG
INSPECT ECM TERMINAL OF MISFIRING CYLINDER (#1, #2, #3 AND/OR #4 VOLTAGE)
| *a | Component with wire harness connected (ECM) |
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Measure the voltage between the terminals of the ECM connector.
| Voltage | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| OK |
|
CHECK FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY Click here |
| NG |
|
CHECK HARNESS AND CONNECTOR (FUEL INJECTOR - ECM)
| *a | Front view of wire harness connector (to Fuel Injector) |
| *b | Rear view of wire harness connector (to ECM) |
Disconnect the fuel injector connector (of the misfiring cylinder).
Disconnect the ECM connectors.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Measure the resistance and voltage according to the value(s) in the table below.
| Standard (Cylinder No.1) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Standard (Cylinder No.2) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Standard (Cylinder No.3) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Standard (Cylinder No.4) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Reconnect the fuel injector connector.
Reconnect the ECM connector.
| NG |
|
REPAIR OR REPLACE HARNESS OR CONNECTOR |
| OK |
|
CHECK FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY
Check the fuel injector injection (whether fuel volume is high or low, and whether injection pattern is poor).
| NG |
|
REPLACE FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY |
| OK |
|
CHECK VALVE CLEARANCE
Check the valve clearance.
| NG |
|
ADJUST VALVE CLEARANCE |
| OK |
|
CHECK AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM
Check the air induction system for vacuum leakage.
| OK |
|---|
| No leakage from air induction system. |
| NG |
|
REPAIR OR REPLACE AIR INDUCTION SYSTEM |
| OK |
|
CHECK VALVE TIMING
Check the valve timing Click here.
| NG |
|
ADJUST VALVE TIMING |
| OK |
|
CHECK FUEL PRESSURE
Check the fuel pressure.
| NG |
|
CHECK AND REPLACE FUEL PUMP, PRESSURE REGULATOR, FUEL PIPE LINE AND FILTER |
| OK |
|
READ VALUE USING INTELLIGENT TESTER (COOLANT TEMP)
Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Turn the tester on.
Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Data List / Coolant Temp.
Read the Coolant Temp twice, when the engine is both cold and warmed up.
| Standard |
|---|
| With cold engine |
| Same as ambient air temperature. |
| With warm engine |
| Between 75°C and 95°C (167°F and 203°F). |
| NG |
|
REPLACE ENGINE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR |
| OK |
|
READ VALUE USING INTELLIGENT TESTER (MAF)
Connect the intelligent tester to the DLC3.
Turn the ignition switch to ON.
Turn the tester on.
Enter the following menus: Powertrain / Engine and ECT / Data List / MAF and Coolant Temp.
Allow the engine to idle until the Coolant Temp reaches 75°C (167°F) or more.
Read the MAF with the engine in an idling condition and at an engine speed of 2,500 rpm.
| Standard |
|---|
| MAF while engine idling |
| Between 2.0 gm/s and 4.5 gm/s (shift position: N, A/C: OFF). |
| MAF at engine speed of 2,500 rpm |
| Between 8.0 gm/s and 14.7 gm/s (shift position: N, A/C: OFF). |
| NG |
|
REPLACE INTAKE AIR FLOW METER SUB-ASSEMBLY |
| OK |
|
CHECK FOR INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS