06 Ford Escape Misfire With An Interesting Backstory

You know it’s going to be good when the client comes in with papers describing everything that has taken place! This client was extremely nice and gave us lots of info in regards to the misfire his escape had. He has done his own work and finally decided it was time to give up and bring it to us. So we take the info given and use it to help us but at the same time not distract us or make us go down a rabbit hole. Keep it simple. Find the misfire. We hope this helps! Enjoy!
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[@SouthMainAuto]

Good video Sherwood and you are absolutely right about using this method here and the pitfalls of swaptronics. I mean no disrespect by this but you asked for our opinions so I will give you mine on using fuel trims to diagnose what type (fuel or spark) for a misfire. I do not believe you can use fuel trims to determine the "type" of misfire. UNLESS the vehicle uses the rear O2 in its fuel control strategy. Example, when you are looking at fuel trims LT & ST and you induce an ignition misfire you will see the fuel trims elevate +10 to 15% ish. You typically will see the same thing with an lack of fuel induced misfire. I feel this is because the upstream O2 or AFR only can "sense" the O2 coming past it. A misfire regardless of the cause (lack of spark or lack of fuel) just turns the cylinder into a big air pump. However a lack of spark misfire does send raw fuel down past the upstream sensor it doesn't really "see" it so you usually don't see any big difference in the FT's with a lack of spark vs a lack of fuel. HOWEVER if the fuel control strategy of the car does use the rear O2 to make FT corrections then you will but not all cars use the rear O2 for fuel control. Now what I like to do is look at the the front O2's or AFR's AND the rear O2's during the misfire even and that will typically show you immediately what type of misfire you are dealing with. If the CAT is working and has lit off and you induce a no spark misfire you will see a rapid rise as the raw fuel gets burnt in the cat and on the contrary if you induce a lack of fuel misfire you will see the rear O2 drop off lean. In both of those case you will see a rise in the the ST LT FT's but the rear O2's will tell you the real story 😉 I hope that is all understandable and the short of it is, it may be more valuable when dealing with intermittent misfires to look at the rear O2's (providing the cats work) to make a hypothesis of "is it ignition or is it fuel." Oh and props to whoever put the battery in that car haha. With the price of all the adapters the could have bought the correct battery 😂 Cheers, Eric O.

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

I totally understand what you're saying. I think it was a Scott Shotten class that I saw the FT differences. It should be easy enough to prove out one way or the other. I'll see if I can do something next week. Will definitely let you know what I find. Yeah, the battery was very interesting. He said that was his CPAC battery and he was going to get the right one. Plus the broken positive terminal. SMH. Thanks!

[@SouthMainAuto]

@@theroyaltyautoservice Scott is a sharp dude. It'll be interesting what you find. I experimented a long time ago with it and just found that watching the rear O2's was pretty spot on 👍🏼 See you at TST

[@DM-el3rq]

Awesome ! 2 top technicians comparing notes. The amount of honest content both channels put out to the public is really priceless. Thanks to you both.

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

@@DM-el3rq Agreed !

[@djosbun]

Easily one of the top five KZbin channels for professional diagnosticians. 👍🏼

[@driftwhat]

What's your top 5?. I genuinely would like to know. Thanks in advance!

[@PrabhjotSandhu-tm9yu]

Mine are south main auto, advance diagnostic, automotive diagnostic and programming, scanner danner and pinewood auto diagnostic

[@Oneupserviceautorepair]

@@PrabhjotSandhu-tm9yuanother one is super Mario diagnostics

[@sprograt]

I also find Ivan at Pine Hollow Auto Diagnostics a good channel for regular uploads and informative information.

[@driftwhat]

Oz mechanics and diagnose dan are two very good channels as well and they don't take themselves serious lol

[@darrenogorman121]

Finally!! Someone doing secondary ignition analysis!! The ats scope is outstanding in that area!! This is how a pro does it!!! A++++

[@chrisfaist7855]

I love a professional who is on top of his trade, yet is humble and does not let his ego drag him into the abyss.

