Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
DTC P0300: Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected: General Description
The Misfire monitor diagnostic is based on crankshaft rotation velocity variation. The ECM determines crankshaft rotational velocity using the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor. When a cylinder misfires the crankshaft slows down momentarily. By monitoring the crankshaft and camshaft position sensor signals, the ECM can calculate when a misfire occurs. For a non-catalyst damaging misfire, the diagnostic will be required to report a misfire present within 1000-3200 engine revolutions. For catalyst damaging misfire, the diagnostic will respond to monitor 200 engine revolutions. Rough roads may cause false misfire detection. The rough road (acceleration) sensor consists of a piezoelectric vibration pick up which detects vertical acceleration of the vehicle. The sensor signal is used by the ECM to determine the degree of vertical movement of the car, for example, on a bumpy road. Since this may also cause uneven engine running, the ECM uses the signal to distinguish the phenomenon from actual misfiring.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.