Wife's car is misfiring, sometimes at idle, sometime driving. It started Monday as the temperature dropped. I got a bottle of Heet and filled the tank back up. I then went to Autozone, the plugged in the machine, code 301. Several items showed up in His book, spark plugs, wiring, low or high fuel pressure, and I don't remember the others. He recomended I take it to a Sun Machine as they would be able to narrow it down.

It is a 2001 Ford Taurus SES, with 3.0L V6 engine w auto tranny. It just turned 80,000 miles, no tuneup ever. I noticed the misfiring as I was driving to see a friend in a high water area. I did not get really wet, but a lot of water splashed around, I am sure some of it went into engine compartment. Any ideas? Bill

 

Is this a P0301 code? Please be specific.


A code P0301 may mean that one or more of the following has happened:

Faulty spark plug or wire
Faulty coil (pack)
Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
Faulty fuel injector
Burned exhaust valve
Faulty catalytic converter(s)
Running out of fuel
Poor compression
Defective computer

 

Yes it is a PO301 athhough Autozone's machine just said 301. Thanks, Bill

 

It's time to do a tune up anyway. Start with the basics but be sure to use OEM plugs and wires. I speak from experience. Aftermarket plugs and wires are cheaper but can cause the car to throw codes.
Then go from there.
If you take it to shop you can spend hundreds $$$ in mis-diagnosed fixes where a good tune will run you about a $ 100.00 if you do it yourself.

 

Thanks I was going to start with plugs and wire, and cap. I'll see how it goes from there. Bill

 

Plugs and Wires didn't fix it, took it to a mechanic, it was the coil pack. Bill