Misfire Case Study (2011 Dodge Avenger 2.4L)

The tests in this video can be used when diagnosing misfires. Procedures can vary between manufacturers.
In this video we are working on a 2011 Dodge Avenger. This vehicle has a 2.4L engine. Customer complaint is a check engine light. The trouble codes stored are P0303 cylinder 3 misfire and P2308 cylinder 3 ignition coil insufficient ionization.
My first test is to check for power and ground at the cylinder 3 ignition coil. The power supply check is good, as I move over to the ground side the ignition coil starts smoking and melts right in front of me! what happened?! What caused this coil to melt?! Lets find out.
I hope you guys enjoy this video and thanks for watching.

[@wyattoneable]

That was a fantastic find. Knowing what your suppose to see is key, and you nailed it. A lot of shops would have just replaced the coil and call it a day. Great job.

[@roadkill5333]

Good catch, Tom!! I'm not sure that most folks would have kept looking. And had that coil not smoked in your hands, you may not have looked for another issue! It's good that it happened when it did! Saved that coil for your used parts box. You never know when you'll need to put it on something else, in a pinch! Lol

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

I threw that thing in the trash. The smell of Electrical burning is terrible. That’s also why I had those pretty green gloves on lol

[@wysetech2000]

Very well done, Tom. Most would figure the coil was shorted and replaced it but your video shows that you have to check everything. You need to make sure there isn't another cause.

[@johnaclark1]

Fantastic video! I'm not sure I would have found that but once you explained it then it all made sense. Thanks for this one!

[@JoseJimenez-mp1iy]

Not to much storage of energy, after magnetic core got saturated, the DC component heat the coil... awesome detective work!!! well excellent done!!

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Tommy. Good job. I appreciate your videos. Have a blessed and safe week.

[@bobt2082]

Nice diag on this one, thanks for sharing. Once a coil is turned on by a short it turns into a space heater!...lol

[@jeremieparker5703]

Great to see you back man.. Really nice diagnoses brother awesome findings. Thank you for sharing

[@robsolo7767]

Great video 📹 this channel is about to blow up.

[@SuperMarioDiagnostics]

That'll leave a carbon trace! 😆 great to see you buddy, keep em coming!

[@themechanic6117]

Great work. That short to ground really put that coil to work! 😁

[@CPUTests]

Very good! At least you go after a probable cause for the coil being cooked like it was and endeed there was a problem on the wires to the PCM. The control wire was shorting to GND making that coil staying on all the time thus killing that coil. Very good work and very good investigation just like you do in your good work that can be seen on your videos. They are excellent and your work too. Thank you for taking some of your time editing this videos containing good information for other professionals on the field. Best regards and sorry about my poor english.

[@andrewk778]

Interesting and informative. Thank you for sharing. Welcome back.

[@ozzstars_cars]

Nice find Tommy. Tough wire to get out. Sounded kind of like Scanner Danner at the end of the vid with the voice over. 🤣😉

[@mbarry9737]

Awesome find, very logical process! Nice work, Tommy.

[@for2utube]

That’s what happens when you put DC into an AC circuit. The coil saturates, then, in next instant, massive heat. Must be a current limiter in the driver circuit to prevent it from immediate damage.

[@for2utube]

And, yes, technically it’s pulsed DC that’s used in a proper circuit. Pulsed at a short enough cycle as to not saturate the coil.

[@jaybox4284]

Thanks I found a short causing a misfire the exact same spot must be a factory misdesign on how tight that harness is against the motor in areas

[@HomieHektor]

Another great example of Cause and Effect 🤙🏼 that’s why I hate 10mm bolts 😎

[@mfsperring]

Great catch. Proof of the value of keep asking questions. Interesting as hell.

[@emidiovillanueva334]

I'm sooo glad i found this video saved me time to diagnose thank you sir

[@EXOVCDS]

Very well spotted.

[@stevensmith7133]

I have one in my shop right now. Cylinder 4 misfire. Control wire melted in a few spots and shorted out the battery feed. Driver in computer is also toast.

