1998 Chevy S-10 4cyl Standard; Check Engine Soon

[keeb]

Thanks in advance to all those who read/help.

I have a fairly new 98 s-10 with only 47K on the clock. This weekend i drove it to upstate NY and back from CT. I get in my car in the morning, start her up, and the check engine soon light popped up. At first i thought it was gas cap, so i checked that. But then i realized when i accelerate the car "staggers" or "Chugs" pretty much through all RPMS all Gears. So you can guess my next question. I believe its some sort of misfire problem. Im probably going to change the wires/plugs and possibly get a tune up.

Anyone have any ideas? The car idles pretty harshly now. Sometimes (when the car drove fine) it staggered a little bit in the lower RPMs/Lower gears.. but now its quite prominent and im afraid to drive it around. The check engine light pretty much always comes on, blinking at first, then it become solid. Sometimes i start it up and it doesnt pop on, but the car still staggers. This is quite annoying...

Thanks again in advance for any help, feel free to email me, i need to fix this ASAP so i can get to and fro work easily.

i was also wondering if this is fairly common or not, because the car is fairly new...

[jackass#1]

go to autozone or pepboys. they can scan for your trouble code that is now stored for free. once you get your code read than come back and let us know what you have and well tell you what to do.
your engine light will trigger a code and store it in your computer. fix that malfunction and should go back to normal.

[keeb]

Originally Posted by keeb

thanks alot. ill try to get on it today or tomorrow. much appreciated..

please read my first post on this topic/thread.


Got the error code, totally forgot to post it.

P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected


and p0303 "pending" whatever that means.


what should i do first? im thinking plugs and wires/standard tune up and go from there? What are the common causes of this error type? Thanks so much i need to get this fixed asap.

[keeb]

::bump::

[keeb]

Originally Posted by keeb

::bump::

::bumpagain:: Anyone here can help me out?!

[ipoopyinmypants]

get plugs changed and go from there

I had the same prob with my 98 5-speed s10 and i changed the plugs and it solved everything.

[keeb]

Originally Posted by ipoopyinmypants

get plugs changed and go from there

I had the same prob with my 98 5-speed s10 and i changed the plugs and it solved everything.

i figured so much. problem is ive been driving on it too, is that really bad? im gonna change them today hopefully. and although this may sound dumb, how tough is it to change them? if i have a std. cab, 4cyl standard 98 chevy, what plugs/tools do i need?

thanks so much. i dont want to pay for something that is easy to do.

[garednck]

It's hard at all and should only take you about 20 minutes. Make sure you check your plug wires as well if your not going to change them.

Tools needed are
5/8 plug socket
6" or 8" extension
Ratchet
Plug gapping tool
Common screwdriver (if changing the cap and rotor)

[rvolk86]

if you rev it in nuetral does it still sputter?

I think I might be having the same problem

[keeb]

Originally Posted by rvolk86

if you rev it in nuetral does it still sputter?

I think I might be having the same problem

Yes it does. Even when it idles you can hear it gargle a little.

[rvolk86]

well all i did was go and wiggle the spark plugs around a bit and it seems to be doing alright now. I've only taken one trip since though so idk.

[reubenator]

as far as that pending message on your code goes, that means that the computer is picking up a signal that the problem is about to reoccur. Did changing the plugs or wires fix your problem?

[jackass#1]

good and complete tune up should do the trick. also once youre done with the tune up make sure you reset the computer by disconnecting the neg side of battery for a few min. make sure the plugs are set to the right gap. there is a imformation label in the engine compartment that will tell you the proper gap. dont assume the new plugs are already pre-gapped, because their not.
if after changing the plugs and wires, the same old thing happens than it is the coil pack not getting or not sending spark to #3 plug.
let us know how it goes.

[rynehiter]

I had the same problem. 98 s10 cylinder 3 misfire. I changed the plug wires and noticed that the 3rd wire is routed through separate from the rest of them. That fixed it completely for a day. Now it has a little miss in it, almost feels like a vaccum leak. Does anyone know where the PCV valve is located? I thought I knew where it was and got down to it and pulled it out and it was just a metal tube and air runs through. It is loosly fit now that I took it off once. Does anyone know anything about this or have any idea what I am talking about. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[ZL1power69]

welcome to af. this thread is almost 2 years old. please refrain from posting in old threads. this helps reudce clutter in the forum. feel free to post a new thread in the problem diagnosis section.