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2006 Buick LaCrosse misfire - Replaced coil pack, new plugs, new wires, 2x junkyard ICM. Still no luck

Motor Vehicle Maintenance & Repair Asked by a person on March 30, 2021

I have a 2006 Buick LaCrosse 3.8L that is misfiring. There is a strong smell of gas when running.

I have had this issue before and it was solved by replacing the ignition control module. I also replaced the plugs, wires, and coil pack while I was at it.

This time, replacing the ICM twice had no effect. I also replaced the coil pack a second time. Still nothing. I have an inline spark tester and it lit up on every cylinder when put between the coil tower and plug wire.

I have a bluetooth ODB reader, a multimeter, and the aforementioned spark tester. I am getting code P0300.

Tests I have run:

  • Spark test with inline tester, all OK.
  • Spark test by looking for sparking at the coil towers, all OK.
  • Removed plug heat shields. No change.
  • Unplugged MAF. No change in engine running, maybe that’s it? I didn’t run it very long with the MAF unplugged though.
  • Checked battery. OK.

Tests to run:

  • Cylinder by cylinder injector check.
  • Compression test
  • Fuel rail valve test.
  • Smoke test
  • Check brake booster.
  • Check PCV valve.
  • Check vacuum line. I did see one going from the top of the engine to the intake and I didn’t see anything obviously wrong with it.

I would also like to add that before this happened, I had issues with the car RPM fluctuating under heavy load. You could hear the RPM fluctuating and the car lurching.

I would also ask that you take a look at the spark plugs I got just in case they’re the wrong ones.

One Answer

The strong smell of gas suggests leaking, stuck, or very dirty fuel injectors. I see there is a Fuel Rail Pressure Relief Valve on your vehicle that may be worth checking. Replace the fuel filter if it is very old.

When you connected the spark tester, did the light flash perfectly evenly? Watch the flashes for a full two minutes to be sure. Remove spark plugs wherever they are accessible and check for dirty condition.

Air leaks in the induction system is another possibility. Look for cracked or disconnected vacuum hoses under the hood. Check especially the condition of the PCV valve and it's hose. Check the brake booster. Perform a smoke test for other leaks, such as the EGR valve and its regulator, and the throttle body.

Check the condition of the battery. Its voltage should read about 12.8 V when the car is off. If it reads 12.6 or below, replace the battery. When the cars on, voltage should read between 13.7 - 14.7 v.

Answered by Carguy on March 30, 2021

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