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Wanna know how tremendous your coaching / teaching techniques are ? I’m able to grasp the lesson keys simply by LISTENING to the presentation . (Sometimes you can’t watch the screen when certain tasks require my attention to other things) ; but it’s A-OK due to the detail and priorities which you are saying in your coaching cues which make it clear in those instances of listening only ! Thanks so much my good mate ! 👍🏼🔥🎯

[@deeznutz3494]

I couldn’t stop laughing after seeing that battery

[@kurtisdurkop7038]

I know right. When saw that. I was like …I have to fix now! I can’t leave that alone.

[@BehindTheCounter_TFSO]

This serves as a perfect case study highlighting why a DIY enthusiast shouldn't attempt to work on modern vehicles. Visiting stores like AutoZone, often dubbed the Walmart of auto parts, can lead to interactions with retail staff lacking the expertise for proper vehicle diagnosis. Moreover, the liberal return policies, such as Walmart's "no questions asked" policy, may result in receiving previously used parts or parts that have been tampered with. These retail environments prioritize selling parts over providing accurate advice, with sales figures showing a focus on gas caps rather than proper diagnosis for EVAP codes. Engaging in DIY repairs under such circumstances can ultimately cost more in terms of both time and money. It's evident that a professionally trained technician equipped with the proper tools can effectively diagnose modern vehicles without resorting to trial-and-error part replacement.

[@JoesAutoElectric]

Great video! Shows the power of a scope, and knowledge! You're awesome brother!

[@riceburner4747]

You are very diplomatic on criticisms. I HAVE to comment on that battery, working for a battery company for years. I am NOT a fan of Optima batteries. No hold down, SIDE terminals that the positive can arc on the frame, and just not the correct size. That battery bouncing around in the tray will definitely shorten the life of it. Once again, great work on your part. 👍

[@anthonydargenio3536]

I could watch you all day im in my late 50s and you are teaching me things that I never dealt with. That ATS set up is incredible. I am a DIY guy do my own work mostly cars older than 2010. I wish I had more time to learn how to use that ATS tool. You are incredible at explaining every step of the process keep up the great work ill keep watching

[@jdtractorman7445]

Nice diagnosis. I like how Ford and other scan tool manufacturers have made it so you can do a compression test with the scan tool. That helps immensely. Can you imagine doing all cylinders the old-fashioned way by putting a gauge in each cylinder? Like you mentioned, some cylinders are impossible to access as well. You forgot to recommend a bungee cord to hold the battery down. 🤣🤣🤣

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

These cheap parts can cost lots of time and money since once you install any "new part" you assume it couldn't be that. But the past couple of years not only COULD it be the new part if there is still a problem, is MOST likely is THE new part. These Escapes love to Fry PCM's also. I've seen the coils exploded dozens of times with no control signal from the driver. But glad to see it was just the coil (and plugs) for this customer.

[@jerrykorman7770]

Yup I’ve noticed the quality of replacement parts has taken a real nose dive

[@billsmith2212]

With the labor involved , it doesn't pay to put in off brand parts . Today's joke on batteries : years ago , I think on Chevy Nova's they would but in large engines and up size the batteries - TOP terminal . There was almost no room for a large battery . I have heard of slamming the hood and the battery shorted out . Plus if not secured , a few good bumps and you get a surprise ! 😂 Great fix !

[@djmobileauto]

excellent video, I love ignition waveform diagnosis. Good catch, I was looking at the invert tab for the red one and I was asking myself how come you didn't invert them like the others. Im glad you caught that. RIP Mac, he was a legend as well as Jim Morton when it comes to ignition waveform

[@ozzesty7314]

Nice to see a proper diagnosis. Not just throwing the parts canon.

