P0302 Code: Meaning, Causes, Symptoms, and Fixes

A misfire occurs when there’s poor combustion of the air-fuel mixture in a specific cylinder. The combustion process involves igniting a compressed air/fuel mix in the engine cylinder, creating a controlled explosion. These explosions are timed just right for the vehicle to work well. When things go wrong, it’s called a misfire. When the engine control module (ECM) of your vehicle detects misfiring, it triggers specific codes related to that particular cylinder. Learn the P0302 code meaning and symptoms.

There are codes that help diagnose misfires, like P0300 to P0012. Within this range, each code, such as P0301 to P0312, corresponds to a misfire in a specific cylinder. For instance, P0301 signifies a misfire in cylinder 1, while P0311 points to a misfire in cylinder 11. This article describes the P0302 code meaning, causes, symptoms, and how to fix it.

P0302 Code Definition

P0302 Code – Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected.

Cylinder number 2 does not correspond to the second cylinder in the firing order but rather to the cylinder designated as “2” based on the engine’s arrangement of cylinders.

What Does the P0302 Code Mean?

The P0302 code indicates that your engine control module (ECM) monitors misfire events in cylinder 2.

A vehicle propels itself by burning fuel and generating power within compartments called cylinders. Maximum engines are configured with 4, 6, or 8 cylinders, where an increased cylinder count often translates to higher power output.

The power produced due to the combustion of the fuel is used to turn the crankshaft. As each cylinder makes this power, the crankshaft keeps turning, which helps your car to accelerate smoothly.

In the presence of a misfire, the speed of the crankshaft temporarily drops during the moment when the specific cylinder should ignite. The PCM/ECM of your car consistently monitors the crankshaft RPM and detects any reduction in RPM that coincides with a misfire event.

Even if these misfires occur sporadically, if they accumulate within a defined RPM range (200 or 1000 RPM), the ECM triggers an error code. Specifically, a P0302 code is logged when the ECM identifies repeated misfire events in cylinder number 2.

Causes of the P0302 Code

The P0302 code is caused due to one or more of the following reasons:

An issue with the spark plugs, spark plug connectors, or spark plug wires
Damage to the valve cover gasket
Faulty or impaired ignition coil located at cylinder 2
A faulty distributor cap
The presence of a vacuum leak
Insufficient fuel pressure
Malfunctioning fuel injector for cylinder 2
Defect in the crankshaft position sensor for cylinder 2
Misaligned engine timing
Reduced engine compression
Dirty or low-quality fuel
Leakage from the head gasket
An issue with the EGR valve
Burned or sticking valve within the engine
Bad MAF sensor
Worn or damaged piston rings
Malfunctioning O2 sensor
Defective throttle position sensor
An impaired catalytic converter
Damaged distributor rotor button
Clogged throttle body
A malfunctioning ECM

Symptoms of P0302 Code

Illuminated check engine light
ECM triggers the limp mode
Sharking when driving
Engine stalling
Hard starting conditions
Poor fuel efficiency
Excessive fuel smell from the exhaust
Rough idle
Engine misfiring
Poor car acceleration
Poor engine power

How to diagnose the P0302 Code?

Follow the below-given steps to diagnose the P0302 code:

Scan the trouble codes stored in the ECM memory by using an OBD-II scanner. Ensure the presence of the P0302 code before moving forward.
Log all stored codes and capture available freeze data. Clear the codes and conduct a test drive. If the P0302 code reappears, proceed to inspect other components.
Examine the vacuum system for leaks.
Examine the spark plug wiring for cylinder 2, looking for signs of damage or corrosion.
Properly examine the cylinder two ignition coils.
Visually examine the integrity of the engine ground wires to ensure they are securely connected.
Evaluate the condition of the spark plugs located at cylinder 2. A faulty spark plug is a prominent reason for misfires. Replace the spark plug if it’s found to be defective.
Examine the coil pack wires for any signs of damage.
Examine the fuel injectors and associated wires for cylinder 2.
If necessary, change the spark plug wiring, coil packs, or coil pack wiring.
If your car is equipped with a rotor button and distributor cap, thoroughly inspect them for a fault.
Conduct a compression test on cylinder 2 to check if there’s any internal engine issue affecting compression.
Examine the exhaust system for a blockage that may affect the flow of gases.
Test the MAP sensor, O2 sensor, camshaft position sensor, MAF sensor, and crankshaft position sensor to check their performance.
Check the ECM system of your car and ensure its software is up to date.
After completing the aforementioned checks and repairs, clear the trouble codes by using the scanner and perform a test drive.

P0302 Code Diagnostic Mistakes

Not addressing other error codes
Ignoring basic checks and directly jumping to complex diagnostics
Not performing a compression test
Overlooking the fuel system
Replacing unnecessary parts
Overlooking vacuum leaks
Installing new parts without testing them
Not clearing codes after fixing the issues

What repairs can fix the P0302 code?

