hesitating

[SHO Timer]

I took my car to Auto Zone to get it analyzed and they said my SHO is misfiring in the right cylinder. What exactly does that mean? burn_out

 

[Rob94]

??? Are you sure they didn't say the right bank? Regardless, it could be any number of things. A bad plug, plug wire or coil pack. We need more information.

 

[SHOZ123]

Well if it was the coil it would be missing on at least two cylinders one on each bank.

 

[projectSHO89]

Post the exact codes they extracted.

If you rely on the sales person at AZ for a diagnosis, you will have to consider the person's skills and abilities who is giving the diagnosis.

While there are real mechanincs and knowledgeable enthusiasts who do work in retail auto parts stores, your odds of getting this person to look at your car are greatly outweighed by the number of sales personnel who are more properly classified as a sales clerk. Many of these folks are conscientious in their work, but simply do not have the training or experience to analyze the codes they have extracted. If you have managed to find a really knowledgeable indiviual at AZ, make sure the manager knows that you are happy that person is there to assist customers.

Also, it is helpful if you identify the year etc of your car. Your signature is a good place for this.

Steve

<small>[ November 02, 2002, 11:18 AM: Message edited by: projectSHO89 ]</small>

 

[rangerj]

A "misfire" is when a fuel/air charge in a cylinder is not ignighted. This can be due to a bad spark plug, a bad plug wire, and/or a failure to send a spark through the wire and plug from the coil. This should cause a code to be stored.

The other possibility could be a faulty fuel injector that is not allowing a spray of fuel, or too little fuel, to be put into the cylinder.

With the car running you can put a long screwdriver up against each fuel injector, and the other end at your ear, and be able to hear the injector "clicking" as it opens and closes.

If the injector is not clicking it has either failed, or is not getting electricity. The electrical connection can be checked with a "NOID" light. These are a couple of bucks at an auto parts store.

The NOID light is plugged into the injector's wire harness and should flash with the electrical current, while the engine is running (do not do this for long periods). If the light does not flash, you have an electrical problem. This should cause a code to be stored.

See the post regarding the testing of the coil pack. Check the service manual for your model year for the resistance test values for your plug wires. However, common sense should dictate that old plug wires, and plugs, be replaced. rangerj