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Old 06-18-2013, 08:44 AM
DeepRiverDog DeepRiverDog is offline
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Default Rough Idle, Flashing CEL - Testing Coils and Wires

I have a 1999 3.0L V6 XLT...this topic has been discussed a bit, but I have a few specific questions that I haven't seen...
While driving I got the flashing CEL and a rough idle and loss of horsepower, which I believe means a misfire. I got towed home and swapped out the spark plugs (Autolite Platinum 103, .054 gap) and cleaned the spark plugs wires (which seem to be in decent shape, although I will be changing them today).
The idle improved slightly, and the CEL is gone, but the idle is still very rough, and significant loss in horsepower when applying the throttle. I have good spark at the coil for the rear 4 cylinders, but very little spark at the front two.
Two main questions:
When checking for spark by removing each plug wire at the coil- should cylinders 1 and 4 (the front most plugs) show significantly less spark due to the "flex fuel" feature? Does it idle on 4 cylinders?

If I am getting good spark between the cylinders and the coil- does this indicate that the ignition coil is functioning properly?

I recently swapped out a badly rusted filler neck, that triggered an EVAP leak. Things were fine with no code for 2 weeks afterwards, but perhaps the engine is not compensating for the change back to proper EVAP pressure? I plan to clean the IAC sensor today as well. Would a fuel filter change also be advised? Thanks in advance, this forum is awesome.
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Old 06-18-2013, 04:18 PM
dfpgnm dfpgnm is offline
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Default Re: Rough Idle, Flashing CEL - Testing Coils and Wires

I wasn't aware the 99 3.0 had a "flex fuel" option. Mine sure as shit doesn't have it. If it was my truck and I had two cylinders with bad spark I would be changing the coil immediately. Especially if the CEL had flashed at me. It only flashes to indicate a SERIOUS problem that will cook the cats.
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Old 06-18-2013, 07:25 PM
Neophyte Neophyte is offline
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Default Re: Rough Idle, Flashing CEL - Testing Coils and Wires

Quote:
Originally Posted by DeepRiverDog View Post
... Would a fuel filter change also be advised? Thanks in advance, this forum is awesome.
Fuel filter getting dirty over time, as opposed to filling the tank with bad gas, will start by reducing power under load -not at idle.

Opps. I see you changed a rusty filler neck, you may need to change your fuel filter. It's easy to do and cheap.
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Last edited by Neophyte; 06-18-2013 at 07:28 PM.
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coil, evap, filler neck, idle, spark plug

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