Misfire Problem

Hey all,

I've been reading through this forum to find someone who's had the same problem I have, but can't find any exactly like it... so here's the deal:

I have a 2002 Grand Am SE 2.2L L4 with about 86k miles. The problem appeared literally overnight. It ran fine when I drove it to work, then the problem appeared when I started it up after my shift. The problem isn't intermittent like other similar problems I've read on this forum. The car has a rough idle and the exhaust smells like gas. The Service Engine Soon light blinks and Trac Off light is on. I scanned the computer and it gave me two P0300 codes (I don't know if two seperate P0300 codes mean anything or if it was just a glitch). I've replaced the catalytic converter, the spark plugs and the coil pack. My next idea was to replace the ignition control module, but decided to ask here first before throwing anymore money at it. :banghead:

If any other information is needed, I'd be happy to give it. Thanks!

Bet its the injectors are dirty or going bad.
May also check you Crankshaft position sensor.

Did you clear the P0300 code?
The SES light probley wont go off unless its cleared with a scanner tool. But......

My 99' SE done this the other day, and I hav fairly New injectors/plugs/wires etc. The SES was triped from a misfire, P0303(which is cylinder 3, I always get this same code).

I cleared the code, and it poped right back on, so I let it ride a couple day. Last night I filled up with gas and threw in some Lucas Oil Injector cleaner and about 10mins of driving the SES just went out on its own. :screwy:

So you might try some Lucas oil Injector cleaner, stuff works pretty damn good!! Hopefull that'll clear it up, without replacing the injectors or any other parts.
Manualy cleaning the injectors works best, but you'll need to remove them .

Not sure with your 2002, on our 1994 Pontiac Grand Am, it was the Ignition Coil Housing. It's where the ICM, Ignition coils sits. You might want to try to do the cheapest thing first like someone suggested to try to clean the fuel injector. I would always do the cheapest first and then go to the expensive parts, replacing the spark plugs is fine. I would have not done the catalytic converter first though.

The P0300 code is random multiple misfires. It can be related to a number of things. Bad plugs, bad wires, bad coils, bad ignition module or bad injectors or even bad ECM. The first place to start is with the plugs and wires. If they are bad then the gas will not burn properly and it will smell like it is flooding. Since you replaced the plugs, the wires may be bad and causing the car to misfire. A bad ignition module can cause misfires but it usually will cause the car not to start. They are expensive so you may want to try a used one to see if it corrects the problem. A dirty fuel filter can cause the fuel pressure to be low and then the injectors won't work properly so you may want to replace it if you haven't changed it in a while.

Finally, the advise from Xeroinifinity is good in that a good quality fuel injector cleaner will help. If they are very dirty then a professional cleaning will help to clean them. I dont think that the ECM is the issue or you would have other issues. I hope this helps!

Good Luck and Welcome to AF!!!

Thanks for the advice guys!

Replaced the Ignition Control Module with a used one and it ran perfectly.

Thanks for the advice guys!

Replaced the Ignition Control Module with a used one and it ran perfectly

I forgot to mention coils,
but thats great you got it fixed! :thumbsup: