2G 2G Inconsistent Misfire on Startup

[Snystedt]

Hi,
I have a problem where my car (Euro 1997 GS 4g63) starts on what I assume to be 2 cylinders, runs for a few seconds, and then cuts off with the CEL being lit. This happens inconsistently, about 1 out of 10 times when I start the car. The other 9 times it starts just fine.

Previously when it has been troublesome at home I've solved the problem by simply charging the battery. When it happens outside of home I've hooked up the battery to another vehicle with jumper cables, which has been fairly successful after a few cranks. However, the most recent time it started misbehaving outside of my home, my trick didn't work.

After hours of cranking and cussing, it started after swapping the battery to another one with jumper cables connected to another car. At the beginning of every crank when the misfiring disappears, it starts out running on 2 cylinders and eventually runs on all 4 after giving it some revs.

Could it be a coil pack having voltage issues?

Edit:
I checked the spark plugs after it happened again and the two in the middle were completely soaked, both leading to the far right coil pack. Have you got any clues as to why the coil pack randomly dies?

 

[pauleyman]

Did you check any connection? What have you physically checked on the coil, transistor and ECU?

 

[Snystedt]

I've opened up the ECU and there's no signs of faults and shortages. I recently visually inspected the coils and power transistor which also looked fine apart from some rust on the actual coils on the ignition coil packs, which I'll be replacing. I guess the next step is to check connection between BR-R: ECU(23) - Power Transistor(2) and 25L-B: Power transistor(1) - Ignition coil(1).

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[steve]

I wonder what the Fault code looks like?

 

[Snystedt]

The code never stores. The CEL disappears as soon as the ignition is turned off and on again.

 

[steve]

You can't read it while the CEL is on?

 

[dwb]

If you're losing the CEL code then you are losing power to the ECU. Just because the light goes off, does not mean the code goes away. It should remain stored in the ECU until cleared with scan tool or 12v power disconnected.

Since the issue seems to come and go as you mess with the battery terminals, I'd start with cleaning and inspecting everything on or around the battery posts, including your grounds.

 

[Snystedt]

Unfortunately I can't read codes since my obd-reader won't connect to the ECU. But I don't think the code has to do with the dead coil pack because the CEL comes on right when the engine shuts itself off - probably the knock sensor detecting the rough idle.