sjg1138

So, I was driving on what passes for a paved road here in San Francisco and my '99 cab started suddenly running really poorly. A lack of power and a rough idle. Within half a mile, the Check Engine light came on. I limped home another 1.5 miles and connected up my trusty ELM OBDII reader. Low and behold a P1314 code appeared. This was the only error code thrown. I've looked around on the sites and it seems that it is most likely related to a bad connection or problem with the Cylinder 2 spark plug. The plugs themselves were replaced about 8k miles ago so I figure they are good.

Any ideas on how to diagnosis this? Could the horrible streets of SF possibly have shaken the connection between the plug and the coil so much that it is not getting spark? Maybe the plug itself is loose? Something else?

TIA

Ahsai

How old is the coil? I would definitely check the coil and it's connection/wire first.

sjg1138

I'm not sure how old the coil is. The repair records from the prior owner are spotty. It is possible that the coil is the original one.

Ahsai

You can swap the coil with #3 cylinder coil (easy to get to) and see if the code follows the coil.

Ahsai

If you have time, it's also good to remove the number 2 spark plug and check its condition.

fpb111

Nasty bumpy road, plugs replaced recently, maybe the coil connector clip wasn't engaged all of the way and it finally slipped off?

sjg1138

Hope you are right fpb111. I will get under there and check it out this weekend. Thanks for the ideas. May just go ahead and order an ignition coil. Just in case. I just found this thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...n-warning.html

Sounds like the connector coming off is not that unlikely.

fpb111

When I change plugs\coils I peel\push the rubber cover back so that I can see the connector bail snap onto the coil latch.

onewhippedpuppy

I strongly recommend this approach. That way you actually diagnose the issue, as opposed to swapping parts and hoping for the best. I'm betting coil or loose connection, but better to be sure.

sjg1138

The suddenness of the failure makes me think it may be a problem with the connector.

If I take off the rear bumper, should I be able to get access to Ignition Coil 2 without jacking up the car?

Imo000

Don't start ordering parts until you know exactly what the problem is.

Ahsai

No need to remove the bumper. Just jack up the left rear, remove the left rear wheel, and place a jack stand there. Remove the heat shield that covers the coils. #2 and #3 are the two closest to the front so they are relatively easy to remove.

Ahsai

Or you don't have a jack?

sjg1138

I have access to a jack & stands but its a pain to get to it logistically (i am in the City and the jack is in the Burbs). My heat heat shields in the rear are vibrating so I was thinking I might take off the bumper and do the two jobs at once.

Ahsai

Got it.