Thread: stumped: engine running on 3 cylinders

Yesterday, out of the blue, my car started chugging, low on power, sounded like a subaru boxer, so i knew it was down a cylinder. Started checking the obvious spark, fuel, and compression. First i pulled the plug wires one at a time, no change. Then i unplugged the injectors one at a time and #4 was no change(it ran the same, but when i pulled 1-3 it was worse i.e. down 2 cylinders), so i checked the resistance of the injectors and 1-3 were .01 and #4 was .11. So i replaced the #4 injector with a known working spare injector and it didnt fix it. The compression is 155psi, and i even pulled the cap/rotor and cleaned/scuffed the contact points even though its getting spark. The fuel pressure is right on 43psi vac on.

Any ideas??? Im stumped and i need things to try. Any help would be awesome
Thanks

Do ya have an extra plug wire or did you check the plug itself?

check this out:
http://www.barneymc.com/toy_root/techneek/mtr_test.htm

my ecu came loose once and it made 1 injector not recieve the signal.

are all 4 injectors clips on firmly and the injector wires are in making full contact with the injectors?

Are you getting a injector pulse on # 4 ? You can try this with a noid light or one of those small "194" bulbs that are in your side markers .Did you confirm sprak with a plug in the end of the wire or screw driver . Also you have good compresion but what about leak down check (if you have a tester ) that would be the last resort . I would try the fuel pulse first and then check what benito said too. good luck

I checked spark with a tester that is a plug with an alligator type clip on it to ground it. i will check ecu connector and the injector for power, but i remember the plug was wet when i pulled it, so i assume its getting fuel. I really hope i can sort this out today, i work 2 jobs and i need to get to both of them tomorrow. Thanks for the ideas, i will give an update later

how do i test my injector with a 194 bulb, because i dont have a timing light or inductive pickup? I confirmed spark with a plug with a clip on it. I know its getting spark, i think its getting fuel but need to test this somehow, I know its got compression. what the hell is it? Oh, i also checked my ecu plug and its tighter now. I have to drive my car to work tomorrow, so i just unplugged the #4 injector so im not just dumping fuel in the cylinder. Man this shit is getting old, i need another car for a DD

Trust me with more than one car you will have more projects to add to your list, I have 3 cars and my list its growing daily,

my g/f mitsubishi gallant is running on 3 cylinders, I can't figure it out either, that car has 276,xxx miles on it and uses a quart of oil in 500 miles, time for a rebuild or new engine

Take the bulb and bend the tabs then insert them into the harness side and crank the motor to see if it "pulses or blinks " if so you have a injector pulse Its a cheap way of testing pulse without buying a noid kit .