Cuts Out/Misses

DEFINITION: Pulsation or jerking that is consistent with engine speed, usually more pronounced as engine load increases. The exhaust may have a steady spitting sound at idle or low speed. May only occur with TCC applied (auto trans) but this does not indicate a TCC problem.


^ Perform "DIAGNOSTIC CIRCUIT CHECK."
^ Perform "SYSTEM PERFORMANCE CHECK." Visually (Physically) check:

^ Vacuum hoses for splits, kinks or improper connections, as shown on Vehicle Emission Control Information label.
^ Ignition wires for cracking, hardness, or improper connections at both distributor cap and spark plugs.
^ Wiring for proper connections, pinches and cuts.
^ Check for misfiring at spark plugs:
^ Disconnect and plug air cleaner and EGR vacuum hoses.
^ Check spark at all plug wires. If there is no spark on any cylinder, see CHART C-4.
^ Spark at all cylinders - Visually check distributor cap inside and out for moisture, dust, cracks, burns or arcing to coil mounting screws. With engine running, spray cap and plug wires with fine water mist to check for arcing at wires or insulator boots.
^ Check for poor ground on integral ignition coil.
^ Remove spark plugs and check for cracks, wear, improper gap, burned electrodes and heavy deposits.
^ Check pickup coil in distributor with ohmmeter, and check for proper connections at module. Pickup coil resistance should be 500-1500 ohms and not grounded.
^ If pickup coil checks OK, check for ignition dwell increase from low to high rpm by connecting dwell meter to distributor "TACH" terminal. If dwell does not increase as engine rpm increases, replace ECM.
^ Do compression test, if compression deviates more than 10% from highest to lowest, check for bent pushrods, worn rocker arms, broken valve springs, worn camshaft lobes, burned valves, blown head gasket, or bad piston(s) or rings.
^ Check for exhaust system restriction. See CHART B-1.