Misfire issue

I have a 2002 Ford Windstar with 125k miles. I have experienced issues with CEL going on and TRAC / ABS / BRAKE lights on and off for a long time. I developed an issue with the engine misfiring and engine running terrible - no power, hesitation - LONG time to increase speed and engine misfiring - acting like it is running on only a few cylinders. I have added fuel system cleaner, replaced the spark plugs and spark plug wires. No imporvement. I had the engine checked and was told cylinders #3 and #4 are not firing (not getting spark). They suspect a bad PCM, since they could not get electrical signal to the coil pack. Is it more commmon for the coil pack to go bad - over the PCM? Should I replace the coil pack? I read I can check the wire (#1) from the PCM (which sends signal to coil pack for #3 and #4) to see if there is any signal - should I do this before replacing the coil pack? I find it hard to believe the PCM would go bad. I do not see any water damage on the wires at the PCM and dont see and damaged or disconnected wires. By the way, I tried to get TWO automotive supply businesses to try to find a CODE but they were unable to get ANY code from the plug in control input, located underneath the steering wheel.

I would first pull the intake plenum and clean the EGR ports. Also remove coil pack and look for tiny hairline cracks on the bottom. It's a common failure item so you could always try another to see if that fixes the problem.

I think the PCM is bullet-proof ... of course, if a mechanic can't find a problem elsewhere ... why not blame the 'puter!

I pulled the coil pack and replaced it. It SOLVED the issue! the coil pack DID have small craks on the base of the unit.


I would first pull the intake plenum and clean the EGR ports. Also remove coil pack and look for tiny hairline cracks on the bottom. It's a common failure item so you could always try another to see if that fixes the problem.[/quote]

That may be accurate........since the coil pack was the issue in my case. I also found it hard to believe the PCM was the culprite. It was not.


I think the PCM is bullet-proof ... of course, if a mechanic can't find a problem elsewhere ... why not blame the 'puter!

I pulled the coil pack and replaced it. It SOLVED the issue! the coil pack DID have small craks on the base of the unit.


Great! I highly doubt anyone that still has one of these vans is on their original coil pack. I'm on my 2nd. 12ounce is probably on his 8th by now. (heh.)

Actually I am on my original one...! But theres a story behind it. When I was looking for the engine vibration that turned out to be the harmonic balancer I did replaced the Spark Plug Wires & Ignition Coil Replacement on 02/19/08 @ 51819 miles trying o fix the problem.

I kept the original since the Coil wasn't the problem after all, and then I had the original Ignition Coil put back on 08/20/11 @ 84590 miles, when the cheap replacement actually developed a crack on the casing.

The van is at 108K now, so it's been about 75K on my original Coil now

Yeah, I'm probably on my fourth one ... but I may have lost count! I THINK I get about 75k - 100k per each.