[@dannyd.8753]

Very interesting how you identified the problem by viewing the ignition on scope - didn't know that you can read that much informations out of it. If you could add later how it looks when rich and lean that would be great. Your detailed descriptions are super educational. Thanks a lot for investing that extra time for us! Best regards from germany.

[@jeffcompton6937]

Love these in depth videos. It such a great example of how true professionals in our industry approach diagnostics. Thank you guys

[@keithbrown7406]

Excellent video. Thanks. Brandon Steckler has just put out a TRAINER video covering random ignition/fuel misfires. Using downstream O2 sensor to get direction.

[@spirokattan3655]

Hi Sherwood, Nice diag and find! Looking forward to meeting you at TST!

[@8power0]

OUTSTANDING DIAGNOSTICS ,,, THAT E-SCOPE LOOKS AMAZING THANKS FOR THE VIDEO YOUR TIME AND EFFORT HOPE TO LEARN MUCH MORE FROM YOUR CHANNEL IN THE FUTURE . WOULD LOVE TO SEE A VIDEO ON HOW TO TRACE DOWN AN INTERMITTENT LOSS OF COMMUNICATION THAT LEDS TO A LIMP MODE THANKS AGAIN !!!!!!

[@phillipjlynch9340]

I really enjoy your videos. I checked out your friend Mac VandenBrink. Sadly he passed away Sept. 5/2020. You can still view his amazing work on KZbin.

[@arthuraucar3696]

Great video!! Thanks again. Enjoy your weekend. 👍👍

[@johnpost3289]

Great video, secondary waveform analysis is another lost art, yet such a fundamental diagnostic tool. This is the first scope waveform I was taught as an apprentice back in the early 1980's on an Allen big box scope, and I've been using it ever since. I teach this to my students now at the college.

[@cruze1953]

I cut my teeth on Sun Scopes and 4-gas analyzers in the 70-80's. Good times!

[@mandytuning]

I just learned from motorage that downstream sensor read richer when spark misfire occurs even dront sensor reads leaner. and downstream reads leaner when is a lack of fuel misfire.

[@nowayjose596]

If you read SouthMainAuto's comment on this video you'll see he talks about the same thing

[@david-jh8rg]

Awesome 👌 👏 hope you fixed his battery issue

[@vickenkaragozian2041]

You can get to the other cylinders in the back. These are two wires coils and the ecm provides the pulses. So you can back probe the ecm and check the primary signals. Primary should mirror the secondary. Great video and as always great to see you're using the Escope. Thank you

[@davidjackson4112]

Thanks Sherwood for another excellent video. Enjoyed!

[@thesmartguy3523]

Very insightful video, thanks Sher!

[@geoff3172]

Great video as always, thank you for taking the time to do them x

[@bartscave]

Great diagnosis and video! Thanks for sharing it.

[@david600R]

💪😎 another fantastic video and learning experience! Thank you Sherwood & team!

[@danman9017]

i believe that you are right on that cheap coil is reverse connect it will do that miss under load i have seen that before someone install a new connector on a coil and made mistake on wiring of coil cause miss underload .tks great video

[@holdover88]

Nice video, love seeing scope usage this way. You could've probably used your scan tool to disable an injector to cause the lean condition on a cylinder you wanted.

[@robertgreen4050]

Great job I'm an old diyer really enjoy your videos especially with these newer vehicles today when compared to the old school stuff this new stuff can be hard to work on with everything so buried and no room

[@driftwhat]

Very helpful sir! Learn a lot from your channels like always!

[@dalebabbitt6185]

Excellent video, thank you. I have an 09 Escape with a cylinder 1 misfire. I'll use your information to help troubleshoot it.

[@jeffmiller6100]

Thanks ! Very educational

[@Mr2004MCSS]

Great video. I learned some things in this one as far as the scope capture goes. You should get some of Joe Caci's secondary ignition flex wands to get some captures of the coils under the intake. He developed them for just this kind of scenario.

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

I've got them, I need to use them in a video. Thanks!

