weak 3rd cylinder

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ffemtcurrence

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my 3rd cylinder is weak...i took my spark plugs out and plugs 1,4,5,6 the tip of the plug was white like extreme heat was applied, and on cylinder 3 it was wet, so i cleaned it, checked all the gaps and made sure the spark plug actually sparked..my car throws out to rich code then a to lean code, and it wont register the "goose" test....i just dont have the power in my car anymore...any suggestions
 

hawkeye18

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for the goose test, you have to slam the throttle to the floor. The sole purpose of the goose test is to test the knock sensor.

After the KOER test is done, push the throttle lightly for just a second, and the car should (if you did it right) enter the cylinder balace test. It will cut spark out to each individual cylinder in turn and look for the RPM drop that doing that should cause. If it doesn't see that RPM drop, the cylinder was bad (not producing power) in the first place, and it will set a code. See if that helps. FWIW, the only things that can be wrong are spark, fuel, and air... sounds like a combination of the former two. Do you have a compression tester? Is your coolant system working right? Are your O2s shot? (that will cause a LOT of problems) Are your cats plugged? So many things to check... start with the CB test.
 

ffemtcurrence

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things lok like they're getting worse

update more codes popping up.....

118-ECT sensor is/was high or open (what is ect)
121-Throttle Position sensor out of range
211-Ignition PIP signal was erractic or missing (whats pip)
181-Fuel system was lean at idle Single, Right or Rear H02S
172-O2 sensor not switching-system is or was lean-Single, Right or Rear H02S

-ok i need new O2 sensers i know..but whats the deal with all the other codes im at a total loss and any otherhelp will be GREATLY apprciated:hail::salute::hail::salute::hail:
 

hawkeye18

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Alright, as promised...

ECT = Engine Coolant Temperature. This code means that your coolant temp sensor is shot, which means the computer doesn't know what temp the engine is at, which means it will run pig rich all the time as a safety precaution. This is why your car runs like crap.

The ECT is a little brass plug sensor located right about where the airbox is on the engine. If you look right below where the upper radiator hose goes into the engine, you should be able to see two sensors. The one to the left of the hose is the temp gauge sending unit - it's what tells you what the temp is on the dash cluster. To the right of that hose, and tucked away a little, is the coolant sensor. It is easy to replace... once you drain the coolant system and remove the airbox. Both are easy to do if you have the proper tools. To replace the ECT you will need teflon tape and a 1" deepwell socket. I would recommend replacing that temp sender as well (it's the one with one threaded thing sticking out) cos they go bad occasionally as well.

And while you're in there, you might as well replace that thermostat, which is probably bad as well.

As for the 121, that means your throttle position sensor (TPS) may be bad. The TPS is located right on the throttle body, across from the spring assembly. two phillips screws or bolts and it's out. And it's cheap. Replace it.

The 211 is the big whopper. PIP stands for Profile Ignition Pickup, and that's your Crankshaft Position Sensor, or CPS/CKP. This is where you start to understand why we say child protective services is comin' after you! :rofl: anyway, this is bad, as it means your CPS is going out on you. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of write-ups on how to change your CPS out, but the best one IMHO is right here: http://www.shophoenixproject.com. Read and be knowledgeable!

And you said you know about the O2 sensor already, but make sure you go get a O2 socket from a parts store, or you will be cursing the day you tried to get at it!

Hope this helps.
 

ffemtcurrence

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thanks a bunch...yea im really not looking forward taking apart the side of my engine...but i guess this is better now than later...i gotta replace the water pump as well and timing belt and everything again thanks for the help:)
 

hawkeye18

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Just be careful, go nice n slow... and make sure you take lots of pictures so you can remember where everything goes back to... there are lots of different bolts that are different lengths!
 

AREA 91

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Do as much as you can afford as far as the 60K goes. More work now = less work later.;)
 
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