occasional misfire...seek input from members

[Steve Legel]

2002 Thunderbird, occasional misfire at idle, like at stop light and rarely under acceleration, like entering X way.

I rand OBD II scanner today: says no codes

Maybe fuel or injector?

Looking for other's expereience

I always appreciate the help form members on forum.
Steve

[Brad]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

I'd recommend cleaning your MAF & checking your air cleaner if you haven't already. Un-plug the battery to reset things afterwards. I won't even mention the other dirty word of what you're afraid it might be the start of.

I also get that occasionally at season change when they change the fuel blend they sell and the computer needs to adjust from the summer-grade fuel to the winter-grade fuel. Seems to last a short time and then everything is ok. Each time it's in the spring or fall.

I looked it up and apparently they switch over September 15th, so unless you haven't filled up in a few months it's probably not the "seasonal transition".

[Steve Legel]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

MAF?

[Brad]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

Mass Air Flow sensor, just after your air cleaner. You need a torx screwdriver to remove and the correct cleaning fluid...do NOT use Gumout carb cleaner. Takes less than 5 mins to remove and clean. Mine was dirty and it was giving me similar symptoms like when I had bad COPS.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

Mass Air Flow sensor, just after your air cleaner. You need a torx screwdriver to remove and the correct cleaning fluid...do NOT use Gumout carb cleaner. Takes less than 5 mins to remove and clean. Mine was dirty and it was giving me similar symptoms like when I had bad COPS.

You can buy specific cleaner at an auto parts store. Simple job. Be sure to let it dry thoroughly before you put it back in. You should also get a small tube of dielectric grease and put some inside the connector when you reattach it.

I also add a bottle of techron every few tanks to keep things clean. You can get it at the auto parts store as well.

[islandtime]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

Steve - your Facebook friends know what the problem is! Sounds like Zippy took the Bird and not the Challenger the other night.
But I digress...

[Steve Legel]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

Elle, those furry roommates of mine might be headed for a show down. Watch for upcoming stories on FB

[Steve Legel]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

Jim and Brad, thanks for input, project was simple. I bought the special tamper proof trox bit.

seemed to smooth out idle.

In park smooth acceleration up to 3,000 RPM, then engine maintains speed, but chugs, OBD shows no codes. I did not wait long to reassemble and test. I'm going out tonight and give it a good run.

[Brad]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

In case you didn't, unplug the battery to reset the computer. If you corrected the problem the engine could still be compensating to a false condition that no longer exists.

[bwlewis]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

In Park or Neutral the rev limiter kicks in....no more than 3000rpm.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: occasional misfire...seek input from members

2002 Thunderbird, occasional misfire at idle, like at stop light and rarely under acceleration, like entering X way.


I rand OBD II scanner today: says no codes

Maybe fuel or injector?

Looking for other's experience

I always appreciate the help form members on forum.
Steve

Misfires such as you describe are rarely fuel related. When the engine is starved for fuel you are usually expecting a full on stumble rather than an intermittent "misfire".

It sounds like you are describing something electrical.........probably a COP acting up again.

Sucks!... but as many here have described so many times, until it gets really bad it probably won't throw a code.