Q: Can a misfire stop my car from starting.

asked by on January 31, 2017

I have a misfire and cylinder 1 & 4.

My car has 115783 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Engine is misfiring Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi There, Generally a misfire in one or two cylinders may not prevent the car from starting, however depending on how severe the misfire is, it may be possible. Engine misfires can be caused by many different problems and are generally caused by either a spark or fuel issue or in some cases, a combination of both. Spark related problems generally will result from things like ignition coils, crankshaft position sensor, spark plugs, spark plug wires or ignition modules not working properly. When the misfire results from a fuel related issue, this is commonly related to a lean fuel condition (lack of sufficient fuel supply to the motor). Fuel related misfires can be caused by many different things such as low fuel pressure, faulty or dirty fuel injectors, a faulty O2 sensor, a dirty or failing mass air-flow sensor, a faulty or dirty idle air control valve or a vacuum or intake leak. When the fuel supplied to the combustion chamber is insufficient, this results in an ignition (spark) that is igniting a less than balanced load of fuel and air. This results in a misfire or an explosion in the cylinder that is much less powerful than the other cylinders. This creates a loss of power that resonates throughout the motor additionally causing other problems with ignition and fuel timing. Due to the number of different things that may cause an engine misfire, the quickest and easiest way to diagnose this type of problem is to hook the vehicle up to a scanning tool which will download any potential fault codes that may have registered in the vehicle’s computer as a result of the poor running condition. I would recommend having an expert from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose your misfiring problem.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car overheating and not defrosting properly.
Hi, I have seen this issue quite often on the PT Cruiser. This is typically caused by a failure in the heater core that is located in the dash. This part carries hot coolant into the interior of the car...
How do I skip songs when playing off of a flash drive?
When you are using a flash drive to play music, you can skip songs by using the seek buttons on the audio controls.
Car runs rough
The typical cause for many vehicles to start running rough is an out of tune ignition system. spark plugs are wear items that need to be maintained. The spark plugs receive the ignition spark from the coil pack which is...
Check engine light
The engine running lean could be due to using the wrong air filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/parts/air-filter) and or the mass air sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/parts/air-mass-sensor) is defective. Check to see you are using the correct air filter and replace it if you are not...
Vibration in car body when in Drive
A few different items can cause the vehicle to have a vibration. The most likely would be a misfire, engine mount (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-engine-mount), or transmission mount. Most vibrations have a RPM range at which they are most noticeable. Increasing the idle...
My engine backfires like a lean carburetor
Hello. If your engine is backfiring (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/engine-is-backfiring-inspection) and you smell gasoline then it is likely that your vehicle is running rich. Backfires can be caused by both rich and lean conditions, however a fuel smell is usually associated with a...
Do I have to remove the radiator to replace my alternator?
Hello. My research indicates that there is more than one procedure for removing the alternator. Some procedures do require removing the radiator to access the alternator, however it appears that it can also be done without removing the radiator, if...
Acceleration trouble.
Hello, It sounds like the vehicle responds adversely to various loads being put on it such as sitting at the stop light and being put into gear. Both of these situations cause a load to be put on the motor...
Car Accelerates Slowly Unless I Push Aggressively on Gas
Hi there. The dealership is probably correct in this case. A dirty air filter can cause acceleration problems. However, it is also possible the fuel filter as well is dirty and will need to be changed as well. Typically it...

Related articles

A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Audi A7
In In true Audi fashion, the 2012 A7 delivers the exceptional performance, enjoyable handling and luxurious interior you’ve come to expect. However, they also combined those things with an innovative four-door coupe hatchback design that is anything but ordinary. Key...
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Live in a Windy Area
If If you live in a windy area, one of the most important things you’re going to be looking for in a used vehicle is the ability to remain stable on the road on even the most blustery days. That...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Arkansas in 2012
Arkansas, Arkansas, like many other states, has to deal with a wide range of weather, from the stifling to the icy. This means drivers need vehicles that can handle the heat while also helping them get through slippery conditions. In...