The P0302 code refers to a misfire in cylinder #2. Any misfire is far from ideal and needs repairing as soon as possible.
In this guide, I will talk about the P0302, why there’s a malfunction, and what you can do to repair it.
To start, I’ll examine the importance of the P0302 code.
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What Does The P0302 Code Mean?
The P0302 is described as “Cylinder #2 Misfire Detected.”
No surprises here; this means you have a defect in the #2 engine cylinder.
A misfire is when the blend of air and fuel isn’t igniting – or at least isn’t igniting consistently.
It’s a grave problem because the reduced power will impact your ability to react. The imbalanced motor could strain weaker components and joints, and your fuel economy will also diminish.
If an OBD II scan reveals a P0302 code, address it swiftly.
Which Cylinder Is Cylinder #2?
This is a fine question. To make it appealing, there isn’t an international standard for how manufacturers number cylinders.
The rule is typically uniform within one manufacturer and its engine types. Of course, there aren’t that many possible options.
Most manufacturers begin counting at the timing cover end of the block. The initial cylinder would be “1”, the second “2”, and so on. But you should still always verify because, as mentioned, there’s no universal standard.
Different manufacturers also number V-engines differently. Ford, Audi, and Porsche V8s are number 1-2-3-4 down one side and 5-6-7-8 down the other. Among others, Dodge and GM (Chevrolet, GMC Buick, and Cadillac) number the banks 1-3-5-7 and 2-4-6-8 in a distinctive manner.
As you can see, it’s sometimes difficult to tell which cylinder is #2.
Your owner’s manual should have the answers. You could also turn to the internet – just make sure you verify your sources.
One last thing to note – the cylinder number isn’t the same as the firing order. Don’t get those confused. You’ll waste your time examining the wrong cylinder.
What Are The Symptoms Of The P0302 Diagnostic Code?
The main symptom of a misfire in cylinder #2 – or indeed any cylinder – is reduced power.
You’ll still be able to drive along okay, but you’ll feel a pronounced dip in power output. This is most apparent when accelerating hard or attempting to travel at high speeds.
You’ll also feel vibrations, especially through the gear selector. The misfire makes the engine unstable. These tremors then travel through the transmission and chassis and into your cabin.
You’ll also experience an uneven idle. The car might feel like it’s about to stall at any moment when you aren’t moving or revving the engine.
In specific cases, it might even completely stall.
Finally, you’ll notice heightened fuel consumption. Cylinder #2 still uses fuel, but it’s not producing any power.
The engine still uses the same amount of gas, but its overall performance is lower. In other words, it’s less effective, and you’ll see your mpg decrease.
Cylinder #2 Misfire Causes
Misfires can be caused by almost anything. In one cylinder, these include (but aren’t confined to):
- Old or soot-caked spark plug
- Failing injector
- Broken ignition coil
- Faulty valves
- Bad MAF or MAP sensor
- Pressure leak (piston rings, head gasket)
- Crankshaft or camshaft position sensor
- Electrical fault (including PCM (ECU) issue)
The root cause could also be emissions-related. These lead to the ECU mixing the air and fuel to be excessively rich or lean. As a result, you get a misfire.
- Faulty EGR valve
- Clogged EGR passages
- Damaged oxygen (lambda) sensor
- Blocked catalytic converter
In most cases, these would affect all the cylinders rather than just #2. However, they’re still worth examining. If there are other faults in cylinder #2, these might be making it more noticeable.
How Do You Fix A Cylinder #2 Misfire?
To resolve the P0302 code, you must find and address the fundamental cause behind the misfire.
If there are any other codes present, note them down. They might be linked, especially if they’re to do with misfires or emissions.
Follow the sequence below when examining components. They’re arranged by the most likely.
- Spark plug – check its condition and the gap.
- Ignition coil – use a multimeter to check for an electrical path.
- Fuel injector – again, check its condition using a multimeter.
- MAF and MAP sensors – if these are faulty, look for extra codes on the code reader.
- Emissions components.
9 times out of 10, a basic ignition component will have clogged up or failed. Replace the old, defective part with a new one.
In the case of spark plugs and ignition coils, consider replacing the entire set if you can. Fuel injectors tend to be too costly for this.
Beyond these components, you’ll need expert help to diagnose and fix the cylinder #2 misfire.
Practically, if the issue isn’t with the vital ignition parts – and it frequently is – then you should go to a car specialist.
In the shop, mechanics can do many more comprehensive tests. For example, they might do a compression test to see if the cylinder holds pressure. If this fails, it likely has a broken piston ring or a crack in the wall.
They can also conduct more thorough checks on your valves and internal mechanisms.
Finally, with the comprehensive code readers’ mechanics have, they might spot something you can’t see.
How Much Does It Cost To Repair A P0302 Engine Code?
Provided the misfire is an ignition component, you shouldn’t expect to pay too much. Here are a few estimates for you to ponder over.
- Spark plugs – a standard set of plugs, including labor, should be about $100. Try cleaning and gapping the plugs first if you want to save money. Spark plugs are probably the most straightforward mechanical job to try yourself, too, if you want to save a bit of money.
- Ignition coil – about $75 per coil.
- Fuel injector – about $200 per injector.
- MAF sensor – somewhere in the region of $250 (but try cleaning it first).
- MAP sensor – around $125.
Emissions components are a bit more complicated to estimate. You should be able to get your system cleaned out with a carbon cleaning company. This might cost around $100.
You could also buy a carbon-cleaning fuel supplement for as little as $15. These might help, although you should use them multiple times if the problem’s severe enough.
You’ll need a costly diagnosis and repair if it comes down to an ECU fault. Expect to pay up to $1,000 and quite possibly more. Thankfully, this is uncommon.
In a worst-case scenario – if cylinder #2 isn’t holding pressure – you’ll need an engine rebuild. You should expect to pay at least $3,000 for this expensive procedure.
Conclusion
Seeing a P0302 engine code might be discouraging, but at least it’s letting you know precisely where the problem is. This saves more diagnosis work and means you can concentrate on finding the problem.
If you have a more serious problem, consider how much the car is worth. Is it worth scrapping it and buying a new one? Maybe.
In the vast majority of cases, the misfire in cylinder #2 is down to the spark plug. It’s also not unusual to see the ignition coil have a problem. Injectors aren’t the root cause quite so often.
Your least expensive option is to try to diagnose and fix the problem yourself. If you aren’t sure, head to your trusted local mechanic.
