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Severe Engine Misfire on Paired Cylinders (1 and 4 or 2 and 3)

Subject:Severe Engine Misfire on Paired Cylinders (1 and 4 or 2 and 3), DTCs P0300 - P0304 2.2L 4 cyl (L61) Revised Repair Procedure (Replace Ignition Cassette, Install New Spark Plug, Reprogram PCM if Needed)

Models:2002 and 2003 Saturn L-Series with 2.2L 4 Cylinder Engine (VIN F - RPO L61) - Built Up To and Including VIN Breakpoint 3Y541043



Condition

Some customers may comment on severe engine misfire.

Cause

Internal ignition module failures may be influenced by interaction between spark plug characteristics and PCM software.

Correction

Once condition has been verified as an ignition module failure, install revised part number spark plugs, check and/or replace PCM calibration and replace ignition cassette.

Service Procedure

  1. Diagnose misfire condition using latest available Service Manual information. If condition is diagnosed as a failed ignition cassette, continue with this procedure, otherwise continue with Service Manual diagnostic procedure.
  2. Replace spark plugs with the spark plug part number described in this bulletin.
  3. Important: All four spark plugs should be the same part number.

  4. Replace ignition cassette assembly.
  5. Using a portable scan tool, check the current PCM calibration ID. Refer to the calibration table in this bulletin. If the current calibration is listed in this table, reprogram PCM with the calibration available starting November 2002, on the Saturn Service Stall CD version TIS 11/2002 or later.

2002

-

Trans:

A/T

A/T

M/T

M/T

Emission:

Federal

California

Federal

California

Old Calibration:

12218983

12218993

12218963

12218973

12217943

12217953

12217923

12217933

2003

-

Trans:

A/T

A/T

M/T

M/T

Emission:

50 States

-

50 States

-

Old Calibration:

12579044

-

12579043

-

Parts Information

Part Number

Description

Qty

12569190

SPARK PLUG ASM

4

12569276

Ignition Cassette Assembly

1

Warranty Information

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for J4345 (Coil, Electronic Ignition Module - Replace). "Add times" are provided for Spark Plug replacement and PCM reprogramming. If another procedure is performed, refer to the appropriate Electronic Labor Time Guide for the correct Labor Operation Code and Time.