'04 XC Engine Misfiring-Further Updated (Moisture ruled out - possible defective coils, bad MAF) Topic is solved

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 08:37

'04 XC 184 K miles. Recent oil and filter change. Newish plugs (Volvo turbo plugs) and all five ignition coils (Bosch).

VIDA reveals following ECM codes:

ECM 3503 - Misfire, at least one cylinder, emission agitation

ECM 3543 - Misfire Cylinder 4, emission agitation

ECM 3553 - Misfire Cylinder 5, start up

ECM 130A - Air Leakage Intake

Car is parked outside in a slight nose up incline. We've had buckets of rain over the past few days. Symptoms came on overnight after running fine previous day. Running battery voltage at idle, no accessories 13.4.

Any ideas?

I'm thinking moisture in coil packs.

Will see if I can get a highway run in today to heat everything up and drive out moisture.

I was also think I could have picked up a load of bad gas. Have only been putting $20 gas in the tank at a time since usage has fallen off due to Covid and I don't want gas sitting in the tank for ages.

I am getting a "Reduced Engine Performance " message on the dash as well.

MAF on way out? Throttle body failing?

Rough running went away the second I cleared CEL. Did not return on subsequent restart. Recurred on second restart. and disappeared once code cleared.

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 07 Jun 2020, 08:58

For codes ECM 3503, 3543 and 3553, recheck coil pack installation and ground wire for cylinders 4 and 5. A solid ground is essential. Make sure there is no oil or rust.

Since you installed new coil packs, I've got to believe it's in the grounding or the 16 year old wiring loom at those two cylinders.

For ECM 130A, the turbo piping/hose you removed to get to the coils may not be completely tight.

Good luck.

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 09:03

Coil packs installed months ago, but I will double check grounds and looms. Thanks.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Jun 2020, 09:44

Nice hot run to get everything dry.

I have had turbo plugs require regapping after only 15k miles, so drill down on “ newish” a bit

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 10:06

Checked records and plugs were replaced on Veteran's Day 2019 (11/11) have approx. 5 k miles (less) on them.

Same with coil packs, less than 5 k miles. I have my plastic cam cover off, so my bet is moisture.

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 11:40

Ok, so I went to go for that heat-everything-up-burn-off-the-moisture run. So, no CEL, but "reduced engine performance" message. Stumbling idle. I can stand on the accelerator and at 2000 rpms I'm managing about 10-15 mph max. Is this limp mode? If so, I would be expecting a CEL. I can give it more throttle, but revs won't go much over 2200. Thoughts?

This is looking like more than moisture to me.

93SCMax · Post by **93SCMax** » 07 Jun 2020, 12:22

With the cam cover permanently off, and your comment on rain and the car being outside, moisture is now the likely candidate for the misfire codes.

I think your original comment about the MAF is correct. I believe, if you disconnect the MAF electrical connector, and it idles smoothly, you'll know if its the MAF. Mine did something similar a few years back...appearing to be in limp home mode. A junkyard replacement for $20 fixed it. Multiple MAF (Bosch) PN's will work.

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 12:25

But VIDA did not give me a MAF-specific code, or is "misfire" the most specific code I'll get for a MAF failure?

Post by **E Showell** » 07 Jun 2020, 13:47

Moisture is the verdict. Sat in direct sun on the driveway for about three hours and got heated up. Took MAF off started and idled fine. Plugged MAF back in, started and idled fine. Took for 20 min. drive. No reduced power. All fine. Thanks for playing along at home.

Post by **abscate** » 07 Jun 2020, 14:56

Now I have to find my cam cover and replace it.

I’ll also change thread title to misfiring; it’s a real tough part of NJ when you come out and find your engine missing