I've found a few old threads on other forums searching around the web and they all seem to point to the same thing.
First, some background though. I've owned the Focus in my sig since July of last year. It's been relatively problem free for that amount of time. A couple weeks ago I finally cleaned the MAF sensor (former K&N install) and netted a whopping .7 MPG on the first tank through. Besides this and a valve cover gasket, plugs and wires I haven't touched the engine.
Starting Tuesday, I noticed that starting out in 1st gear, anything more than about 25% throttle will result in bucking. The engine free-revs fine, if you downshift to pass someone, it generally revs out pretty ok. It's just that any any attempt to put any load on or even lug the engine and it bucks and stumbles like crazy. Searching around the web I've found a lot of threads that point to the coil pack and/or wire plug going into it. Something about it being a symptom that only shows itself under load, which this is.
I've only gotten as far as a visual inspection and it seems like the wires coming into the plug are under quite a bit of strain, like they're pulled tight. I'm scared at this point to try to pull the plug out for fear of totally destroying it.
I also did some diagnosis with my OBDII Bluetooth adapter and the Torque app. I ruled out the TPS by slowly working the gas pedal and noting that the throttle % increased evenly on the app. Finally got a DTC for misfire on the way home from work today. I also ran a misfire counter and logged 89 misfires on the 15 mile drive home from work this morning.
Are there any tests or any more diagnoses I can do before I decide the the coil and/or wiring to it is bad?
ps - I'm pretty disturbed to see that the pigtail for the coil is $30+ whereas a Motorcraft coil is only $25!
First, some background though. I've owned the Focus in my sig since July of last year. It's been relatively problem free for that amount of time. A couple weeks ago I finally cleaned the MAF sensor (former K&N install) and netted a whopping .7 MPG on the first tank through. Besides this and a valve cover gasket, plugs and wires I haven't touched the engine.
Starting Tuesday, I noticed that starting out in 1st gear, anything more than about 25% throttle will result in bucking. The engine free-revs fine, if you downshift to pass someone, it generally revs out pretty ok. It's just that any any attempt to put any load on or even lug the engine and it bucks and stumbles like crazy. Searching around the web I've found a lot of threads that point to the coil pack and/or wire plug going into it. Something about it being a symptom that only shows itself under load, which this is.
I've only gotten as far as a visual inspection and it seems like the wires coming into the plug are under quite a bit of strain, like they're pulled tight. I'm scared at this point to try to pull the plug out for fear of totally destroying it.
I also did some diagnosis with my OBDII Bluetooth adapter and the Torque app. I ruled out the TPS by slowly working the gas pedal and noting that the throttle % increased evenly on the app. Finally got a DTC for misfire on the way home from work today. I also ran a misfire counter and logged 89 misfires on the 15 mile drive home from work this morning.
Are there any tests or any more diagnoses I can do before I decide the the coil and/or wiring to it is bad?
ps - I'm pretty disturbed to see that the pigtail for the coil is $30+ whereas a Motorcraft coil is only $25!