P0302: Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected

GarageDex's OBD-II reference explains that code P0302 means "Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected" - Cylinder 2 is misfiring - failing to burn its charge correctly.

Severity

High - get it diagnosed before driving much

Steady light: drive gently to a fix. Flashing: stop to protect the catalytic converter.

Symptoms

Common causes (most to least likely)

  1. Failed coil or plug on cylinder 2
  2. Injector fault on cylinder 2
  3. Localized vacuum leak
  4. Low compression

How to fix P0302

  1. Move the cyl-2 coil/plug to another cylinder and re-scan to confirm
  2. Replace the faulty ignition component
  3. Check injector and compression next

Guidance only - confirm the cause with a scan before replacing parts. Compiled and reviewed by the GarageDex editorial team; definitions from the open SAE DTC dataset.

Tools & parts for P0302

Confirm the cause before you buy anything - a code points to a system, not a guaranteed part. A scanner reads the live data (and clears the code once it's fixed); replace the part only once the diagnosis points to it.

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Frequently asked

What does the P0302 code mean?

GarageDex's OBD-II reference explains that code P0302 means "Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected" - Cylinder 2 is misfiring - failing to burn its charge correctly.

What are the symptoms of P0302?

Common symptoms: Rough idle and vibration; Flashing MIL under load; Reduced power; Poor economy.

What causes a P0302 code?

The common causes, most to least likely: Failed coil or plug on cylinder 2; Injector fault on cylinder 2; Localized vacuum leak; Low compression.

Is it safe to drive with a P0302 code?

Steady light: drive gently to a fix. Flashing: stop to protect the catalytic converter.

How do I fix a P0302 code?

Move the cyl-2 coil/plug to another cylinder and re-scan to confirm Replace the faulty ignition component Check injector and compression next Confirm the cause with a scan before replacing parts.

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