[@Mr2004MCSS]

@@theroyaltyautoservice Yes, it would be nice to see you use them. He makes some great tools.

[@xxdaemonarchxx3436]

Great video once again!

[@empire758]

Always nice content and educational 🎉

[@onimedia1072]

Learned this at the Audi training center and it’s game changer especially diagnosing on our V6 and V8 where swapping coils and plugs are not ideal

[@Quickwrench75]

Great Video as Always. Very informative Know most of viewers you have dont have a scope nor experience. But love how ya presented issue and explained it. You are money on spot with that Also helps young techs who see this realize a scope is a must have tool

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

I love my little u scope with paddle prob . Perfect for finding misfires 👊🏻👍🏻

[@marcdrouillard4055]

Hi Sherwood. These coils look like they have some magnet material in them. This makes the coils polarity sensitive on the primary side! a reverse polarity connection results in a low coil output energy. I have seen this on some Ford visteon coils that our reseach team were using on a V10 H2 ICE development engine. We had poor ignition performance when all 10 coils were reverse polarity connected on the primaries.

[@HYBRIDEVMASTERSGARAGE]

Great Content !! 3hr Diag, not including Repairs, not including Video editing & Uploading = Brain Freeze 🙄 I get that daily !!!

[@stevedrake1861]

Man, I wish I lived near your shop. I've got two cars up here in New York state that could really use your expertise.

[@1MiketheMechanic]

You have a very good shop in your neck of the woods. SMA or South Main Auto.

[@DependableAutoTruck]

great video thanks for sharing

[@ysitrim88]

Another great video!

[@nickayivor8432]

Tutorial brilliant, Royalty Auto Service Can't wait for the next training video 👍 INTVITIVE, Royalty Auto Service From Nick Ayivor from London England UK 🇬🇧 ⏰️ 22:52PM Good Evening

[@charlesmecum5009]

U got a top to ur box, atleast looks like it, now what for ur computer screens for ur wiring lol u guys are very professional, when I head to see my grandchild in Florida, wld love to see and meet u folks

[@saiautomotivemilton.7128]

Thank you for the video. Learned a lot

[@saiautomotivemilton.7128]

I wish I could afford a ATS scope and scan tool!

[@wayneschenk5512]

Great process.

[@abovetherimrob891]

Escan is one the the best diagnostic tools I have at my shop! So much info and data. 100% worth the investment!!!

[@FACTSAutomotive219]

The ATS, and most aftermarket tools are nowhere quick enough to actually "show" the misfire in the o2 sensor. IF you use a snap on, and graph only the o2's you can and will see a misfire in the o2's and how they react. My topdon, autel, ats, launch, none of those are able to plot the data smooth/quick enough. The other tools just do not graph quick enough. Fuel trims on a single cylinder misfire are very tough to prove out. A quick test for any misfire is to grab a intake pressure pulse and relative compression. That will guide and funnel the misfire quickly (as I know you already know this Sherwood. This is for the followers)

[@shakeelsss]

I watched that specific video of Mac V. from TST more than once and still can't do it in its entirety. Thanks for pointing that out as a way to do so. By the way , you meant to say you don't open on Saturdays or Fridays .

[@geraldfiorello6231]

Great video

[@marklloyd4153]

Loved this

[@franciscoxaviergonzalezrom4648]

Thank you!!!

[@kyletuttle9064]

Great video just like going to a class

[@johnpastor8595]

Thank you

[@garysgarage3669]

Another great video. Thank you.

[@danigrumbles520]

Swapping was how a mechanic recently attempted to DX a misfire for me. He then sent it back because she wouldn't misfire again. My dad used to work as a tech so he offered to pull the plugs to swap them (they were 10 years old & I'm looking to keep) and look over the coils well. Found oil in two of the wells. If we hadn't decided to dig deeper, how long could I have missed that the valve cover gasket was needed? 😶😶😶

[@powayimports4175]

Great video. How do you do a 4 day work week?! I’d love to hear it.

