2.2L Ecotec Engine misfiring fixed! (realtime troubleshooting repair saga on Oldsmobile 2003 Alero)
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- Опубліковано 19 жов 2024
- Troubleshooting then replacing various ignition components until engine is repaired: plugs, plug boots, ignition controller, ignition coil assembly. Includes how to and pricing, and hopefully a little entertaining. This was for a 2003 oldsmobile Alero, but this engine is found in lots of GM cars.
Disclaimer: I am not a mechanic, but I am an engineer, for what that's worth! ;)
This is the way a "how to" video should be done with multiple parts!
Methodically do part by part, one at a time. Showing the difference or effect each new part does or doesn't do.
To the point and no excessive narrative pointless talking. Well done video Sir.
* bonus side is you have new plugs & boots- which you should do anyhow with a new coil pack. And now you have a spare ignition control module to keep on had- just in case
Upon seeing that spark plug, here's how the chain of events unfolded. Lack of regular maintenance allowed the plug gap to grow excessively. The spark plug required so much extra output from the coil that the energy inside the coil was great enough to cause arcing in the secondary windings. This in turn ate away the insulation and shorted the secondary windings. The energy no longer going to spark plug was back-feeding through the coil and putting a strain on the ignition module. The only parts that may not have been necessary to change were the coil boots. However there is a strong possibility their integrity could have been compromised by the excessive energy looking for a place to go. A regular maintenance schedule for spark plugs could have prevented this kind of repair, and maybe prevented this video.
You're exactly right! The first thing to check should have been the plugs for wear/carbon tracking. Then I would have replaced the coil pack, especially if you don't know the history.
Thank you for that GREAT explanation! It makes perfect sense. Worn away plugs required higher voltage to jump the larger gap, which exceeded the voltage breakdown rating of the transformer secondary, and once that shorted, it resulted in repeated overcurrent stresses on the ignition module electronics, which then failed. I'm a bit embarrassed haha that I didn't put that all together given that I'm an electrical engineer! :p
Thanks for educating me, much appreciated!
Very well done video. You used a methodical and problem eliminating approach, which is always the best way.
The only thing I would have done differently would have been to replace everything all at once. I would have started with the air filter. Since you had the engine “open“ I would’ve done all the boots and the plugs at the same time; I would’ve also replaced the ignition coil, and ICM.
That way, the engine would have been good for another 150 thousand miles. Assuming no other issues.
Anyway, great job.
Sometimes you just have to do things the old school way when ya aint got the high tech computers to check everything out with, called the process of elimination!! I still have to do it myself as well🤔😬🙄🤷♂️🤣
Very good video. I have the same issue with my 2007 Saturn Vue 2.2 L. I just ordered the coil pack with the ignition module and will also check and replace the plugs. Loved the intermission. Cheers!
I got both ignition coil and module for $121. Well I got the entire assembly and spark plugs for $147. Then I erased the codes and it turned the check engine soon light off.. After replacing everything the trac off light turned off. Your video is helpful.
Great troubleshooting piece. I’m helping a lady fix her car with the same symptoms. I shared this video and tools with her. She fixed her ‘05 Malibu her self!
Thanks for your help and your daughters interlude.
Damn I miss those prices 4 years ago!
Thanks bro,... I just traded out the coil pack and spark plugs on my Pontiac grand am with the same engine... took back the electronic unit unopened... you saved me money cause I would’ve changed the ECM first cause it was easy to get to.
Had the same exact issue on my daughters car! fixed it yesterday! thanks for the information!
great job!!! the extra parts are worth as "preventive measures". cool clip.
Amazing video 📹 Joel!!! I have a 2005 Chevy Malibu 2.2 4cyl and the same problem occurred 2 days ago. The showing code was (P0300 Random misfire detected), I've changed the spark plugs and the coil pack except for the (boots and ignition module). Cleaned the throttle body, and checked for any leaks just to make sure. So far so good 😎
same here but the problem returned after a few months so i am going to change the module too this time and i switched to ac delco plugs , i have used ngk a few times but they didn't seem to last too long, other than that the alero is a pretty solid and economical ride
I have a 2003 Saturn L series, same engine as this. Last year, it was running OK, but at more than 200K miles, I wanted to prevent problems. For the benefit of others with this setup, NGK sells a complete unit (coil pack, control module, & new boots). I think that's a respectable name in electronic parts. It is # U6026 and less than $ 100 on Amazon, maybe a little more or less elsewhere. There might be other complete sets also, for different models, if this one does not fit your setup. And I use AC Delco #410105 Iridium spark plugs (original in my Saturn), which can be expensive, but often, you can find a mail-in rebate for buying 4 plugs. Just suggestions if someone else is going down this road for this engine.
Cool video ... yea I sometimes have that problem a little injector cleaner in the gas tank worked wonders for me and got new spark plugs
Grandmas alero has 296k miles, all parts replaced by me and all eBay parts. First time I’m doing this gasket it on it, appreciate the video. I can watch this as I do it, I know it’s been a couple years but any chance you get anymore videos for this car, post it.
