Hi All,

I have a 2005 Dodge Dakota 3.7L 4WD. I'm getting intermittent misfires on cylinder 3 (I think just cylinder 3). Usually occurs at least once when driving, and more so shortly after startup. Sometimes it triggers the check engine light, other times it doesn't. Idle seems a bit rough, but not scary rough. Stumbles some on acceleration intermittently. It also appears to happen a bit more when the engine is cold or if it is pretty cold outside (20F or below)...although this might be recency bias as it's been pretty cold the past month or two lol.

I'd normally just replace the plugs and coils, but I already replaced all 6 plugs and coils about six months ago. I was getting an intermittent miss then as well, but replacing them did seem to resolve it for awhile. My current plan is to get a brand new coil and plug for cylinder 3 and pop those in and hope if fixes it. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

Thanks much for any input!

 

First off, get the exact code so you know if it's a cylinder specific misfire or a random misfire. If it's a specific cylinder, swap the plug and coil to another cylinder and see if it follows or stays. If it follows, then you know it's either the plug or the coil. If it stays, then you know it's a cylinder issue an you will need to perform more testing such as compression checks, etc.

 

I don't remember the code off the top of my head, but when I was able to pull it, it was specific to cylinder 3. Dumb question, which cylinder is cylinder 3? Last time I replaced them I just did them all together. Would be a good idea to swap one of the known working coils/plugs to the cylinder 3 location as you suggest.

Edit: Code was P0303-CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE

 

 

Hello,

My truck was doing same things...Id hit the gas and its stutter...or rough idle. I had NGk plugs and changed them to Autolite 3923 and gapped at .040and truck runs great.

 

Thanks everyone. Not to bring up a dead thread, but figured i'd bring this to conclusion. My misfire got worse last week (was misfiring multiple times until full warm up). I finally got to changing the number 3 plug and coil today. Number 3 plug was on the driver side middle (photo made me think on the passenger side but I could be misreading it). Anyway, I drove it a couple times and it appears to have stopped my misfire. The ignition coil boot was a bit roughed up around the rubber gasket for some reason. I'm thinking the coil was the culprit (relatively cheap online coils).

Cbea1124, I appreciate the mention on the Autolite end of things. I think i'll give those a go when my current plugs need changed again. I have the NGK plugs right now and it idles rougher than I would like (even with the misfire figured out). I'm tempted to maybe try some platinum plugs at some point. I'll have to check the forum to see what other folks have had good luck with.

Thanks again!

 

the misfire could have clogged up the catalytic converter. it did when i had a misfire in mine, ironically it was the same coil go bad.

I did a treatment with the aerosol seafoam and after it was done the dakota felt better then when i got it. Some like the liquid and using a vacuum line, but i prefer the aerosol one, especially since getting the intake tube off of the throttle body is so much easier then slowly feeding a vacuum tube.

 

This is exactly what was happening to my 01 Dakota..the misfire code ..yes ngk plugs too.mine was #4
I also changed all plugs[that one on #4 had deposits on it]s,wires,distributor cap an rotor,then used the spray sea foam in the throttle, the liquid in the oil and the liquid in the tank.
So far no more codes an it runs smoother.
That idle is quieter too.I checked injectors also.

I wonder too if the ngk plugs factor it..?

When you put ngk side by side to the champion copper plug the reach is different or length is a tad shorter inside head, also less ceramic on that end.

I may compare it to autolite ..

 

I'm having the same issues with my 05 Dakota. I'm sure there won't be any answer in this old thread. But figured it was worth a shot! The other ppl prolly drive there's off a high cliff by now and watched it burn... Lol
prolly what to I should go ahead and just do with mine Lol

 

best to start a new thread with your symptoms and what you've tried so far so you can get solutions for your own situation.