To fix the P0302 trouble code, you need to replace or repair one or more of the parts:

Diagnosing and rectifying any relevant trouble codes stored by the ECM
Replacing malfunctioning or impaired spark plugs
Repairing damaged coil pack wires
Repairing damaged spark plug wires
Replacing clogged EGR valves
Rectifying vacuum leaks
Adding quality fuel
Replacing burnt valves
Addressing or replacing leaking head gaskets
Installing a new crankshaft sensor if it’s faulty
Installing a new camshaft sensor if it’s faulty
Replacing a faulty O2 sensor
Replacing a malfunctioning mass air flow sensor
Replacing a defective throttle position sensor
Replacing the bad fuel injectors
Rectifying issues with malfunctioning internal engine parts
Replacing a defective catalytic converter
Adding more fuel if needed
In the case of cylinder damage, replacing the entire engine
In exceptional instances, considering replacement or reprogramming of the ECM

How serious is the P0302 Code?

The severity of the engine code P0302 is notable, with symptoms that can potentially jeopardize the safe driving of your car. Instances such as sudden halting or stalling of the vehicle may arise.

Moreover, neglecting the P0302 code could lead to harm to other engine parts. Given these circumstances, the P0302 code demands swift and immediate resolution.

How to Prevent the P0302 Code?

Follow the following control measures to prevent the P0302 code from triggering:

Ensure proper maintenance of your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s instructions
Always use good quality fuel
Whenever your vehicle’s computer triggers the check engine light, fix it as soon as possible
Always ensure a sufficient level of fuel before driving
Ensure the proper cleaning of the air filters and replace them on time
Ensure regular inspection and cleaning of the intake manifold, throttle body, and other parts related to air and fuel delivery.
Periodically clean the fuel injectors
Ensure regular oil changes and use the oil type recommended by the vehicle’s manufacturer
Avoid aggressive driving

P0302 Code Repair Cost

To repair or fix the P0302 code, it is compulsory to replace or repair the main issue. The repair cost of the P0302 code is given below according to the replacement of the relevant faulty part:

Part	Cost
Fuel pressure sensor replacement	$180 to $420
Fuel pump replacement	$1200 to $1800
Spark plug replacement	$60 to $270
Ignition coil replacement	$220 to $660
Fuel injector replacement	$1400 to $2000
Vacuum leak repair	$80 to $220
Spark plug wires repair	$160 to $260
Valve cover gasket replacement	$80 to $360

FAQ Section

What is the P0302 Code Toyota?

When the P0302 code on your Toyota car’s dashboard is triggered, it indicates that your engine cylinder 2 is misfiring.

What causes cylinder 2 to misfire?

A misfire commonly results from a faulty spark plug or other spark system issues. Additionally, it might stem from fuel delivery problems or technical irregularities within the engine or exhaust gas recycling.

How much does it cost to fix P0302 code?

The P0302 code can emerge due to various factors, ranging from bad fuel injectors to vacuum leaks and compromised engine compression. Providing an accurate estimate without proper diagnosis isn’t feasible. When seeking professional diagnosis at an auto shop, they often initiate with an hour of diagnostic labor. Typically, this falls within the range of $70 to $160, contingent on the shop’s labor rate.

Is a cylinder 2 misfire serious?

Neglecting a cylinder misfire may result in significant harm to your engine. Moreover, a severe misfire during driving may potentially lead to accidents. This underscores the importance of promptly addressing engine misfires once they are identified.

Can I drive my car with a P0302 code?

If your check engine light is illuminated because of the P0302 code, it’s crucial to immediately cease driving. Operating a vehicle with a misfiring cylinder is fraught with danger. Driving with a misfire code for a long time may lead to rough idling. Moreover, it could escalate to catalytic converter or ignition system failure, incurring substantial repair costs.

Can low oil cause cylinder 2 misfire?

Yes, a low engine oil may cause misfiring issues. When the engine oil pressure becomes low, your engine starts misfiring. This situation may arise due to a faulty oil filter obstructing proper oil flow, consequently leading to poor valve timing and leading to a misfire.

Will changing spark plugs fix a misfire?

Misfires can be attributed to dirty spark plugs, as the presence of partially burned engine oil may hinder the spark plug from generating the required sparks to burn the fuel within the combustion chamber. Furthermore, aged spark plugs can fracture, resulting in the inability to generate sparks.

How long does it take a misfire to damage the catalytic converter?

When too much fuel goes into the catalytic converter, it can get really hot and break down quickly. If the misfires are really bad, this happens fast. But if they’re not so bad, it might take a year or two before problems show up. Once things are broken, fixing them costs a lot.

Can a blown head gasket cause a cylinder 2 misfire?

Yes, a blown head gasket is a major cause of a cylinder 2 misfire.

Written By

Engineer Rahela

Rahela is the owner and main author of Mechanicalspecial. She is an automotive expert writer. She have over four years of experience in the automotive writing niche and have completed over 700 pieces of content from 40 projects. She have good knowledge and skill in vehicle repairing, all mechanical work, car upgrades and maintenance.