{"id":10655,"date":"2021-05-03T19:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-05-04T02:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=10655"},"modified":"2026-07-17T00:20:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T07:20:41","slug":"p0302-code-cylinder-2-misfire-detected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/p0302-code-cylinder-2-misfire-detected\/","title":{"rendered":"P0302 Code: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected"},"content":{"rendered":"\nReading Time: <\/span> 7<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>\n

The P0302 code means your car’s computer detected a misfire on cylinder 2. The powertrain control module, known as the PCM, sets this code once cylinder 2 fails to fire a set number of times correctly. Left alone, a cylinder 2 misfire can hurt performance and damage your catalytic converter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Quick Answers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Meaning: The PCM caught cylinder 2 skipping its combustion event.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
What it affects: Engine power, fuel economy, and emissions control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
How serious it is: Moderate to serious, especially if the misfire happens often.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Most common causes: A worn spark plug, weak coil pack, bad fuel injector, or mechanical engine issue.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
What to do first: Check the spark plug and coil pack on cylinder 2.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
Can you keep driving: Short trips are usually fine, but a lasting misfire can damage your catalytic converter.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
What Does the P0302 Code Mean?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0302 stands for “Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected.” The code indicates that your car’s primary computer, also known as the powertrain control module (PCM), has detected a misfire on cylinder 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cylinder 2 refers to the cylinder labeled number 2 on your engine’s layout, not the second cylinder to fire. On a Ford V8, cylinders run 1 through 4 on the passenger side and 5 through 8 on the driver side. On a Chevy or Dodge V8, the numbering alternates between the two banks. A four cylinder inline engine numbers its cylinders 1 through 4, starting at the timing belt end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Firing order also depends on your specific engine. A 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan’s 2.4L engine fires in the order 1-3-4-2, while its 3.3L and 3.8L engines fire 1-2-3-4-5-6. Your firing order won’t change what P0302 means, but it helps you locate cylinder 2 correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PCM figures out which cylinder is misfiring by watching the crankshaft position sensor. It first learns a baseline pattern of crankshaft pulses while you’re coasting, since no cylinder is under load at that point. Chrysler calls this baseline the adaptive numerator, while GM and Ford call it crank relearn or case relearn. The PCM then compares live crankshaft pulses against that stored baseline to catch a cylinder that’s slowing the crankshaft down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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The point of the “Crankshaft Learn” snapshot is that the PCM needs to know when the engine is misfiring, i.e., which cylinder isn’t contributing, and it can tell by watching the crankshaft slow down every time a particular cylinder doesn’t fire. It determines that by comparing the stored pattern with the live one.<\/p>\n–Richard McCuistian, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician<\/a><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Because the camshaft turns at half crankshaft speed, the PCM also uses the camshaft position sensor to confirm which cylinder should be firing at that moment. It tracks misfires within a 200 rpm window and a wider 1000 rpm window. A misfire that repeats within the tighter 200 rpm window counts as the more serious case.<\/p>\n\n\n