Geo throwing P031A

[Sniper82]

Took the kids trick or treating lastnight and in the middle of it my 96 geo prizm 1.6 started spiting and sputtering. It never died but kept doing this. Got it home without it completely dying and hooked it up to my laptop and its pulling code P031A. I can't find anything on this code. I've tried changing spark plugs with same results. Putting stress on the engine makes it worse. Any ideas?

 

[NutBucket]

Have you checked your plug wires? Sounds like you've got a bad misfire. Also, distributor cap and rotor?

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

The code is a cylinder misfire. Not sure of the engine setup, but like nutbucket says, check/change plug wires, cap rotor and coil pack if it has one.

 

[AdamK47]

The Chevy/Geo Prizm is a horrible vehicle. You should have gotten a Toyota Corolla instead. They last much longer than any GM vehicle.

 

[Sniper82]

Today I used another OBD-II reader and its showing misfire on cylinder 2. I reset the code and got under the hood and switched wires with 1 on the plug and distributor. Ran the car and it threw a misfire on 1 now. Does this mean its likely plug wire,rotor or cap?

Either way I ordered all 3 yesterday.

 

[IcePickFreak]

You switched it on both the cap and the plug? Would be the wire then. Either way, its cheap enough so replacing it all is a good idea on a vehicle that age.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

 

[Sniper82]

Yeah I switch at the plug and distributor. I got all 3 for the price of just the wires if bought local(ordered from rockauto). Otherwise it would have cost me double. I'll report back once they come.

 

[NutBucket]

Yep, sounds like you have a bad wire. Its probably arcing through the boot or something.

 

[NutBucket]

The Chevy/Geo Prizm is a horrible vehicle. You should have gotten a Toyota Corolla instead. They last much longer than any GM vehicle.

I hope my sarcasm meter is broken.....

 

[slashbinslashbash]

I hope my sarcasm meter is broken.....

Yes it is, since the Prizm was a rebadged Corolla.

 

[Sniper82]

Yes it is, since the Prizm was a rebadged Corolla.

we know that but does AdamK47? Don't know why he would want to use sarcasm here?

 

[slashbinslashbash]

we know that but does AdamK47? Don't know why he would want to use sarcasm here?

Because the stereotypical knee-jerk advice on car forums is that American cars are crap and that one should always buy Japanese.

 

[IcePickFreak]

we know that but does AdamK47? Don't know why he would want to use sarcasm here?

He drives one of those rwd Grand Am/Cavalier things. :sneaky:

 

[AdamK47]

He drives one of those rwd Grand Am/Cavalier things. :sneaky:

Along with that I also drive a cheaply built poor fat mans mid-life crisis sports car, a trailer park mullet mobile, and a white trash redneck Nascar.