Cant figure out ignition

[ts25x]

1996 Dodge Grand Caravan 3.3litre Yesterday the service engine light came on, and it started acting funny.

I did a manual diagnostic code check with the key, and it came up code #43, which is multiple cylinder misfire. I changed all 6 spark plugs, wires, and ignition coil, and that still wasn't the problem. then I checked the compression, and all 6 cylinders are at 120. So I figured out 2 of the spark plug wires arent getting any fire, and it's only running off 4 cylinders, so I put another new coil on and thats still not it. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP!!! I'm about to throw a stick of dynamite in the front seat and run!!!

[jsinton]

You didn't mention your distributor cap. Did you take it off to see it's condition? Could be worn out.

[webbch]

'96 caravan 3.3 liter doesn't have a distributor.

Check this thread for more ideas. It references the 3.8 liter, but the 3.3/3.8 liter engines are identical in *most* aspects , except for displacements of course.

[jsinton]

My book for 1995 says the next step is to test the coil resistance.

Test the offending coil pack. Primary resistance (between the two little terminals in the little connector hole) should be .45 to .65 ohms. Secondary resistance beween the paired tower leads (to the spark plugs) should be 7k to 15.8k ohms. It's not necessary to remove the coil pack to test it, but it's easier.

[webbch]

Keep in mind that jsinton's 1995 is fundamentally different from the '96-00 models. Not an expert on exactly what those differences are, but I know there is a distributor in the '95 and not in the '96-00, which is a pretty significant one.

[Bear]

get your hands on an inductive timing light and start engine and then move from plug wire 9at coil pack) to plug wire and see if all are firing. I can't remember if the coil pack is one module or separate modules for the individual plug wire. I had this issue on grandson's Olds Cera and one of the coil pack sections was not firing.

[ronmar1]

Originally Posted by webbch

Keep in mind that jsinton's 1995 is fundamentally different from the '96-00 models. Not an expert on exactly what those differences are, but I know there is a distributor in the '95 and not in the '96-00, which is a pretty significant one.

None of the generation II (1990 to 1995) 3.3s have a distributor either. They all use an electronic ignition system, same as the generation III's.

Ron

[jsinton]

There is two spark plug leads per module on these coils. There is three modules total. You test the resistance between the towers on one module. The resistance should be 7k to 15.8k ohms. It sounds like you have a bad module.

[jsinton]

There is only two more possibilities if the coil pack tests out ok. It's either your crankshaft position sensor or your engine controller (SBEC). Other than that, there is nothing that would cause four cylinders to fire and not two.

Are you sure you got the firing order correct when you replaced the coil wires?

[webbch]

None of the generation II (1990 to 1995) 3.3s have a distributor either. They all use an electronic ignition system, same as the generation III's.

Good to know. So test procedure for generation II 3.3's & generation III 3.3/3.8 should be similar then I take it.