I was just wondering, how would you know if you would only firing on 7 cylinders?? Is there a code for this? I only ask because while troubleshooting a recent problem I pulled an ignition cable to reach something else. When I cranked the car I had forgotten to plug the ignition cable back in. The car still fired up fine and to be honest I would never have known the difference. I didnt get any codes for it either. So I ask, how would you know if you botched a spark plug or wire and were only firing on 7?? Thanks

if you pull a spark plug wire it will have a dead miss. you should be able to pick up the skip.

floor that sucker. You will know. It may not be so obvious at idle, but when you want power and can't get it, you'll know. And I am sure the code is there, it is just pending meaning it noticed the problem but it hasn't been happening long enough to put on the light.

What do you mean the "skip"?? I have heard that term before but I dont really know what I am looking for......?

A cylinder not firing will usually set a code in the PCM and you should easily feel it trying to drive it. Most people with a good ear will hear it not running correctly either.

Several things happen when the engine has a cylinder that isnt firing. The problem can be caused by a number of reasons:

Bad plug
Bad wire
Low or no compression
bad valve
bad valve spring
Bent pushrod
ETC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

If the PCM detects a cylinder misfire,,What you will see is this:

The PCM will set a P-0300 DTC if the mis is detected. That DTC will ONLY display during that period of thime that the engine is running. If you turn the ignition OFF,,,it will reset. Yes you can read the DTC while the engine is running!

If the PCM detects a mis-fire and sets a DTC ir will cause the "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (CEL) to flash.

Like it was previously recommended, if you LOAD the engine, the misfire will show up more.

BC

Good deal, thanks for the help. The car isn't lagging at all and im not getting any codes so I guess it isn't a problem.