Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Car's running like crap!

I had a cel read and it said that cylinders 1 and 3 were misfiring and to change my plug wire or spark plugs or coil pack. I changed the plug wire yesterday and on it run worst then it did before. It will backfire and sometimes die when ever I hit the gas. Any one know what it could be? I also have very bad fuel mileage, I have driven only 90 miles and I have used have a tank of gas.

Double check to make sure you have not crossed any wires. If it is running worse then before and the only thing you did was the wires, I would have to put my money there.

As for the plugs, how long has it been since they were replaced last? If you just bought the car or not sure, then go out and get a set of Autolite APP764's to go along with those new wires.

Other then that, I would be leading you on a wild goose chase since I do not know what engine you have or what your car is.

Here is what the manual has to say, as for possible cause's, of your P0301 & 303 CEL...

Possible causes:

-- Ignition system.

-- Fuel injectors.

-- Fuel pressure.

-- Evaporative Emission System.

-- EVAP canister purge valve.

-- Base engine.

-- Running out of fuel.

Definitely sounds like the wires are crossed.


Did you "just" change the wires?

How old are the plugs? What plugs are they?

If you got some sh!tty wires from autozone you better take them back! Get the accel wires or another performance set... and if you got the coil from autozone take it back too, even though it is new it can and will crack causing your car to fire from the coil. My coil is not even 2 months old (from autozone) and it is cracked in that sealer on top where the female plugs stick out, makes car seem horid!.... check it out - JOE