Multiple misfires help!?

Question

I have a '96 dodge caravan (3.3L V6) and it recently started having problems stuttering real bad about a half hour into driving it. It does every time the same time. Put it on the computer and it read 'Mulitple misfires'. Checked plugs and wires, everything seems alright. I need a step by step way to troubleshoot this problem, don't have the money to have a mech do it for me

Answer 1

I'm assuming you got a P0300 Random Cylinder Misfire code. Did you get any other codes, particularly P0301-06? Those codes will tell you specifically which cylinders are misfiring, which can help with the diagnosis immensely.

As with any misfire the things to check after you know which cylinder(s) are misfiring is to check spark and fuel. Are you getting good voltage out of the coils? Are all of the misfiring cylinders firing from the same coil? How about the injectors? Are they switching normally?

Answer 2

There are several problems common this this year and engine. Just starters are the coil pack, crank sensor, and cam sensor. Also fuel pump can do this as well. Just because all the wires and plugs "seem" right they might not be. If old change them. Multiple misfires has to be something "common" to all the plugs or cylinders and that would be cap, rotor, coil, or the items I mentioned above. My best guess of where to start. Look for spark tracking at night on the coil, and also the Chrysler coils often have a grey streak down the side where the coil has been tracking fire. Module itself can cause this as well. Will have to be put on an actual scanner to check all the functions with it running if not obvious checking the other parts I am thinking???? Anybody else got leads on this one????

Answer 3

Well you had started out ok, with engine and such. But failed to mention mileage on motor. Also, besides checking plugs and wires, did you actually replace them? If so, then its more and likely the ignition module. First do the tune up though. Replace plugs and wires, if you have more than 100,000 miles on the van. good luck.

Answer 4

check your spark plug wires for a light show.. run your van while the engine compartment is dark.no lights and see if the sparkplug wires are leaking.. I bet u they are..tune it up from the plugs up til u can't but anything. I din't know if u have a distributor.