2003 Taurus 3.0L OHV Buck/Misfire
 

Hello,

I have a 2003 Ford Taurus with the 3.0L OHV Vulcan engine. Recently it started to feel like it was slipping. However, I have determined that this is not the transmission as the short loss of power does not seem to appear at any specific point through the gears. But, rather when accelerating under load. It appears to be at its worst when accelerating in 4th gear at 1500-1800 RPM going about 40MPH (60KM/H). after about a day of replicating the issue in an attempt to pinpoint the issue, the CEL came on and gave the codes P0300-C, P10000, P0300 and B1352. I noticed this issue the day after getting gas. So I have drained the tank, changed the fuel filter and refueled with the 94% octane stuff hoping for the best. it runs a little better but the issue is still there. I will try the PCV valve today and check the Vacuum hoses (if I can find them). I have noticed that when the engine is cold - if I put the car in drive and sit with the brake on the engine shudders. But, the car seems to accelerate better. Once the engine is warm it idles fine in gear with the brake applied. But, I can barley accelerate. The other day getting on the highway I heard what sounded like a metal clunk from under the hood while trying to accelerate in the 40-60 MPH range. Any insight is appreciated:). Below Is the OBDII diagnostic information :

(OK) [15:22:56.018] Connection to adapter has been established on COM3
(OK) [15:22:56.020] Adapter: ELM327 v1.5
(OK) [15:22:56.389] Connection to vehicle has been established
(OK) [15:23:03.411] Vehicle: Ford Taurus 2V 3.0L 2003 MY
(OK) [15:23:04.893] Found module: OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II
(WARN) [15:23:05.877] DTCs in OBDII: P0300-C
(OK) [15:23:05.916] Found module: PCM - Powertrain Control Module
(WARN) [15:23:06.277] DTCs in PCM: P1000, P0300
(OK) [15:23:06.990] Found module: RCM - Restraint Control Module
(OK) [15:23:09.248] Found module: GEM - Generic Electronic Module
(WARN) [15:23:09.739] DTCs in GEM: B1352
(OK) [15:23:10.522] Found module: ABS - Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module
(OK) [15:29:38.389] Disconnected

Not the PCV valve
 

So I replaced PCV valve and cleared the MIL. Even though the old one passed the shake test, I had the part so might as well. Ran the car up to 60KM/h (40MPH) and same thing felt like a big chug followed by a bunch of little ones. I now have new error codes pointing to a misfire in cylinder 3. I guess it will be spark plugs and wires before ignition coil. ODBII output from forscan is below. Any ideas appreciated.

(OK) [15:22:33.178] Connection to adapter has been established on COM3
(OK) [15:22:33.179] Adapter: ELM327 v1.5
(ERR) [15:22:34.990] Unable to connect to vehicle. Please make
sure the ignition key is ON and try again
(OK) [15:22:56.018] Connection to adapter has been established on COM3
(OK) [15:22:56.020] Adapter: ELM327 v1.5
(OK) [15:22:56.389] Connection to vehicle has been established
(OK) [15:23:03.411] Vehicle: Ford Taurus 2V 3.0L 2003 MY
(OK) [15:23:04.893] Found module: OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II
(WARN) [15:23:05.877] DTCs in OBDII: P0300-C
(OK) [15:23:05.916] Found module: PCM - Powertrain Control Module
(WARN) [15:23:06.277] DTCs in PCM: P1000, P0300
(OK) [15:23:06.990] Found module: RCM - Restraint Control Module
(OK) [15:23:09.248] Found module: GEM - Generic Electronic Module
(WARN) [15:23:09.739] DTCs in GEM: B1352
(OK) [15:23:10.522] Found module: ABS - Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module
(OK) [15:29:38.389] Disconnected
(WARN) [18:50:42.513] Checking Bluetooth (28:18:78:5D:61:8A)...
(ERR) [18:51:12.855] has been cancelled by operator
(WARN) [18:51:23.138] Checking COM1...
(WARN) [18:51:24.196] Checking COM6...
(OK) [18:51:24.527] Connection to adapter has been established on COM6
(OK) [18:51:24.527] Adapter: ELM327 v1.5
(OK) [18:51:24.924] Connection to vehicle has been established
(OK) [18:51:32.671] Vehicle: Ford Taurus 2V 3.0L 2003 MY
(OK) [18:51:35.097] Found module: OBDII - On Board Diagnostic II
(WARN) [18:51:36.069] DTCs in OBDII: P0303-C, P0316-C
(OK) [18:51:36.764] Found module: PCM - Powertrain Control Module
(WARN) [18:51:48.610] DTCs in PCM: P0303, P0316
(OK) [18:51:49.327] Found module: RCM - Restraint Control Module
(OK) [18:51:53.551] Found module: GEM - Generic Electronic Module
(WARN) [18:52:01.755] DTCs in GEM: B1352
(OK) [18:52:02.560] Found module: ABS - Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module

===OBDII DTC P0303-C===
Code: P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected.

Status:
- Confirmed - malfunction is confirmed

Module: On Board Diagnostic II

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected.

Ignition System

Fuel System

This DTC may be caused by :

Blocked kinked or crushed fuel lines

Fuel contaminated

Evaporative emission control system malfunction

EGR system fault.

Base engine fault

Check for any other codes that may cause a misfire.

===END OBDII DTC P0303-C===

===OBDII DTC P0316-C===
Code: P0316 - Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 revolutions).

Status:
- Confirmed - malfunction is confirmed

Module: On Board Diagnostic II

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 revolutions).

This DTC may be caused by :

Ignition System

Fuel System

Low Fuel Warning

Blocked kinked or crushed fuel lines

Fuel contaminated

Evaporative emission control system malfunction

EGR system fault.

Base engine fault

Check for any other codes that may cause a misfire.

===END OBDII DTC P0316-C===

===PCM DTC P0303===
Code: P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected.

Module: Powertrain Control Module

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected.

Ignition System

Fuel System

This DTC may be caused by :

Blocked kinked or crushed fuel lines

Fuel contaminated

Evaporative emission control system malfunction

EGR system fault.

Base engine fault

Check for any other codes that may cause a misfire.

===END PCM DTC P0303===

===PCM DTC P0316===
Code: P0316 - Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 revolutions).

Module: Powertrain Control Module

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Misfire Detected on Startup (First 1000 revolutions).

This DTC may be caused by :

Ignition System

Fuel System

Low Fuel Warning

Blocked kinked or crushed fuel lines

Fuel contaminated

Evaporative emission control system malfunction

EGR system fault.

Base engine fault

Check for any other codes that may cause a misfire.

===END PCM DTC P0316===

===RCM DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Restraint Control Module

===END RCM DTC None===

===GEM DTC B1352===
Code: B1352 - Ignition key in circuit fault

Module: Generic Electronic Module

Diagnostic Trouble Code details

Ignition key in circuit fault

--- Possible Causes --------
This DTC can be generated by:

-Open Key-In Ignition Switch circuit
- Battery short Key-In Ignition Switch circuit
- Battery short Ignition Switch RUN/ACCY circuit
- Suspect Ignition Switch
- Suspect Lighting Control Module.

===END GEM DTC B1352===

===ABS DTC None===
Successful DTC reading, no error codes found

Module: Anti-Lock Brake / Traction Control Module

===END ABS DTC None===