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For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Prizm 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Cuts Out, Misses

Cuts Out, Misses Symptom

Checks

Action

DEFINITION: A steady pulsation or jerking that follows engine speed, usually more pronounced as the engine load increases. The exhaust has a steady spitting sound at idle, low speed or on hard acceleration.

Preliminary Checks
    • Refer to Symptoms - Engine Controls .

Sensor Checks
    • Check the engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor using a scan tool to compare the engine coolant temperature with the ambient air temperature on a cold engine. If the coolant temperature reading is more than 5°C (9°F) more or less than the ambient air temperature on a cold engine, check for a high resistance in the coolant sensor circuit or in the sensor. Refer to Temperature Versus Resistance .
    • Inspect the mass air flow (MAF) sensor operation. Run the engine to normal operating temperature. Turn OFF all accessories and observe the MAF sensor at idle with a scan tool. If the MAF sensor reading is more than 3.5 g/s refer to DTC P0101 .

Fuel System Checks
    • Check for a restricted fuel filter or an incorrect fuel pressure. Refer to Fuel System Diagnosis .
    • Check the fuel injectors. Perform the Fuel Injector Coil Test procedure and the Fuel Injector Balance Test procedure. Refer to Fuel Injector Solenoid Coil Test - Engine Coolant Temperature Between 10-35 Degrees C (50-95 Degrees F) and to Fuel Injector Balance Test with Special Tool .
    • Check for water contamination of the fuel.

Ignition System Checks
    • Check for an ignition system misfire:

        Important: Do not perform this test for more than 2 minutes in order to prevent damage to the catalytic converter.

        1. Start the engine.
        2. Remove one ignition coil at a time using insulated pliers.
        3. If there is an RPM drop on all cylinders (equal to within 50 RPM), refer to Rough, Unstable, or Incorrect Idle and Stalling .
        4. Check for spark on the suspected cylinders with a J 26792 Spark Tester or equivalent if there is no RPM drop on one or more cylinders.
        5. If there is no spark, refer to Engine Cranks but Does Not Run .
        6. If there is spark, inspect the spark plugs for correct operation and good ignition system performance. Refer to Spark Plug Inspection .
    • Check the ignition system for moisture, dust, cracks, burns, etc.

Engine Mechanical Checks
    • Check for any of the following engine mechanical problems:
       - Any faulty hydraulic lifter assemblies
       - Any broken or weak valve springs
       - An incorrect valve timing
       - An incorrect or worn camshaft
    • Check the intake and exhaust manifold passages for casting flash.
    • Refer to the Diagnostic Starting Point - Engine Mechanical in Engine Mechanical.

Additional Checks
    • An engine miss condition can be caused by electromagnetic interference (EMI) on the reference circuit. EMI can usually be detected by monitoring the engine RPM with a scan tool. A sudden increase in RPM with little change in the actual engine RPM change indicates EMI is present. If a problem exists, check the routing of the secondary ignition wires and the high voltage components.
    • Verify the powertrain control module (PCM) grounds are clean, tight, and in the proper locations. Refer to Engine Controls Schematics .