P0302 — Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
High severityWhat it means
The engine control unit has counted repeated misfires in cylinder 2. As with any single-cylinder misfire, the cause is usually a component dedicated to that cylinder — its spark plug, ignition coil or fuel injector.
Common symptoms
- Rough idle and engine shaking
- Hesitation or stumble under load
- Flashing or steady check engine light
- Reduced fuel economy
Likely causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 2
- Failing ignition coil on cylinder 2
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector
- Low compression in cylinder 2
- Damaged wiring or connector at the coil
What to check first
- Swap the cylinder 2 coil with a neighbouring cylinder and see if the code moves
- Inspect and replace the spark plug if needed
- Check the injector connector and operation
- Run a compression test if the misfire persists
Can you keep driving?
Misfires can overheat the catalytic converter. Limit driving until repaired, and stop if the check engine light starts flashing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most common cause of P0302?
The most likely cause is: Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 2. Several other faults can set P0302 as well, so confirm the real cause with live data and the checks above before replacing any parts.
Can I just clear P0302 and keep driving?
Clearing P0302 with an OBD2 scanner turns the warning light off, but if the underlying fault has not been repaired the code will usually come back within a few drive cycles. Fix the cause first, then clear the code to confirm the repair worked.
How serious is P0302?
P0302 is a high-severity code. Diagnose and repair it as soon as possible, because continuing to drive can cause further damage or leave you stranded.
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