Getting Blinking CEL at about 70mph

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Thu May 11, 2006 1:49 am

When we get on the highway I'm getting a blinking CEL.

Usually kicks in at high speed... then it will continue more or less until I reach a slower speed or sometimes it continues until I stop.

The CEL's have been P0301 and P0303, which are Misfire on Cylinder 1 and Misfire on Cylinder 3.

I don't get it at slow speed at all, only when I go to a higher speed.

Any ideas on how I could diagnose the problem?

If you have any questions, I'll do my best to answer.

My battery did fail it's test when it was at the shop today. They said I need to get a new one.

Could that be part of the problem or the problem itself?

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Thu May 11, 2006 6:49 am

well... it is better to replace your battry first before you go into diagnosing this issue.

i know my car didn't behave that well when the battry was bad so i recommend a battry replacment first then see if the problem still exists.

MMamdouh

chronoti · Post by **chronoti** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:16 am

check wire resistance, then coil, i forgot how the coil system works, one coil runs 1 and 3 or was it 1 and 2? also make sure for a good ground connection.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Thu May 11, 2006 11:09 am

chronoti wrote:check wire resistance, then coil, i forgot how the coil system works, one coil runs 1 and 3 or was it 1 and 2? also make sure for a good ground connection.

neither... its 1 and 4 in one half and the other 2 and 3.

MMamdouh

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Thu May 11, 2006 4:58 pm

I've been looking at different batteries. I've gotta figure out which one would be best for my woo. Unfortunately the parts stores around here only list the worst brand and only one battery. So... Hmmm I'll keep looking.

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:44 pm

If anyone else has a suggestion, please chime in.

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Thu May 11, 2006 5:53 pm

i just got a 62AMP VARTA instead of the 55AMPAC Delco that i used to have... both were dry type.

MMamdouh

Brian5475E · Post by **Brian5475E** » Thu May 11, 2006 9:35 pm

check the plugs

daewoomofo · Post by **daewoomofo** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:08 pm

go all out and get a optima red top, they are expencive abut they are great batteries, i love my yellow top

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Thu May 11, 2006 10:21 pm

Is there a particular size/model of the redtop I should get?

tango · Post by **tango** » Fri May 12, 2006 10:14 pm

I have the same problem with my Cielo. The oxygen sensor is at fault. I guarantee that when you flash the computer it will bring up that circuit fault. Good luck.

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Fri May 12, 2006 10:47 pm

Hmmm I haven't gotten the oxygen sensor code yet... I did replace the battery today. With a Optima RedTop. I didn't get up to 70mph after that, so... didn't get any errors on the new battery.

My wife is out with the car right now, so I'll find out when she gets home if she's still getting it at high speed.

JohnnyC · Post by **JohnnyC** » Sat May 13, 2006 5:25 am

FIXED!!

After checking the grounds, replacing the battery (needed to be done anyway), checking the plugs, and the ignition wires, I found the culprit... It was the ignition wires.

I didn't suspect them initially since they're supposed to be really good ones and seemed very well constructed and new... But after checking everything I could think of and leaving the new ignition wires on, I took it for a drive. It was even worse then before! At low RPM's (2500-3000) it was giving me the blinking light of misfire. I turned around and went home.

I pulled the car up in front of the house and thought about it for a few. Then I decided as an experiment I would clean up and put the old ignition wires on in place of the new ones and try it again. Low and behold... NO BLINKING CEL. I took it up to 85mph on the highway for a minute to check and make sure it wasn't going to start blinking at me... Drove around a bit and headed home... No blinking CEL... No CEL at all!

It would appear that I have finally worked all of the major kinks out of my engine. This makes me feel much better. Of course... there is the problem of these faulty ignition wires I gotta figure out what to do with now... But I'm more happy it's all running well.

tango · Post by **tango** » Sat May 13, 2006 12:01 pm

GO JOHNNY! LOL! Good show my brother. Sorry for the bad info...I tell ya...bad electrical leads will cause ALL kinds of crappy signs. I think I'm gonna go get a Morris Oxford or something nice and simple...LOL.

chronoti · Post by **chronoti** » Sat May 13, 2006 3:29 pm

WOOOOOOOOOO! i was right! but what wires did you have on your car? i had the cheap ones from autozone break apart when i went to take them out from the car.