P0302
Cylinder 2 Misfire Detected
Ignition / misfire
Generic OBD-II
High
What it means
P0302 means the engine control module has detected a misfire specifically on cylinder 2 — fuel isn't burning properly there, so the engine runs rough and loses power. The usual culprit is a worn plug or coil on that cylinder, but a fuel or compression problem can also cause it. Sustained misfires can damage the catalytic converter.
High
Can I keep driving? Not for long — a misfiring cylinder runs rough and can stall; if the check-engine light is flashing, drive as little as possible to avoid catalytic converter damage.
Common symptoms
What you'll notice
- Check-engine light on, often flashing during an active misfire
- Rough idle, shaking, or stumbling
- Reduced power and hesitation on acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
Common causes
Most likely first
- Worn or fouled spark plug on cylinder 2 (most common)Likely
- Failing ignition coil or plug boot on cylinder 2Common
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector on cylinder 2Common
- Vacuum leak affecting that cylinderLess often
- Low compression — valve, ring, or head-gasket wear on cylinder 2Less often
How to diagnose & fix
Work through it in order
- Read freeze-frame data, then swap the cylinder 2 coil and plug to a neighbouring cylinder and re-scan — if the misfire follows, you've found it.
- Replace the cylinder 2 spark plug and inspect the coil and boot first, as these are the most common causes.
- Test the cylinder 2 injector for correct resistance and spray; swap or clean if suspect.
- Check for vacuum leaks around that runner.
- If it persists, run a compression and leak-down test on cylinder 2 for a mechanical cause, then clear and re-test.
FAQ
Quick answers
Is it safe to drive with P0302?+
No — especially with a flashing light. An active misfire dumps raw fuel into the exhaust and can quickly overheat and destroy the catalytic converter.
Can I just clear P0302?+
You can, but it returns within a few drive cycles until the plug, coil, injector or compression problem on cylinder 2 is actually repaired.
Related codes
Often seen with P0302
Read & clear P0302 yourself
Scan your car, confirm the code, and clear it once it's fixed — with OBD DashX on your phone.
✓ Verified name — SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6Guidance reviewed by OBD DashX