SAE Standard Definition

P0300

Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

The engine is misfiring in more than one cylinder randomly.

Serious Issue- Do not drive this vehicle
Serious
Do not drive intermediate Fix within 3 days
Estimated Cost (USD)$30 - $1,200
BudgetMajor
Estimated Labor~2 hours

The crankshaft position sensor detects variations in crankshaft speed that indicate misfires. P0300 means multiple cylinders are misfiring, not just one. This points to a cause that affects all cylinders such as fuel delivery, intake leak, or ignition timing issue rather than a single-cylinder problem.

Symptoms

Check Engine Light flashing
Rough idle
Loss of power
Vibration
Poor acceleration
Possible catalytic converter damage

Common Causes

Worn spark plugs

HIGH

Plugs past their service life cause weak spark across all cylinders.

Vacuum leak

HIGH

Large leak causes lean misfires across multiple cylinders.

Low fuel pressure

MEDIUM

All injectors receive insufficient fuel.

Ignition coil pack failure

MEDIUM

On waste-spark systems, one coil fires two cylinders.

Step-by-Step Diagnosis

1

Check misfire counters

medium

Use scanner mode $06 to see which cylinders are misfiring most.

Tools:OBD-II scanner
2

Inspect spark plugs

medium

Remove and inspect all spark plugs for wear, fouling, or incorrect gap.

Tools:Spark plug socketGap tool
3

Check ignition coils

medium

Test resistance of each coil. Swap coils between cylinders to see if misfire moves.

Tools:Multimeter
4

Check fuel pressure

hard

Low fuel pressure will cause lean misfires on all cylinders.

Tools:Fuel pressure gauge

Frequently Asked Questions

Disclaimer

The information on this page is provided for general educational and reference purposes only. ErrorCodes is not a substitute for professional automotive diagnosis or repair. Diagnostic trouble codes indicate areas for further investigation and do not definitively identify the failed component. The same code can have different causes depending on your specific vehicle, its history, and conditions. Always consult a qualified, certified mechanic before performing repairs. ErrorCodes assumes no liability for any repairs made based on information found on this site.