2000 Ford Taurus engine light....

[wire2power]

I have a 3.0 6 cyl 2000 Taurus and engine light is on. I want to part store and they tested it with hand device and it reads...something like 2nd plug not firing (I forget precisely but close enough)...

While driving, the car pulsates, I could really feel a difference when driving. When the car is parked idling, its quiet and no noise. It feels like car when driving is hesitating or something. Where do I start. 3 of the spark plug wires on motor are really hard to get to (there is no space for hand to fit to change). Could this be a sensor issue? Is there a way to eliminate certain things that may be the issue? Please help. Thanks

[shorod]

It sounds like you probably had a P0302 diagnostic code, which is a cylinder #2 misfire code. Chances are very good that the issue is either the #2 spark plug wire or the #2 spark plug, and going with a tune up would be the logical path forward.

Unfortunately, as you've discovered, the rear three spark plugs and wires are not easy to get to. There are some tricks that you can read about here if you know whether you have the OHV Vulcan engine or the 24 V DOHC Duratech engine. Cylinder #2 is the middle cylinder on the firewall side of the engine.

Keep in mind that a P0302 code could also be due to a faulty fuel injector or injector circuit as well as a compression issue with that cylinder, but most likely would be the ignition system (spark plug, wire, or coil).

-Rod

[wire2power]

Originally Posted by shorod

It sounds like you probably had a P0302 diagnostic code, which is a cylinder #2 misfire code. Chances are very good that the issue is either the #2 spark plug wire or the #2 spark plug, and going with a tune up would be the logical path forward.

Unfortunately, as you've discovered, the rear three spark plugs and wires are not easy to get to. There are some tricks that you can read about here if you know whether you have the OHV Vulcan engine or the 24 V DOHC Duratech engine. Cylinder #2 is the middle cylinder on the firewall side of the engine.

Keep in mind that a P0302 code could also be due to a faulty fuel injector or injector circuit as well as a compression issue with that cylinder, but most likely would be the ignition system (spark plug, wire, or coil).

-Rod

Rod, Thanks for your help!
Awesome~!

tOny