You can test the original coil pack and ignition control module before swapping in new parts. First check the coil pack for continuity and resistance. A dud coil will show dead (primary) circuit for 2 cylinders (1 & 4 or 2 & 3). A dud (secondary ( high voltage)) coil lead will show one defective cylinder connection. If the coil pack is OK then the problem is with the ignition controller. You can test for pulses as the engine is cranked (again a pin for 2&3 and one for 1&4) center pin is hot. As in this case, often they fail together so replacing both is required.
This is me doing anything mechanical or construction wise. That didnt work, that didnt work, that didnt work. This is above my pay grade! 🤘😆
Dude!! You just saved me money I could not figure out what was wrong with this car and after changing the boots and spark plugs it was still running like 💩. I didn't know whether to buy the module and coil pack with this video helped me troubleshoot the problem
Parts cannon fire away! Been there a dozen times lol
U could always take the underneath screws off to maintain the ecotec badge from the coil like I did. All needed to be changed anyway good Video
Love the video especially the intermission so cute, if I may give a little advice always start your bolts by hand then use the driver especially when working on anything that has aluminum parts, could have been an even more expensive repair if cross threaded or stripped one of the bolts. Just some friendly advice from someone who learned that the hard way.
went thru the same thing, but topping P 0300 into the search engine sent me to ignition coil first so u go one from ebay for forty, but that only worked for a few months so now i am waiting for a new coil and module, still only 90 on ebay , i will check back in and let you know if it worked
NGK makes the entire coil, boots and ICM, for $77
Thank you for the film. Can you tell what grease goes inside of the ICM and possibly where do you apply it? In my coil compartment ( to the very right under the bigger connector) for the ICM there was a blob of some grease. Is it supposed to be there? And if so what grease is it? For the new ICM AC
Delco gives a pack of grease to put on the female connectors, but where exactly? And nothing said to put into the coil compartment. Do you put any grease on the metallic plate of the module?
Dielectric grease, cheap and commonly available at auto parts store in USA. Apply between any conducting surfaces. Don't need to apply to nonconducting surfaces. The cooling fins and other surfaces of the module are not intended to conduct electricity... So do not grease them. Grease between spark plugs and inside the plug boot, that's acceptable per they are intended to conduct electricity.
@@kraptastic333 Dielectric grease is a dielectric, you can't use it on spark plugs.
Well done. Good cheap car.
Is there any demand for PCB processing?
You can get the module and coil with spark plugs for 75 shipped on eBay .the boots with insert is 20 shipped..if your doing one you do them all...don't do stuff half azz it .
All the parts you bought should be used and installed together !! The 2.2. is a great little motor if maint. is keep up.. You can understand why they're in so many models. ALL ..The parts you bought can be purchased on for approximately $110. Chances are....theyre all manufactured at the same Factor regardless of what brand its sold under !!
Between the module and the coil pack there is a small connector that you may have missed when you tried to put the old module back on , that's why it didn't run it happened to me
Does it matter what part of that small adapter (by the pink rubber band) goes up and which one
down? The ends are a little bit different on that adapter (ACDelco 19300922 GM Original Equipment Ignition Control Module).
Joel, great detailed , troubleshooting video. I am working on a 2003 chevy cavalier 2.2 ecotec . P0300 code, switched out the Ignition control module first, no luck....Doing the the plugs and coil next, hope it works.....
It worked, car runs better then before. One of the plugs electrodes was almost gone.. Probably the coil added to this maybe ICU, not sure but it runs great more power then it ever had. I replaced plugs with ACDelco Professional Iridium Spark Plugs, Part # 41-105.
@g quin ignition coil
What troubleshooting?
Necessary or not replacing those will extend the life
What about clearing the computer? Take the neg cable off battery for 30 mins.
Warning: Autozone’s cheap parts are junk. Changed coil pack on 04 Alero 4 times in a few years. Lifetime warranty, so no additional cost, and quick easy swap, but the trouble and time of constantly changing sucks. Now using OReilly parts.
Also, I use dielectric grease on ALL electric connections.
What gap did you have them at
Since you love to be a parts replacer put in new battery, engine and Transmission and injectors, Also replace the fuel filter and a new radio. Buy some polish and shine up the car.
What is " trimering"?
I'm inn this exact senerio . I can't afford both and module and coil. I'm going for modue
Is this a 4 or 6 cylinder??
Tay Rose clearly it’s an 8 cylinder.
Lmao 4 obviously
Any type of power tools with Aluminum is Not a good idea (stripped threads) !! Congrats on the repair ! The car is a 2003 and as a general practice, being its probably over 100,000 miles,, Replace all the parts you purchased or...at least keep them on hand as its good maintenance and will more than likely need them soon anyway.
You didnt waste money everything you changed would have went bad anyway especially the ignition module its good you changed the coil and module together they are notorious for going out with these engines( ecotecs are somecof the worst engines built so if you keep this car be sure and stay on top of ALL the regular maintenance oil change etc. and they can be notorious for oil burn off so keep the oil and filter changed regularly also
Load the cannon!!!!
Yup this video is actually pointless. There is no troubleshooting. It's just replacing parts.
ALWAYS put dialectic grease if tou can
"troubleshooting"