So I recently purchased a 2011 Malibu, it has the 2.4l Ecotec. It runs and drives fine (well as good as it can, being this is how I got it) however there is a steady check engine light that flashes every hundred miles or so, and I can feel a slight very almost unnoticable shake at idle, and when light is scanned it only comes back as a cylinder 2 misfire. I've already went through and replaced the plug and coil for the second cylinder from the far left with no change in engine light, or how it drives, check engine light stayed for cylinder 2 misfire. I've read some info here and there about the plug/injector wiring as well as a fault map sensor. My question to you more knowledgeable folk is what would be the next step in the troubleshooting process for a cylinder 2 misfire
Yeah138
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You said the second cylinder from the far left. Which is "left" - driver side or passenger side?
A simple thing worth checking is the battery itself, to see if it is weak.
Sorry I should have been more clear, from the front of the car looking at it, like after popping the hood, cylinders 1234 from left to right, number 2 got a new coil pack and plug. Still have yet to get around to cleaning out the Maf
Just as a note to help you (and others) with the confusing world of "left" and "right" on cars:
The Left and Right of the actual car are always determined as if sitting in the vehicle looking forward. It's the same way as your left and right hands, which don't change just because someone is looking at your face. Your right is on their left.
An engine is a little different. The front is the end that isn't connected to the transmission. In most FWD cars, it is placed sideways, called "transverse". To determine an engine's Left and Right, you would imagine standing behind it (behind the transmission) and looking toward the front of it, then determine which is Left and Right. So, in your car, the side of the engine that is toward the front of the car is its Left side.
#1 cylinder is always toward the front of the engine, so on your 4-cylinder, you have correctly indicated that the second one from the passenger's side is the #2 cylinder. You did that by seeing that the front was on the right side of the car, but on the left when looking at it from in front of the car.
OK, that's today's lesson. You may return to your regular programming.
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Using driver or passenger side instead of left or right is more accurate for everyone.
My 2 cents... unless your car is right hand drive then all bets are off..
My 2 cents... unless your car is right hand drive then all bets are off..
I guess I should have been a little more clear when specifying that, I will keep that noted. I appreciate the clarification, sadly I have not gotten around to doing further maintenance, however I believe this may be an issue related to that injector wiring harness. In fear of making the wrong assumption and spending 100+ on a harness I may or may not need or WORSE making something else wrong, I think I may just take it into the shop or dealer
So after some rough endeavors over the past 11 months I have dealt with the dreaded Reduced Eng Power message and have since replaced the throttle body, tps, and recently re-did all of the coils and spark plugs and have still been dealing with the same cylinder 2 misfire. I have confirmed with the last shop it was in that this cylinder did have compression during a wet test, but still no change to the cylinder misfire. I'm now able to get back to where I can figure this out once and for all, with all of the prior things tried with no change, would my next step be to look into the fuel injector for this cylinder, or wiring harness entirely?
For the sake of any who follow the thread but don't recall what vehicle you're driving, it would be helpful if you'd add the info about your 2011 2.4L to your avatar. That way, it'll be on every post from now on. Thanks!
Yes-I learned this from Colt Hero-go to icon/avatar click on account settings then account details-vehicle details-then hit save
I guess I will be throwing a new injector and wiring harness at it. I'm almost positive this harness work for my 2011 as well, but if anyone has any other opinions, I am all ears. I am here for any help whatsoever
The problem seems to be intermittent to where it only happens much at idle, once accelerating it seems to smooth out, but it is noticeably rough when coming to a stop, almost as it there is something coming loose during the forward momentum during stop, and somewhat present at idle, but makes a full connection during accelerating.
The problem seems to be intermittent to where it only happens much at idle, once accelerating it seems to smooth out, but it is noticeably rough when coming to a stop, almost as it there is something coming loose during the forward momentum during stop, and somewhat present at idle, but makes a full connection during accelerating.
2008 - 2010 CHEVROLET MALIBU 2.4L FUEL INJECTOR CONNECTOR WIRING HARNESS OEM | eBay
2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LS. IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION REMOVED FROM A 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU LSSEDAN 4-DR 2.4L L4 DOHC 16V 4-Speed Automatic. THE PICTURE IS THE ACTUAL PART. THIS IS A USED PART.
www.ebay.com
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Check the engine grounds. When engine rocks it may be losing its ground. Clean all the harness and PCM connections with an electronic cleaner / lubricant like DeOxit also. When engine moves when accelerating it may be losing a connection.
Look for bent pins in the connectors also and try tightening up the #2 connections.
Look for bent pins in the connectors also and try tightening up the #2 connections.
So after checking/cleaning the MAF and installing the new fuel injector wiring harness it would seem to ride a good bit smoother, even so at idle. However the misfire is still present in the #2 cylinder. I'm going to be looking into getting that fuel injector tested and possibly replaced. I believe I may be at the end of the line here, if this does not fix the misfire I don't know where else to lean towards
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