[@train4905]

Absolutely brilliant sir. Well done. A butifull job. Steve from the uk

[@flatratemaster]

Nice find Tommy!

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Thanks brother. And thanks again for the Pico newsletter info

[@aarongingerich1478]

I post this in case it helps someone. Had the same problem (MISFIRE P030x). I changed my throttle body, then tried my plugs, then tried my ignition coils, all of it costing me around $300 in parts only to find out that it was my Crankshaft Position Sensor at the transmission. A $20 part! This rough idle, misfire code can be a tricky one! Try the cheap stuff first my friends.

[@JoesAutoElectric]

Nicely done man! Great diagnostic!

[@DmitriyL_Arithmechanics]

Great study, Tom! The smelloscope really helped to find the root cause. One question (if it's possible to tell) -- was the harness riding on that bolt from the factory, or was it moved by some previous repairs?

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

There were factory zip ties holding the harness in place. I think it was there from the factory.

[@guayaco-dm3vu]

Excellent diag. Tommy. N here i was thinking another issue like that ford edge

[@sprinter35000]

Excellent video and even better diagnostic skills.

[@Airman..]

Top notch diag 👍

[@susancrawford5160]

what is that specific part called, i need to replace it? pigtail harness? engine coil connector?

[@baxrok2.]

Another sweet diag. Thanks!

[@Z14kt12timandjes1]

Nice work!

[@Pablo_Automotive]

Great job Tom thanks for share.

[@nicknicu1787]

Great case study Tom,very interesting! 👍

[@chubbsblox7284]

Great job & video

[@timjkiely]

Brilliant video

[@aymenmohamed1134]

Awesome

[@2secondslater]

Nice diag!

[@electrocar64]

Great thanks for sharing

[@naushadali95]

Great video as usual.

[@fredflintstone8048]

Good catch.

[@jgeorges3061]

Tommy, great one and very interesting finding keep them coming. cheeeeeers

[@Jam-kq6hw]

Good video keep them coming

[@roadkill5333]

I hope I ain't the only one who thought "SMOKE EM IF YA GOT EM"! Lol

[@bigpencap]

Dude great diag I’m learning from you

[@smms1276]

WELL DONE 👍, THANK YOU 👍

[@PaulysAuto]

Crazy man! You must have been rolling in laughter.

[@d.d4184]

Very nice.

[@tajindersingh7932]

Watched ur every single video... As a viewer give some more and sharp info like Eric or danner's video..like more detail while backprobing wires... And plz plz make a video about vw wiring diagram pattern..I or other don't understand u showing diagrams so plz atleast make one video.thankxx

[@stuartbruce9368]

Great video 👍

[@jonathancisneros7150]

Those dodge avengers smh 🤦‍♂️. Perfect lemon car.

[@usateam.]

fuck off

[@chriscanty8214]

Nice video

[@LUISREY1995]

Nice diagnosis !!!

[@stevedecker9041]

How do you remove the swelled coil easily?

[@shawnsweatsr5410]

What’s the part # for that harness? And where can we order it

[@BrianMann216]

Nice Work!

[@joachimjohan1215]

did you or the pcm auto deactivate fuel delivery to the cylinder ?

[@820performancecomptonbro4]

How do you get so good any advice

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

You learn from experience. And sticking to basics. The fundamentals do not change

[@blockbertus]

Well, there is your problem, lady!

[@everyway4k474]

Did you find fix for issue. I have same car similar issue.

[@givenslydale6520]

For code P0302 do you know exactly what it is Sir

[@joseorellana7952]

Eres grande my friend

[@johnturner8829]

Dude! You losing "control" of that beard? Another great vid, thanks for that.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

My beard diagnoses pretty much every car I look at.

[@jeromewhite2148]

Where are you located at in Pittsburgh I have a 2013 dodge journey having same issues followed your video still having issues

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

The shop I’m at is in Dormont

[@richard1835]

Great Video.. Thumbs Up.

