P0302 only, CEL on '01 3.8L

[ogre73]

I'll be changing the coil pack this weekend, and will post the results. I have a good idea that this is the problem, and I read on this website http://www.alldata.com/techtips/2002/20021209c.html about a few problems with the coil packs. The guy that answered that post even said that he had seen a couple of vans in a row that had cylinder 2 bad! I'm crossing my fingers.

[12Ounce]

You haven't mentioned if you removed the cowling. ???
Or have you tried the hose as a stethoscope? ??? Good for listening for air leaks, injector cllicks, and hi-tension leaks from spark cables.

[ogre73]

What do you mean by the cowling?
I haven't tried the hose as stethescope yet, no. I will try that before I take the upper plenum off to replace the coil pack, in case I find something that I can fix while it's off.
I still haven't (Monday morning) replaced the coil pack because the part didn't come in on Saturday like I planned. Instead, I cancelled the order from autozone and got an OEM coil from eBay for $10.50. Pretty far cry from the 114.00 that the dealer wanted for the same part. As soon as that comes in (Wednesday I think) I will put it in.

[12Ounce]

By "cowling" I mean the two part plastic assembly that sits just forward of the windschield... includes the wiper motor and arms. Made to be removed for rear-of-engine service. Once removed, the rear of the engine (cyls 1, 2, 3) are much easier to access.

[ogre73]

No, I haven't removed that. My wife has been needing the van for the kids, so I have been keeping it intact for the small amount of driving she does. When the coil pack comes, I may take the cowling off. I'll have to look into how difficult it is versus just removing the upper half of the plenum again.

[ogre73]

I just got in from changing the coil pack. Well, (cracks beer), looks like I solved that issue. The test will be tomorrow, when my wife takes the van around, but after what I saw on that old coil I think that has to have been the issue.
What's wrong with this picture?


Can't tell?

How about now?


Here's an even better one...


Yup, that crack in the center is right under the cylinder 2 connection. P0302. Discovered. And yes, those are cracks underneath the other two rear cylinder connections, 1 and 3. I suppose it was just a matter of time. So for now I think that solves my issue. Thanks to all that helped, and hopefully I won't have to come here with another problem for a little while.