96 3.1 Check Engine Blinking

[weidnerr]

Once the Lumina warms up the check engine starts blinking and it starts missing badly. Similiar to a faulty ignition module and losing a couple cylinders. It's making a poping noise at the tailpipe. I had the codes checked an a egr code came up. I changed the egr valve but that wasn't it. Any suggestions? It mostly acts up in town stopping and starting.
Thanks,
Rob

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by weidnerr

Once the Lumina warms up the check engine starts blinking and it starts missing badly. Similiar to a faulty ignition module and losing a couple cylinders. It's making a poping noise at the tailpipe. I had the codes checked an a egr code came up. I changed the egr valve but that wasn't it. Any suggestions? It mostly acts up in town stopping and starting.
Thanks,
Rob

Engine transmission and mileage and tune up history would help us help you.
Is the EGR problem fixed or what code no is it throwing?
A blinking check engine light is a missfire problem.
MT

[weidnerr]

It has 205k and is an automatic transmission. The code was a misfire code. I don't have the code on me but can get it at lunch time. The O2 cat sensor sent a code also.

[richtazz]

Like MT-2500 asked, what is the age of the plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc... Start with simple tune-up parts, especially if the code is P0300 (random mis-fire). Don't over analyze if you haven't done the basic maintenance.

[weidnerr]

The codes are P0401 EGR flow, P0300 Random misfire and P0141 Cat O2 sensor. I have replaced the EGR valve and that didn't help.
I'm considering the Ignition module or a faulty coil.
What do you think?

[weidnerr]

It was tuned up less than 10k ago.....

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by weidnerr

It was tuned up less than 10k ago.....

What brand of spark plugs did you feed it?
Are the plug wires good?
If you have a missfire or miss find out which cyliner it is.
Check for good hot spark to all plugss first thing.
MT

[weidnerr]

Two of the front (3) plugs were hand tight if that. I bought new plugs and wires and have installed the front three. I will finish tackling the back three hopefully tonight. I took the serpentine belt off and noticed the tensioner has alot of play in it side to side. The belt is only about an 1/8" from hitting the block. I'm taking the altenator out to have more room to get at the back plugs. The two plugs that were loose had the white porcelan turning gray. I'll give an update when I get the back three done. Broke two of the three wires pulling them off the old plugs.

[Blue Bowtie]

A liberal application of silicone dielectric grease inside the spark plug boots AND on the terminals can help prevent them sticking again. Been there...

[weidnerr]

Car is running much better after changing plugs and wires. Still getting the P0300 random misfire. Only seem to have a slight miss now from time to time. I added two cans of injector cleaner to the gas. The car is driven mostly in town so maybe it just needs a good road trip and a new tank of gas.

[weidnerr]

I put new plugs and wires in the car. Still getting the P0300 random/misfire. I'm currently driving it about 5 miles one way. About every other trip it will misfire and the service engine light will flash for a few seconds and then straighten out. One person mentioned it was not burning some of the fuel. I was thinking about changing the fuel filter and if that's not it I have a spare module and coilpacks from another lumina. What do you think?

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by weidnerr

I put new plugs and wires in the car. Still getting the P0300 random/misfire. I'm currently driving it about 5 miles one way. About every other trip it will misfire and the service engine light will flash for a few seconds and then straighten out. One person mentioned it was not burning some of the fuel. I was thinking about changing the fuel filter and if that's not it I have a spare module and coilpacks from another lumina. What do you think?

A misfire is a misfire.
Obd 11 should tell you what cylinder is missing.
And can cause engine damage and ruin the cat to.
See if you can find out what cylinder the misfire is on.
Then check for good hot blue spark to plugs.
But remember new plugs or wires can be bad.
What kind of spark plugs did you feed it?
MT

[weidnerr]

It doesn't tell me what cylinder. It's just a general (P0300) misfire. I'm changing the fuel filter next and if that's not it I'll try a spare module and coil set I have. It's spuratic, not a steady miss, it just comes and goes. Loss of power and then it picks right back up. Sometimes shudders at stop signs, but you hardly notice it if your on the highway doing 55........
Later,
Rob

[jmiles_97_lumina]

hey bud it sound like to me you got a knock sensor problem, the engine is trying to determan when to fire and its causeing a po300 missfire, check and see if your having a egr threshold insufeshint code if your useing scanner dont do a global obd2 scann do a full pathfinder test with the vin.....

[weidnerr]

Where is the knock sensor located? I changed the fuel filter and it was plugged. I drove it about 20 miles and had No problem and then it has started again. Would a coil or an ignition module send a random misfire?
Thanks,
Rob