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Vibration and check engine light is on

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Everardo97, Apr 13, 2017.

  1. Apr 13, 2017 at 8:39 AM
    #1
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    Hello, I'm new here and I'm having a problem with my 97 Tacoma v6 4wd 92k miles. Yesterday I was out driving and began to feel a vibration while driving and while in park. Then I noticed the engine light was on so I took it to my local autozone and ran a diagnostic test and got back the code P0302. I don't really know much about cars/trucks so I began researching and found that it could either be spark plug, plug wires, coil, or the fuel injector. It's my first vehicle and just got this truck about a month and a half ago and so far have done a valve cover gasket replacement. When I got that done the mechanic said it also had a small exhaust leak and wanted to know if that could be causing the new issues since I know nothing. Is there anyway to narrow down what the issue is? Any help will be appreciated. And I don't know if this has anything to do with it but sometimes the truck takes a bit to start, it's happened twice where it didn't but did start on the second try.
     
  2. Apr 13, 2017 at 11:15 AM
    #2
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    sounds like a coil pack#2 is going out or gone out.
     
  3. Apr 13, 2017 at 12:55 PM
    #3
    Roadeater

    Roadeater Well-Known Member

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    Your truck with 92k may be due for a tune up.
    Your mechanic should be able to find the problem.
    If u want try yourself, maybe you should try removing spark plugs and checking them(post pics here if you want).
    If money isn't the problem change the plugs and wires(from napa or ngk online).
    Run a good fuel injectors cleaner , change fuel filter and see what happens.

    Maybe someone here will help you with better ideas
     
    Tacofart likes this.
  4. Apr 13, 2017 at 3:12 PM
    #4
    FirstTimeFirstGen

    FirstTimeFirstGen Less active than most

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    Not enough to have a build thread.
    This is the best idea to start with. You may still have a coil starting to fail or that has failed but that'll typically cause a pretty heavy vibration (youd only be running on 4/6 cylinders), a large lack of power, and more than one code (typically a p0300 would be one code present). If you have the means and moneys tight, swap your #2 spark plug with another hole and see if the misfire travels to another cylinder. While its out, swap your coil to a different cylinder than you put the suspected spark plug in. If the code moves to a different hole, you know whether it's the plug or coil and can repair from there. If it stays at #2, you know it's an injector or base engine issue

    let us know what you find and if you have any more questions!
     
  5. Apr 26, 2017 at 11:07 AM
    #5
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    FirstTimeFirstGen likes this.
  6. Apr 26, 2017 at 12:35 PM
    #6
    toyrunner

    toyrunner Puddle Jumper

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    Denso. Rock auto has them at a great price. Are you near L.A? I have a few that we could check to see if that is the problem before you spend money.
     
    TRDSport10 likes this.
  7. Apr 27, 2017 at 8:09 AM
    #7
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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  8. Apr 28, 2017 at 2:20 PM
    #8
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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  9. Apr 28, 2017 at 3:06 PM
    #9
    cruiserguy

    cruiserguy Well-Known Member

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    If you wanna be sure before buying the part, swap the first and second coil packs and see if the MIL code changes and follows to whichever cylinders you swapped with.
     
  10. Apr 29, 2017 at 11:46 PM
    #10
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    Ok so I swapped the coils today, and tomorrow I'm going to check the codes. I also want to get a good tool set for my truck and wanted to know if I need metric or sae or both? I don't want to buy tools I don't need.
     
  11. Apr 29, 2017 at 11:52 PM
    #11
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Metric tools for sure.

    Think about getting a code reader. You can do your own diagnosis in your own driveway.

    If you have an Android phone, the Torque app is very useful. You just need to buy the blue tooth adapter. Its around $20 on Amazon.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Apr 30, 2017 at 12:40 AM
    #12
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    Thanks, I'm going tool shopping later mainly for a ratchet set and a screw driver with changeable points. Any brands I should look for? I'm looking for a durable brand, want them to last.
     
  13. Apr 30, 2017 at 1:16 AM
    #13
    Speedytech7

    Speedytech7 Toyota Cult Ombudsman

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    For a good basic kit Craftsman is always a solid choice, warranty is still solid for hand tools. Also if you have a Costco membership they sell a toolkit with three ratchets, lots of sockets, some box wrenches, nut drivers, and a screwdriver set for like $99. While it isn't Snap-On or Matco quality it is more than enough for a home DIY guy.
     
  14. Apr 30, 2017 at 8:56 PM
    #14
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    Ok, so I got the codes and it still says cylinder 2 is misfiring. So it's not the spark plugs, wires, or the coils. What is there left to fix this? I know fuel injector can be the cause, anything else?
     
  15. May 4, 2017 at 7:04 PM
    #15
    Everardo97

    Everardo97 [OP] Active Member

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    Anyone got anymore ideas? Any help is appreciated..... would like to do anything possible before taking it to a mechanic because it's so expensive.
     
  16. May 4, 2017 at 7:08 PM
    #16
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Probably best to do a a compression test. This can tell you if you have a bad valve.
     
  17. May 5, 2017 at 8:10 AM
    #17
    Xbeaus

    Xbeaus Well-Known Member

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    Have you double checked your plugs after replacement? Might try that as well. See what they look like. I had the same issues and turned out to be a bad oem plug. Had 2 bad coil packs to.
     
  18. May 6, 2017 at 10:29 AM
    #18
    wilcam47

    wilcam47 Keep on keeping on!

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    clogged injector?
     

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