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

We are open 10 hours per day. Works out, just longer days.

[@ofalejandro12]

man very well explained im trying to get fami with those waves forms you earn new subscriber👍

[@davec7]

Geralt of Rivia 😎👍

[@keltecshooter]

Fish bite is the word you are searching for. Also it looks like the coil oscillations are dying out even before you load it . Cheers

[@johnbonifas6040]

Yes show it nice job

[@martinarrieta248]

Grasias

[@upnorthballa]

What ECOP leads were those Thanks. Great video

[@napkins13]

Unrelated to the content: I spotted that whyfiles sticker on the coffee canister @ 13:16 , another good channel on things unrelated to cars.

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Hecklefish for President. Haha.

[@Bill-wz6tw]

Coils polarity does not matter and will not cause a misfire the only side effect to changing the polarity of an ignition coil is that the plug will wear more either on the center electrode or the ground electrode in aircraft engines the magnetos are intentionally reversed polarity from each other an the dual plugs are rotated when being serviced cleaned and gapped ect.. this helps to even out the wear on the plug much like rotating your tires does. It is similar in welding when you are running reversed polarity or electrode positive the heat from the arc tends to go to the positive terminal side more than the negative side since the electrons that are flowing in the (arc) circuit flow from negative to positive the heat lands on the positive side more due to DC being a directional system AC does not act like this only DC welding does although you can adjust the balance on some AC machines to give a bias also. So if you want less heat and penetration in the material when DC arc welding use electrode positive that way the current flow is from the material into your electrode the electrode tip will get a lot hotter running with this polarity but if you are welding something really thin it is sometimes what you need to do. Spark plugs are sorta similar to DC arc welding reversing the polarity does change the way the current flows and determines weather the arc initiates from the center electrode which is typical for a automotive negative grounded battery setup or the ground electrode which is reversed polarity either way the spark will still occur and it will fire the hole though. Now you have to be careful with COP coils not to reverse the polarity on them if they have a igniter circuit or a ignition module built in but that two wire coil on this Ford Escape it shouldn't make any difference. The coil itself can be reversed polarity but the control circuitry might not have reversed polarity protection and reversing that could fry some internal silicon circuitry so be careful if you want to try to experiment look at the coil style and circuit schematics and understand what you are doing. A lot of old industrial trucks and even some 1957 Chevrolet's Bel-Airs used a positive terminal as the ground electrode and they ran just fine the advantage to using the positive terminal for the chassis ground instead of the typical negative ground we use today is less corrosion and rust on the frame and chassis due to the galvanic action automakers switched to the negative ground system so your car will rot out and you will have to buy another one sooner.

[@cruze1953]

I was taught there is less Secondary energy when coils are reverse polarity. Read @marcdrouillard4055 comments stating the same thing. Have read same thing in technical literature. I like you reference to DC reverse polarity. 6010 and 7018 days.

[@williamtherriault335]

I was always told that if you have an ignition misfire, to watch the upstream and downstream o2 sensors. an ignition misfire will cause the upstream sensor to read lean during the misfire event, the unburnt fuel will be burnt in the catalytic converter, and cause the downstream sensor to read rich. a misfire due to the fuel system will cause the upstream sensor to read rich. Unfortunately I have no experienced a misfire due to a fuel system failure yet. But I have found it to be true with every ignition coil related misfire I've had

[@rogeronslow1498]

The coil manufacturer screwed up the winding phase. The result is the output voltage will be a negative spike rather than positive. The plug should fire but it'll erode the ground electrode rather than center one.

[@cruze1953]

I think it is the connector being upside down causing it as shown on camera.

[@MsFireboy2]

Thanks posting. Question was the coil the owner installed from AutoZone?

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

No, it was from a different parts store. Thanks!

[@jimpie231]

Question, what was the mileage on this car? Great video! Thanks…..

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Unfortunately I don't remember. Sorry.

