I'm stumped! I have a 1997 Honda Civic 4 cylinder and I drove it to work yesterday with no problems. I get out of work and go to start it and it starts right up but I noticed that it was vibrating more from the engine. My engine light came on and started flashing. The car still ran and I only live less than a mile from work so I drove it home. At times the engine light stopped flashing but stayed lit then it would go back to flashing. When I checked the codes I got P0303. The wires are pretty new(I just got the car) but the dist. cap looks pretty old. When I pulled the two middle plugs one looked like it was burning good but the other did not. Where is cylinder 3? Any ideas on what I should do? It still runs and starts right up but it does have a "shudder" to it. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

If you don't know where "cylinder 3" is, you have no business trying to fix it yourself. Take it to a mechanic!

 

from the crankshaft pulley (drivers side) cylinder 3 is third from the right looking at the engine from the front of your car
cylinder 1 is always closest to the front of the crankshaft on an inline 4 cyl.
if you dont know alot about engines, push the wire down to make sure its seated on the spark plug, if so make sure its not come loose on the distributor cap. if its still missing take it to a reputable shop and let them diagnose your car, trust me after 30 years of fixing cars youll be happier to have it done professionally.
as for the prior post by Bobertsr, disregard the comment.
bobertsr, why are you here if youre not supplying help?
6 posts and youre a wiseguy already?
guy wants to fix his car and you cant provide any positive feedback?
bet your really sharp in a garage

 

Are civics motors facing different than Accords?
Crank pulleys on the Accord are on the Drivers Side

 

edited, i glossed over his civic ownership.
and no, Accords have the crank pulley on passenger side, civic engines on drivers side

 

Kyle - are you from the UK?

Here is a picture of my Accord

The crank pulley is def on the DS of the car

 

how did you fit a Civic engine in an Accord?
p.s. your master cylinder is low on fluid
on a serious note, Honda swapped left to right constantly back in the "we now have Acura days"
Acura engines turned counterclockwise versus a Hondas clockwise. many Acura mills found their ways into Accords
you have a hermaphrodite, its a civic engine dude, LX?

 

I do work on alot of the things on my cars. I just wanted to make sure I do it right because i'm not too familiar with Honda's. I went and bought a new cap,rotor and plugs. After I installed them my engine was still sounding rough and the engine light was still flashing. So for the "heck of it" I tapped the injecter on the #3 cylinder and it reved up a little and evened right out. The engine light stopped flashing and stayed on steady. I then cleared the code and it (the engine light) didn't come on again. So can I assume that the fuel filter needs to be replaced? Also if I run a cleaner through my car what is the best kind to use? Again thanks for all your help!

 

Check the wire connector on the injector to be sure it is locked on.

If you just got the car and don't have any records of what has been replaced when, than I would assume all tune up type things are due (cap, rotor, plugs, wires, filters, ect)...I see you've already done a few of these.

Fuel treatment, kind of a debate on which one. I add Seafoam to my gas tank every now and then.