How I fixed my {{MODEL}} on my own

MISC / DIY & Tools

D. Brooks

Last weekend, it started giving me trouble. It wouldn't start on the first try, and when it did, it ran rough, like it was about to stall. I'm a computer scientist, not a mechanic, so I was a bit confused. I thought maybe it was bad gas, but then the check engine light came on. A friend plugged in a cheap scanner, and boom,code P0302: misfire on cylinder 2. A mechanic probably would've charged me a few hundred bucks just to diagnose it, so I figured I'd try fixing it myself. Here's how I did it and saved a bunch of cash.

The tools I used
Nothing fancy, just basic mechanical workshop tools. The most important ones you'll need are a multimeter, a socket wrench, a few spanners, and some elbow grease.

Repair tools

Luckily a friend of a friend had the service manual. It had a troubleshooting guide that broke everything down step by step, what could cause a misfire, how to disassemble anything... As a dev I was impressed. With these instructions, I was able to track down the problem and fix it myself.

I'm sharing this repair manual for free. I just ask that you complete a short offer, it helps me keep the blog going. Thanks!

Manual guide
Download {{MODEL}} repair manual

Please leave a comment after downloading, it's always a pleasure to know my work has helped someone!

Last Comments

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How I Fixed the misfire myself

This beginner-friendly video really helped me while I was learning how cars work!

Video Thumbnail

  • Pulled the Spark Plug (page 45 in the manual above) - First thing I did was take out the spark plug for cylinder 2. It was all fouled up, probably from bad combustion.
  • Checked the Ignition Coil - Swapped the ignition coil with another cylinder to see if the misfire moved. Nope,so the coil was fine.
  • Identified the Culprit - Turned out the spark plug was just toast. Probably old and worn out.
  • Replaced the Spark Plug - Picked up a new plug for $8 at the auto parts store, gapped it properly, and installed it.
  • Cleared the Code & Test Drove - Reset the check engine light, took it for a spin, and it ran smooth as butter. Problem solved!

Update: 3 Months Later

It's been three months, and my {{MODEL}} is still running strong,no rough idle, no hesitation, and no check engine light. Honestly, this was way easier than I expected, and now I feel way more confident handling little fixes myself.