check engine light


  #1  
Old 07-05-03, 02:42 PM
BelairBoy
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check engine light

time to quit toying with my car and get mom's fixed. It's a 1997 ford windstar v6. recently the check engine light came on. I took it to auto zone today and had the codes read. Only one coming up was cylinder 1 is misfiring. What should I do? check/replace plugs, change plug wires? Need any advice I can get here. Thanks Guys.
 
  #2  
Old 07-05-03, 09:30 PM
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A cylinder misfire indicates either the spark plug isn'r firing, the injector isn't opening, or a valve is leaking. 9.9 times out of 10 it is an ignition problem.

Pull the #1 ignition wire off and use a screwdriver inserted in the wire and held close to a ground and start the engine.
Observe for spark. If it sparks out of the wire replace the plug, or you can swap it with another one and see if the cylinder misfire changes to the one you swapped it into.
If no spark from wire, check it out of the coil.

If you are due for a tune up just do it anyway.
 
  #3  
Old 07-05-03, 10:52 PM
Joe_F
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Another possiblity: If it's a 3.8, blown gasket (hope not). Starting to consume coolant.

I have also seen leaky valve cover gasket O-rings let oil into the wire and cause a misfire too.
 
 

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