[@coldfire0866]

Awesome fucking video, I appreciate the details! Great job!

[@rbbbjl1]

Could u have used a noid light instead of a test light, may have been easier to do, thanks for the video.

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Yes. If you had one that would fit the connector that would have worked too

[@babygirl3615]

How can I tell where the 3rd cylinder is ? Is it left to right or right to left? I stepped on the gas and it started misfiring bad blinking check engine light so made it to Auto zone and it said the 3rd Cylinder but I was told it could be coil,plugs, wiring, I replaced plugs and still misfiring 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ any advice or information that can help me? Pls n thanks

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Start from the belt side and count. The Cylinder closest to the belt side is cyl 1, if this is 4cylinder engine

[@babygirl3615]

@@PositiveLeadDiagnostics Its a 2.4 16 cal. Yes, I finally found it, But I've replaced the Spark Plugs, Coil packs, Changed oil, well the misfire stopped but it's still running rough, 1- When driving, lift foot off pedal n place it back to accelerate you feel a bump bump bump in the pedal.. 2) When coming to a stop as RPMs dropping they shoot back up🤦‍♀️🤔 Especially if AC is on then everything dims down for a second including AC pressure, Idk if it's possible to correspond through email, That would be great if not that's ok too, [e-mail] thank you so much for getting back to me

[@shenanigansalv317]

P0420 coming next 🤔

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Very possible

[@attilamadarasz3630]

@@PositiveLeadDiagnostics or 2.nd o2 sensor high circuit,or p00xx cause crank sensor gone?relay box problem on caliber? :)

[@stevedecker9041]

How to remove swelled coil easily?

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

The ones that I have had to remove usually break the boot off. Then I just use long picks and long pliers to peel the rubber off of the spark plug

[@attilamadarasz3630]

nice job buddy

[@vencentbauer]

Nice job ecm should be just fine

[@moulinrougeist]

Great video again Tommy Try and limit the phrase "pretty much" Just a bit of constructive criticism 😉

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Yeah. That’s a hard one to cut. One of my go to phrases. Lol. Thanks for the tip

[@jerrybassoquiny6050]

MY CAR DOSNT PICK UP SPEED WHEN I GET 9N FREEWAY..

[@fastlanejojo7765]

Where are u located??

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Pittsburgh pa

[@maxfromca]

Man you are a Pro! I really need your help please, i have touareg 2007 3.6 V6 engine and Error codes P2293 and P12A4. Replaced: tank fuel pump, HPFP, Hight pressure regulator, low pressure regulator, pressure release valve, but no luck, some noice under the hood in HPFP area, sometimes misfire codes on few cylinders, sometimes random misfire code, than code gone and only 2 above, i do not know what to do, car in service in CA and they can not find a reason. Give me some advice please. I really wait your answer, thank you in advance.

[@maxfromca]

93000 miles on it, something cause high pressure in fuel ramp, can it be because of timing chain issue? HPFP performance connected with timing in this engine or no? Please give me some advice what to check and where to look!

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

Do you have access to a scan tool? Is the rail pressure too high or too low?

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

If the command is is 100 percent then check the timing of the hpfp. It is chain driven

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

P2293 Fuel Pressure Regulator Performance (upper limit exceeded)- caused by a timing issue kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp6WXmZsetCKfbs

[@maxfromca]

Positive Lead Diagnostics pressure in the rail is to high

[@sara78130]

BEST U ARE

[@roadkill5333]

Do you work in a No Smoking shop? Did you get in trouble for smoking a coil, while on the job? ;-P

[@richardc6038]

I thought it was a over loded driver

[@PositiveLeadDiagnostics]

It could have went either way. Either a shorted harness or driver stuck on

[@chriscanty8214]

Scanner danner jr

[@throttlebottle5906]

it's a dodge, it was a "miss" from the start :))

[@mitchellroberson]

Great video as usual.

[@fuckjewtube69]

Very nice.