[@josephcope8743]

I heard someone once say that an ignition misfire feels like a fish bite on the hook… and that’s always stuck with me

[@1MiketheMechanic]

Modern direct injection fuel injector misfires feel the same. You would swear it was an ignition misfire.

[@geraldkirk4268]

You might have done this already. Could you recommend a scope for someone that is on a budget? Thank you for the videos.

[@RKSTEBBINS23]

You guys have any videos using the ats scope of battery chargers to make sure your getting clean power?

[@nickheiland3397]

You could have unhooked the brake booster hose or something like that to make it lean.

[@knockywigglesworth1909]

It's a Dura CraP coil.. Do I win the prize? Dense or motorcraft/ OE only on Ford

[@ivansperanza]

Well, if the owner disconnected the coil and drove the vehicle 50 miles to your shop, i think that would've caused a cylinder misfire and the pcm sensing the misfire,more than likely shut the injector off to prevent cat damage.

[@johnpastor8595]

Hi Sherwood. Where can I find the scope leads you used.

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Automotive Test Solutions has them.

[@paulgilliland2992]

Who is the tech in Los Angeles that you spoke of ? Shani or Sheni I believe was his name . It’s hard to find a good diagnosis tech here , they all want to change parts .

[@kevinminor2558]

Wonder is Bernie is giving him a kick back for Using all his tools?

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

We don’t get any kick back from Bernie. He did send us his gas analyzer as a gift a while back which we were grateful for, but we have no incentive for using his tools in our videos. 👍

[@kevinminor2558]

@@theroyaltyautoservice I run my own shop in New Orleans Louisiana. Major Minor Auto. Your top notch! You do a great job I feel like I have a lot in common with you I wish I could meet you someday.

[@joejimenez5496]

Where can you purchase the instrument you used on the coil at? I have the same scope

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Automotive Test Solutions has them.

[@tylerwilliams3868]

why do you use the scope you do? any benefits over a picoscope? JW im more used to looking at a picoscope cuz thats what i have

[@DirtyWorm12]

Where do you get those ecops? I have an ATS ecop that looks different, but I'm interested in those

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

These are the older ones. You probably have the newer ones.

[@daveunbranded]

If you swapped the polarity of the power wires, would that have worked?

[@erickvqz77]

What tablet are u using ?

[@jessebrooks7201]

The coil windings are not backwards the connector is upside down changing polarity with the wires that is wild

[@cruze1953]

Agreed. It is evident from the connector tang 180 degrees off causing the plug to flip ergo reversing the polarity.

[@danieljohnson9371]

Royalty Auto, where did you get those ECOP leads, I’ve searched everywhere and cannot seem to find them anywhere

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Automotive Test Solutions has them. They have a newer version so they look a little different.

[@charlespaluha1247]

At 10 minutes in why are the two on the bottom left in red blurred out

[@ecotec4]

Whats the tablet your using for the ats escan?

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Microsoft Surface Pro 9.

[@toddcathyfranklin4189]

Junk coil from Amazon probably did it once

[@Filterfinder]

My 06 ranger 3.0 turns on in clear flood mode and is getting gas in the oil any ideas?

[@CharlesLease-ei1ee]

You could do it this way it’ll make them whole motor line run lean take a pair of hose clamp crimpers pinched the fuel line

[@1MiketheMechanic]

It's nylon line and will get damaged. He could have created a vacuum leak.

[@daveunbranded]

I was thinking he had put the helicoil in too far and it was grounding the spark too weak. Just a guess

[@trublue2319]

How much for some escope in person training?

[@theroyaltyautoservice]

Message me on Facebook and I'll get in touch with you.

[@Ottonic6]

Why not show the brand of the coil?

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

Coil is elcheapo brand

[@ThunderbirdRocket]

Elcheapo brand comes back to bite you in the butt / wallet

[@sheerwillsurvival2064]

@@ThunderbirdRocket yup