Missing Problem has me stumped!

From: Jayson P. Bentley (jayson@bentley.net)
Date: Sun Sep 15 2002 - 18:49:47 EDT


Ok, so this is a Ram and not a Dak, but you guys have always been very
helpful and knowledgeable so I'm turning to you again for help. I have
a problem with my 98 Ram missing. You can feel it at idle as it
stumbles every 5 to 10 seconds. It also seems to stumble really badly
(almost like it's bucking) when in 4th gear and lightly accelerating.
Occasionally the check engine light will flash when this is happening.

Additionally, it has set a few codes and turned on the check engine
light solid. I ran it down to AutoZone to have the code pulled and the
light turned off. The only code stored was 351 which referred to a
faulty secondary ignition coil. What the heck is a "secondary" ignition
coil? I'm only aware of the one.

Mods to the truck are MSD 6A, MSD wires, MSD Blaster SS coil, Autolite
3923 plugs, K&N Gen II, and custom cat-back exhaust.

What I've done so far:
When the problem first started, it also set a code (can't remember the
number) that said too many miss-fires on Cylinder 7, I checked the wire,
and reseated everything, and the stumble was still there. Wondered if
the plug might be bad and just replaced them all for grins. Problem
seemed to subside for a couple of weeks and then returned with a
vengeance.

Today, I decided to change the cap and rotor to see if that would
improve anything. I misplaced the rotor that matched the Accel
distributor cap I installed so I had to settle for a POS one from
AutoZone. I replaced both with a new set from Napa. Went back to AZ
and had the codes pulled and cleared. Just the 351 above was stored. I
got on it pretty had coming home and the check engine light started
flashing. Let off and coasted until it shut off and drove very gingerly
the rest of the way home.

Ok, so now the million dollar question - what else am I missing? Bad
MSD box?

Everyone's help is very much apprecated!

Jayson
1998 Ram SS/T
2000 Grand Prix GTP/GTX
1969 Charger



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