I dont recommend you delay dealing with the P0302 problem as the misfire can eventually damage your engine and the catalytic converter and what could be a simple cheap repair will turn into thousands of dollars worth of repairs.
Diagnosing misfires can be sometimes challenging, but I have a complete step-by-step guide to diagnose misfires for you, as well as the study of 120 vehicles with misfires which will give you ideas about which components are causing it in your vehicle.
P0302 quick overview
| Meaning | P0302: Cylinder #2 Misfire Detected |
| Is it serious? | Yes, this code is serious and should be addressed immediately to prevent further damage to the engine or catalytic converter. |
| Possible causes | -Worn or faulty spark plug in cylinder #2 -Defective ignition coil for cylinder #2 -Malfunctioning fuel injector for cylinder #2 -Timing issues (e.g., incorrect valve timing) -Vacuum leak affecting cylinder #2 -Internal engine issues (e.g., valve problems or damaged head gasket) -Wiring or electrical connection problems related to cylinder #2 |
| How to diagnose? | Inspect Spark Plug: Check the spark plug in cylinder #2 for signs of wear or fouling. Test Ignition Coil: Swap the ignition coil with another cylinder to see if the misfire moves. Check Fuel Injector: Perform a swap or test of the fuel injector in cylinder #2 to confirm it’s functioning correctly. Inspect Vacuum System: Check for vacuum leaks, particularly around the intake manifold and PCV valve. Perform Compression Test: Conduct a compression test on cylinder #2 to rule out internal mechanical issues. Inspect Timing Components: Examine the timing belt or chain and related components for misalignment or damage. Inspect Wiring: Examine wiring and connections related to cylinder #2 for any faults or loose connections. |
P0302 Meaning
The P0302 code shows that your car’s engine isn’t burning fuel properly in cylinder #2. This can cause the engine to run poorly and might lead to more expensive damage if not fixed soon. Start by checking the spark plug, ignition coil, and fuel injector in that cylinder.
Diagnostics Introduction!
- Automotive electrical basics
- OBD-II scanner basics
- Using cheap tools to diagnose faults
- Bi-directional scan tool introduction
- OBD-II scanner Buyer’s Guide
- Free diagnostics training
Case study: real cases of solving P0302
I checked specifically for code P0302 and picked these 5 example fixes from my full case study of 123 vehicles with misfires.
How to fix P0302 on Honda
Car: 1998 Honda CR-V EX 2.0L
Problem: Misfire, P0301, P302, Check engine
Diagnosing: The technician knew that car had a valve job a few thousand miles ago, so he tried replacing the distributor cap first which is a common problem on older vehicles with misfires.
Fix: Final fix was done by adjusting the valves.
How to fix P0302 on dodge
Car: 1996 Dodge B2500 5.2L
Problem: Misfire, P0301, P0302
Diagnosing: Technician did some testing by replacing the spark plugs and testing the fuel system pressure which showed healthy 45 PSI. He was able to discover intermittent weird acting of the fuel pump.
Fix: New fuel pump.
How to fix P0302 on Toyota
Car: 2000 Toyota Avalon XL 3.0L
Problem: Misfire, P0302
Diagnosing: Freeze frame data pointed out the problem happened under load at a higher speed which should eliminate vacuum leaks. The technician tried to replace the ignition coil and spark plug on cylinder #2. The code was back so he swapped fuel injectors and the misfire moved with the injector on the other cylinder.
Fix: New fuel injector fixed the problem.
How to fix P0302 on Jaguar
Car: 2000 Jaguar S-Type 4.0L
Problem: Misfire, P0302
Diagnosing: The technician replaced the spark plugs which seemed to work for a few days, but the customer was back. Then he tried to swap the ignition coil from cylinder #2 with another one. The misfire moved to the other cylinder confirming the faulty ignition coil.
Fix: Replace the ignition coil.
How to fix P0302 on Audi
Car: 2003 Audi A4 1.8L
Problem: Misfire, P0302, Poor idle, P1136, P1297, P0303, P0304
Diagnosing: Both the symptoms (poor idle) and VW/Audi codes pointing out the low intake pressure was signaling there is a vacuum leak in the air intake.
Fix: Replacing the PCV valve fixed the problem.
The key takeaways from these cases
- Never rely on what previous mechanics fixed/replaced on the car. Always do your own diagnosis from the start
- Don’t replace ignition coils/fuel injectors before confirming they are causing the problem. You can do that very easily by swapping them and you can see if the misfire moved with them
- Check the freeze frame. If the code was set under load, you don’t have to look for vacuum leaks. (You can confirm by checking fuel trims under load).
- Don’t go to dealerships. They will just throw new expensive parts on it randomly, until the problem is fixed, costing you a lot more money than diagnosing it properly.
P0302 FAQ and conclusion:
Check the Wikipedia article on combustion engines if you are still unsure what exactly the misfire is. Understanding it will help you with your diagnosis.
The key takeaways from these cases
- Don’t change coils/spark plugs unless you confirm they are faulty (do a swap test at least)
- A lot of misfire cases are caused by internal engine damage/timing so don’t rush with replacing ignition/fuel parts without further diagnosis
- Your diagnosing is sometimes right, but only the OEM part will solve the issue
Diagnostics Introduction!
- Automotive electrical basics
- OBD-II scanner basics
- Using cheap tools to diagnose faults
- Bi-directional scan tool introduction
- OBD-II scanner Buyer’s Guide
- Free diagnostics training
I test OBD-II scanners and make DIY Engine diagnostics guides to help you solve your car problems without having to depend on the mechanic. A lot of them will try to scam you or are just no help at all. About Juraj Lukacko