A misfire occurs when the combustion process in an internal combustion engine fails to occur in one or more cylinders. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors. Misfires can cause a number of problems, including reduced engine power, increased fuel consumption, and rough idling. In severe cases, misfires can even damage the engine.
Checking for misfires is a relatively simple process that can be performed using a variety of tools. The most common method is to use a scan tool to read the engine’s diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). DTCs are codes that are stored in the engine’s computer when a problem is detected. If a misfire is detected, the scan tool will display a DTC that indicates the cylinder in which the misfire occurred.