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need help tracking down bad cop

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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 01:37 PM
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need help tracking down bad cop

Hey guys. Drove up to TN from FL last night. Truck ran great until I stopped in Chattanooga. After I started it back up I could tell it was missing slightly. Accelerated back onto the interstate and it was missing somewhat- mostly below 2500 rpm. If I dropped it down a lower gear it would clear up. I was trying to make it miss enough to set off a CEL but it wouldn't do it. Started it up today and now it runs fine again. I'd like to try and track down which cylinder it is before I drive back to FL. Any other way to track down which cylinder it is? I brought some tools and spare COP's with me lol. Have my scanner also- shows no pending or current codes. Cylinder 3 COP went bad a few weeks ago. Replaced it and was running perfect until last night. Thanks for the help.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 02:21 PM
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Does your scanner read live data as the engine is running? If so it should give you a misfire count per cylinder. The higher the count, the more likely that cylinder is the problematic one.
 
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Old Dec 28, 2013 | 08:00 PM
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Scanner does read live data but its not missing anymore. Drove around all day today in the rain and it's running fine.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2013 | 01:52 PM
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Then keep the scanner with you and when it starts misfiring you'll be ready for it.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2013 | 07:15 PM
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Lol yep that's the plan
 
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Old Dec 30, 2013 | 04:02 PM
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Just some info. I was recently told by two good mechanics COPS do not go bad . The plug wire or boots go bad and cause the misfires or engine miss. I have not tried it yet but I will the next time there is an issue.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2013 | 06:05 PM
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Your two mechanics are wrong. The boots and plugs can do it, but it's often more than that. There are no plug wires.
 
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Old Dec 30, 2013 | 09:48 PM
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Originally Posted by mayor
Just some info. I was recently told by two good mechanics COPS do not go bad
Yes and no. Many times a misfire can be due to a dried out cracked boot. In those cases a new boot (about $3) will fix the misfire. Then there are times that COPs actually do go bad. It's a part like any other part. It might not have moving parts in it, but it does have insulated wires that can break, or the insulation itself can break down and cause an internal short inside the COP. Like anything, proper diagnosis and test is usually the way to get off cheap without buying unnecessary parts.

For example: Just recently I fixed my alternator for $13.99 while a rebuilt goes for $250. I took it apart and found the brushes were almost gone. I ended up buying a regulator with the brushes already attached on eBay. I installed them this past weekend and all is well.
 
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Old Dec 31, 2013 | 10:26 AM
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I replaced the plugs about 5000 miles ago. Also replaced 3 of the boots that looked like they weren't in the best shape. All others looked great. Still no misfires again lol. Maybe it was just getting used to the cold weather . Probably the coldest it's ever seen. Was 23* this morning and supposed to be down in the teens the next few days.
 
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 02:15 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverSS
Probably the coldest it's ever seen. Was 23* this morning and supposed to be down in the teens the next few days.
In Florida? That's got to be killing you guys down there!
 
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by alloro
In Florida? That's got to be killing you guys down there!
No no! I'm in Tennessee right now. Kind of looking forward to going back to the warm! Supposed to get some snow tomorrow though. First time the kids will have ever seen snow
 
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 05:52 PM
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Originally Posted by SilverSS
First time the kids will have ever seen snow
Careful, if they like it you might have to move north!
 
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Old Jan 1, 2014 | 09:55 PM
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Understood, Just commenting on what I was told.
 
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Old Jan 5, 2014 | 11:51 AM
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Drove back to FL last night. 70 and sunny today . Haven't had a miss again. I guess I'll just wait and see if/when it does it again.
 
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