spcrxracer

iTrader: (1)

Alright. It's the end of the semester and I'm driving home from University of North Dakota. It's cold. I'm getting on the freeway (normal speed, not gunning it) and about 15 minutes into my 5 hour drive, the CEL comes on. The car started shaking REAL bad. It still drove, and starts just fine. It's just very shaky around 50+ mph.

I am now stopped at a gas station, and it's about 5 above. I tripped the CEL and it's giving codes 71-74. Checked the 96 Accord service manual, didn't see the code. ANY HELP IS MUCH APPRECIATED!!!


UPDATE:

I just found out what the codes are. "Cylinder # Misfire or a Random Misfire:
a condition is present that is creating a cylinder misfire". Great. Misfire on cylinders 1-4. ANy recommendations? Maybe try reseting the ECU??


Modified by spcrxracer at 7:24 PM 12/12/2007

m735is

Random misfire on number 1 and number 4 cylinder. Check your plug wires???

spcrxracer

iTrader: (1)

It threw codes 71,, 72, 73, 74.

I checked the plug wires to make sure they were plugged in. They were. I did not check to see if the wires themselves were good. I don't really have very many tools. I have a somewhat decent socket set, but I am in a semi "middle of nowhere" town.

UPDATE (again):
Here's what I found http://www.aa1car.com/random-misfire/

A random misfire code can be set on newer vehicles with OBD II onboard diagnostics when multiple misfires occur randomly in multiple cylinders. The cause is typically a vacuum leak in the intake manifold, throttle body or vacuum plumbing, a defective Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) valve that is leaking exhasut into the intake manifold, or even bad gasoline. Less common causes include bad spark plug wires, worn or fouled spark plugs, a weak ignition coil, dirty fuel injectors, low fuel pressure, or weak valve springs. If a misfire is occuring in only one or two cylinders, you will usually find a misfire code for that specific cylinder rather than a random misfire code.

I'm going to quickly go check all that I am able to.


Modified by spcrxracer at 7:41 PM 12/12/2007

spcrxracer

iTrader: (1)

whipped out the flash light and popped the hood, Wasn't able to find any vacuum leaks. I'm going try reseting the ECU.

m735is

The bad gas part may be a clue. Did you fill up just before this started to happen? If it's that cold out, maybe get some Heet additive to get any water out of the gas.

m735is

Did you make it home yet??

spcrxracer

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, i made it home fine. I drove 20 more minutes to Fargo Honda Dealer, but they were closed when I got there. So I just drove the rest of the way home. It was misfiring the whole way .

WHen I got home, I reset the ECU, went and filled up the tank with some new gas. It hasn't misfired since and has been running perfectly normal logging the usual amount of MPG. I have no clue what caused the misfiring.