Jerky ride and misfires

[GSGoinFast]

ok i have a 99 eclipse non turbo. a couple of days ago i noticed that the car jeked a little bit in 2nd and 3rd gear, but it wasnt that bad, and didnt seem like a big deal. well this morning it was jerking pretty bad and started misfiring horribly. It would missfire 3 or 4 times everytime i shifted into 2nd and 3rd gear, but 3rd was the worst. it only occasionally misfires in 1st. It is also idleing horribly too. i opened the hood and the engine was shakeing while it was idleing. Ive noticed that the engine mostly misfires while im lugging it and once i get around 3,000 rpm's or higher it runs pretty smooth. the only mod i have is i took off the stock airbox and put a cone filter in it. Ive been told it could be plugs and wires, or it could be the timing belt, but i have no clue what to do and im afraid it will break down if i drive it. I'd apreciate any advice or knowledge of the problem. Thanks!

 

[DSMfirewall]

It is most likely your plugs, wires, or coil pack. The best way to check it is to go down to a parts store and buy and actual spark tester, it looks like a spark plug with an allagator clip on it. Pulling a plug out and cranking it to check for spark will do nothing because the plug is under no load, the tester will simulate a load and give an actual test. If you get no spark with that, it's either the wires or your coil pack. (hopefully wires).

If you get no spark, you will need a high impedence ohm meter to check it, i will give you the specs and how to test if it turns out to be that.

Make sure you get a spark tester that simulates a load, that is the most important part of it. It will look like a spark plug with a ceramic cone in the middle.

 

[GSGoinFast]

Alright ill give that a try tomarrow. Thanks for your help ill get back to you on what happens.

 

[GSGoinFast]

My dad took it down to his work and his mechanic worked on it and the #1 cylinder's wire was shorting out. He replaced the plugs and wires with NGK's and everything runs smooth now. Thanks for your help!

 

[DSMfirewall]

Sweet man, I'm glad that it was something simple.