Sputterin' TJ

mud4feet

New member
OK, I'll try to explain this the best I can.....wondering if any other TJ owners have experienced the same. 2003 TJ SE 4banger with 46,000 miles, stock gears, stock suspension, 31's.
This is, like, the fourth time this has happened since I've owned Lucille. Started when I made a turn heading home from work, gas gauge was kinda low, turned the corner and it starts missing real bad, poppin' like a backfire, but I swear I can feel it in the pedal, like its in the exhaust somewhere. Runs really bad, on 3 cylinders, I'm shiftin' like crazy trying to keep up the revs. After a bit, the "malfunction light" (previously refered to as the "Check Engine Light") starts flashing, which my owners manual says is BAD, serious emissions system damage iminent. Well, I limp on home - had to put it in 4WL to get up my driveway (being sure to keep 2 wheels in the dirt!). Get up in the morning, head off to work, sputtering for a while, and then, magically, she starts runnin' fine! The malfunction light is still lit (solidly, now), but if past experience holds true, it'll go off in a day or two. The only code I got was P0303 - misfire on cylinder 3 (no shite!!). Anybody else got a clue as to what's going on? It's really aggravating, although I can't seem to detect any damage being done. I trust y'alls opinion more than that of the stealership, so any ideas?? (don't tell me to chuck it and get a YJ - I owe too much).
'Preciate all replys,

mud
 

Does your motor have coil packs for each cylinder?
I have a 6 in my TJ so I am not sure what the 4's look like now...
 
The ignition system will occasionally work sporadically, especially when a defect allows moisture to penetrate. You'll have to have the trouble code reset by a scanner or by disconnecting the battery for 15min. I'd reset it and see if it ever occurs again.

A flashing MIL is a bad thing, owner's manuals always recommend shutting the engine off for immediate maintenance. A vehicle can be limped along on a solid MIL.
 

berettajeep said:
Does your motor have coil packs for each cylinder?
I have a 6 in my TJ so I am not sure what the 4's look like now...
No the 2.4l has a single coil pack.
 
OK, no real good responses. the light went off again (as expected) but somethin' aint right!! Bounty, I'll spray her down with some sealant and cross my fingers. Hope I haven't done any serious damage driving with that stinking light flashing (not the first time). I read somewhere that you can't reset the codes on the newer ones by unhooking the battery, but I'll give it a shot (man!!, gotta reset the clock and my radio presets :cry: ). Thanx all.

When, exactly, did computers take over our wheels???????
 
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