2bhumbl

Have the EGR valve checked. Mine was bad and the car jerked at 40mph like it was missing. Didn't have any CEL thrown until just before I got the new EGR valve put on.

Is there a way I can get out of this "Safety Mode"? Good ideas you gave me. The car was sitting out in the damp weather overnight when in the driveway. I felt the misfire when it happened but has since smoothed out with no misfires I can feel. Car has been running fine but the lights are still on.

Happy Holidays Everyone, I did a search on this topic but I need verification. During the recent rain/ice/snow here in Ohio I was trying to get up our driveway (slight incline) and just had to leave the car outside on the drive overnight because I couldn't get all the way to the top to the garage. The next morning, got the drive plowed and the street was cleaned so I could get out. After about 10 minutes of driving, the CEL began to flash and then stayed on and then the TRAC OFF light flashed and stayed on. Took the car to Autozone for code readings and I had 3 codes in this order: P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire) P0300 (Random Misfire detected) P0302 (Cylinder 2 misfire) Both CEL and TRAC OFF are still ON. I did a search in the forum and found similar cases. What I found though, were problems with the Charcoal Canister that people had. I don't see any codes for the Charcoal Canister in the Trouble Codes listing. Could my problem be from the Charcoal Canister eventhough I get P0300 and P0302 codes? Any input is appreciated!! Thanks, Barry

steviej, Bought the EGR Valve on the internet for $130. Had it installed at a place we get our cars serviced for $44. Dealers want approx $400. to do this job including the part. Way too much.

Finally had the new EGR Valve put on yesterday (10/18) and all is fine and much better now. No more miss, hesitation, or surging. The car is back to normal now. Thanks to everyone for your input on this!

Our 97 Es300 has never had this symptom until just recently. So, that is why it is so noticable. Last week I ordered a new EGR Valve. It should be here any day now. As soon as I install it (or have it installed) I'll update this thread to let everybody know how it worked out. BTW, it is still doing this 'miss' between 40-50mph. Some days are better than others. Can't wait to get the part.

I am currently looking at replacing the EGR Valve. Have not done it yet! If I can clean it.....how is this done? The EGR Valve looks like a small bowl with a cover on it......right? Any pics and description of the cleaning method?? Looks like the valve can cost up to $150. I used to have hot restart issues. But the throttle body was cleaned and that really helped. Sounds like you are suggesting the EGR Valve could be responsible for hot restart issues as well? Thanks guys for your help! Barry

Hey Laberty......................thanks for this link. This sounds exactly like my problem. I'll follow-up on this. Thanks again!!!!!

Thanks for your replies.....jragosta - I had the injectors cleaned at the same time the plugs and wires were replaced. I have thought about maybe it being a pump issue as well. I don't think the 97 has a distributor cap but a coil pack. skperformance - This is what is strange. If I press the gas at that speed when it happens there is NO miss. When this first started I thought it was some bad gas. The shop I go to thinks this. They put some additive in the tank. It seemed to get better but it still happens. I am on my second tank of gas since this began. I guess I'll just have to be patient and see what happens. One would think that CEL lights or codes would be thrown on an engine miss.

Hello All, I have a 1997 ES300 with 150K miles on it. Great car and runs good. Recently, a strange symptom has begun. In the 40-50 MPH range the car seems to have a miss. You can feel the hesitation or "studder". Had the plugs and wires changed 20K miles ago. Had the plugs re-checked and all is OK. No CEL or error codes are being thrown. Other thoughts I had on this problem was the possibility of the transmission slipping at the speed(s) I indicated or even something with the ABS system. Sometimes I'll swear the brakes are being lightly applied. Again no ABS lights or codes either. Had the brakes done (all 4) withing the last 7K miles. I am just baffled. The car idles fine. Accelerates fine. Just this wierd "engine miss" feeling at 40-50 MPH. Above 50 MPH I may feel this "miss" sometimes but now I think it is in my head. Anyone else have or had this strange symptom? I appreciate your feedback! Barry