The crankshaft position (CKP) sensor and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor are used in order to detect an engine misfire. The VCM monitors the speed of the crankshaft. The VCM detects a deceleration of the crankshaft that is not associated with a normal engine speed reduction. In order to determine if a misfire occurred, the VCM compares the deceleration information to the engine speed and the engine load. If a misfire event is determined, the VCM compares the crankshaft position to the cam sensor signal in order to determine which cylinder misfired. The VCM stores the information in separate accumulators for each cylinder. Upon completion (or failure) of the test, the VCM evaluates the number of misfires in each accumulator. If the accumulators are somewhat even or if 3 or more cylinders are misfiring, then this determines that a random misfire has occurred. The VCM also utilizes the input from the ABS wheel speed sensor in order to determine if a rough road condition exists which could cause a crankshaft acceleration and deceleration. If a rough road condition exists, the diagnostic will not run. This DTC is a type B DTC.

If the VCM determines that the engine misfire is significant enough to have a negative impact on emissions, the VCM turns ON the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after the misfire has been detected on 2 non-consecutive trips under the same operating conditions. If the misfire is severe enough that catalytic converter damage could result, the MIL flashes while the misfire is present.

The VCM turns OFF the MIL after 3 consecutive driving trips without a fault condition present. A history DTC will clear if no fault conditions have been detected for 40 warm-up cycles (the coolant temperature has risen 22°C (40°F) from the start-up coolant temperature and the engine coolant temperature exceeds 71°C (160°F) during that same ignition cycle) or the scan tool clearing feature has been used.

The Misfire Index counts the number of misfires. The scan tool can monitor the Misfire Index. There is a current and history misfire counter for each cylinder. Use the current misfire counter in order to determine which cylinder is misfiring.

Many different condition could cause an intermittent misfire.

Check for the following conditions:

1. Check the spark plug wires and the coil wire for the following conditions:

•	Ensure that the spark plug wires are securely attached to the spark plugs and the distributor cap.

•	Check the wire routing in order to ensure that crossfiring is not occurring.

•	If the misfire occurs when the weather is damp, the problem could be due to worn plug wires.

•	In order to test for this condition, spray the wires with water and with the engine running, watch for spark to jump from the wires. If a spark is visible, replace the wires.

2. Check for contaminated and a low fuel level and the following conditions:

•	Check the fuel condition and quality. Dirty or contaminated fuel could cause a misfire condition.

•	If the fuel level is low, contaminants in the bottom of the fuel tank could enter into the fuel metering system.

The numbers below refer to the step numbers in the diagnostic table.

2. If DTCs P0337 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit - Low Frequency) or P0338 (Crankshaft Position Sensor Circuit -High Frequency) are set, this could result in a misfire condition.

4. In order to duplicate the conditions under which the misfire occurred, it may be necessary to drive the vehicle and monitor the scan tool DTC Present This Ignition Cycle variable.

5. When checking the spark at the spark plug wires, the spark should be consistent. A few sparks then nothing is no spark.

7. At this point the ignition system is OK and the problem may exist in the fuel system. Perform the Fuel System Pressure Test in order to determine the cause of the problem. This test determines if the poppet nozzles are functioning properly.

8. At this point, both the ignition system and the fuel system are OK. The problem is caused by a mechanical problem in the engine.