96 Escort runs rough

New plugs and wires, new coil pack, keeps throwing a code that number 3 cylinder miss fire. Not sure what else to try. Any ideas?

Thanks

New plugs and wires, new coil pack, keeps throwing a code that number 3 cylinder miss fire. Not sure what else to try. Any ideas?

Thanks

A cylinder specific misfire indicates that either compression, appropriate fuel mixture, or spark is missing. Start with a visual inspection, looking for a vacuum leak near the cylinder. A defective PCV valve with it's inlet near the #3 cylinder could cause a lean condition. Check the compression on the target cylinder to insure that the engine is mechanically sound. Use a stethoscope to listen to the injector on the cylinder. Listen for distinctive clicks and compare to enother cylinder. I use a length of hose to the ear to check injectors. A misfire is not solely an ignition problem.

I had rough running '97 problem and here's what I found. It kept giving me p0304 code, which was #4 cylinder misfire. It was intermittent and I could not attribute it to anything such as when the engine was hot or cold. Mechanic told me that it could be coil pack grounding out, but before I changed it, I thought I would wiggle some of the vacuum lines while the engine was at idle and having it's intermittent misfire. As I moved the EGR line, I bumped into the wiring harness for the fuel injectors and as soon as I did that, the miss went away. I worked my way from the injector on one side of the engine to the other end until I found that the wires that come up out of the injector connector on the number 4 cylinder were hitting the bottom of the plate that the throttle cable mounted on. I moved the wires so they wouldn't touch the bottom of the plate and it now runs fine. It looks like the connectors may be a dealer only item. Since the colorado rockies are cold and snowy this time of year, I may wait until spring to change the connector, or sooner if it acts up again. Hope this helps.

I have seen fuel injection connectors for 96 Escorts at www.rockauto.com. You put in your make, year, model, and click on the link for "Electrical Connector", and you will see 'Fuel Injector Connector' listed. Open that link and it shows two varieties of connector, one is $6, the other about $13. Plus shipping. You click on the tiny thumbnail image to enlarge it.
I get a lot of stuff from them, and pay via credit card. The stuff usually arrives within 5 business days.
But if rockauto has them, so might the local auto parts store.