P0302 Code: Meaning, Symptoms, Causes & Fixes

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Causes ranked by likelihood

CauseLikelihoodDIY difficulty
Bad spark plug on cyl 2 — Easiest fix.Most likely2/5
Failing ignition coil on cyl 2 — Swap-test with another cylinder.Possible2/5
Faulty injector on cyl 2 — Check resistance and spray pattern.Less likely2/5

Symptoms of P0302

  • Vibration at idle
  • Power loss
  • CEL

How to diagnose P0302

  1. Confirm the code. Read P0302 with an OBD-II scanner and note the freeze-frame data (speed, temperature, load) recorded when it set.
  2. Check for companion codes. Look for other stored or pending codes such as P0300, P0301 — they often point to one shared root cause.
  3. Check: Bad spark plug on cyl 2. Easiest fix.
  4. Check: Failing ignition coil on cyl 2. Swap-test with another cylinder.
  5. Check: Faulty injector on cyl 2. Check resistance and spray pattern.
  6. Clear and verify. After the repair, clear the code and complete a full drive cycle to confirm P0302 does not return.

Can I drive with P0302?

No, especially if the check engine light is flashing.

Related codes

Related symptoms

Frequently asked questions

What does P0302 mean?

P0302 means cylinder 2 misfire detected. P0302 means cylinder 2 is misfiring. Diagnosis is identical to P0301 — start by swapping the cylinder 2 spark plug and coil with another cylinder.

Can I drive with code P0302?

No, especially if the check engine light is flashing.

What is the most common cause of P0302?

Bad spark plug on cyl 2 — Easiest fix.

What are the symptoms of P0302?

Vibration at idle, Power loss, CEL.

How much does it cost to fix P0302?

A typical shop repair range is $30–$600, depending on which cause it turns out to be. Cheaper causes such as faulty injector on cyl 2 should be ruled out first.

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