96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire

budward · 03-19-2007, 02:58 PM

My 96 keeps flashing the ses light and at Autozone it reads cyl 4 misfire. It idles rough but the misfire goes away with hard acceleration or if the rpm's stay up like when I hold in 3rd gear instead of Drive.. Gas mileage is way down also.
I have changed plugs, wires and coil pack.Could someone tell me other things I should check and in what order to check them. Too strapped to go to a garage.
Thanks...Bud

wolfman · 03-19-2007, 04:23 PM

Poor compression and / a clogged fuel injector in that cylinder can also generate that code. Please also tell me you are NOT using platinum spark plugs..

budward · 03-19-2007, 04:31 PM

thanks wolfman,
NO platinum plugs for me!
Wouldn't the two problems you described make poor performance all the time instead of low rpm?

hardisk_c · 03-20-2007, 02:42 AM

I suspect the miss is probably still there at the higher RPMS, but the torque gap is smaller so it seems to be running better. Wolfman's advice sounds on. . . next step would be to check the wiring to the injectors and perhaps swap the #4 injector with another and see if the miss follows. If it does, you have an injector issue, if not, see if you don't know anyone who could do a compression test for you in exchange for a 6-pack

v3rs3 · 03-20-2007, 08:23 AM

It's not typical and normally happens during a cylinder 1 misfire, but you can try to spray some brake cleaner on the back of your head towards the intake gasket. These sometimes warp and can be causing a misfire. If it starts to run differently when you spray, you have a bad intake gasket.

blackeagle1 · 03-20-2007, 12:04 PM

I would get a compression test. It sounds like the way mine was acting when I had a bent valve and was also setting a misfire code.

budward · 03-22-2007, 01:29 AM

thanks for the input.
I will try the brake cleaner and change injectors around when I get a chance.Compression test if all else fails.

Bigdaddy94sc2 · 03-22-2007, 03:46 AM

Compression test first.... I would almost bet you will find your problem there first....

wolfman · 03-22-2007, 09:41 AM

His car is a 96' with the ALUMINUM INTAKE MANIFOLD. These are NOT prone to the vacuum and coolent leaks that the POS PLASTIC ONES used in the LATE 99' - 02' model years have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hardisk_c

I suspect the miss is probably still there at the higher RPMS, but the torque gap is smaller so it seems to be running better. Wolfman's advice sounds on. . . next step would be to check the wiring to the injectors and perhaps swap the #4 injector with another and see if the miss follows. If it does, you have an injector issue, if not, see if you don't know anyone who could do a compression test for you in exchange for a 6-pack

That is EXACTLY how I would proceed. (Nice job)

budward · 03-22-2007, 11:00 PM

Thanks to all that responded!
I have 3 jobs so will let everyone know how it turns out when I get the time to start checking stuff

03-19-2007, 02:58 PM	#1
budward Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 37 1996 SL2	96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire My 96 keeps flashing the ses light and at Autozone it reads cyl 4 misfire. It idles rough but the misfire goes away with hard acceleration or if the rpm's stay up like when I hold in 3rd gear instead of Drive.. Gas mileage is way down also. I have changed plugs, wires and coil pack.Could someone tell me other things I should check and in what order to check them. Too strapped to go to a garage. Thanks...Bud

03-19-2007, 04:23 PM	#2
wolfman Super Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 12,066 wolfman's Photos	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire Poor compression and / a clogged fuel injector in that cylinder can also generate that code. Please also tell me you are NOT using platinum spark plugs.. ... Old Saturns never die, people KILL them, so check your damn oil! "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein

03-19-2007, 04:31 PM	#3
budward Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 37 1996 SL2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire thanks wolfman, NO platinum plugs for me! Wouldn't the two problems you described make poor performance all the time instead of low rpm?

03-20-2007, 08:23 AM	#5
v3rs3 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 56 1994 SL2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire It's not typical and normally happens during a cylinder 1 misfire, but you can try to spray some brake cleaner on the back of your head towards the intake gasket. These sometimes warp and can be causing a misfire. If it starts to run differently when you spray, you have a bad intake gasket.

03-20-2007, 12:04 PM	#6
blackeagle1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oxford, MI Posts: 1,133 blackeagle1's Photos 2000 SL2 1997 SC2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire I would get a compression test. It sounds like the way mine was acting when I had a bent valve and was also setting a misfire code. ... Current Fleet: 97 Black Gold SC2 Manual 97 Silver SC2 Auto 98 White SL2 Auto 00 Silver SL2 Auto 03 Pontiac Montana 00 Yamaha SUV1200 Waverunner

03-20-2007, 02:42 AM	#4
hardisk_c Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 46 hardisk_c's Photos 1996 SL2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire I suspect the miss is probably still there at the higher RPMS, but the torque gap is smaller so it seems to be running better. Wolfman's advice sounds on. . . next step would be to check the wiring to the injectors and perhaps swap the #4 injector with another and see if the miss follows. If it does, you have an injector issue, if not, see if you don't know anyone who could do a compression test for you in exchange for a 6-pack

03-22-2007, 01:29 AM	#7
budward Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 37 1996 SL2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire thanks for the input. I will try the brake cleaner and change injectors around when I get a chance.Compression test if all else fails.

03-22-2007, 03:46 AM	#8
Bigdaddy94sc2 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Anderson, SC (Clemson) Posts: 1,543 Bigdaddy94sc2's Photos 2006 ION-2 Sedan 2005 VUE 3.5L	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire Compression test first.... I would almost bet you will find your problem there first.... ... GM, Saturn, and ASE certified Technician. Always glad to try to help, just ask!!! Now own an 06 ION.2 as of 7/2/06 with 2988 and counting (7/28/06) 13131 as of (1/8/07) 24901 as of (7/30/07)

03-22-2007, 11:00 PM	#10
budward Junior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 37 1996 SL2	Re: 96 SL2 - cylinder 4 misfire Thanks to all that responded! I have 3 jobs so will let everyone know how it turns out when I get the time to start checking stuff

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