P0301

High Severity

Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected

Ignition System

What Does P0301 Mean?

Cylinder 1 is misfiring — not firing properly. Could be spark plug, coil, injector, or compression issue on that specific cylinder.

Common Fix

Replace spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 1

Estimated Cost (DIY)

$20 - $500

Symptoms

  • ⚠️Rough idle
  • ⚠️Loss of power
  • ⚠️Check engine light (may flash)
  • ⚠️Vibration

Common Causes

Bad spark plug on cylinder 1likely
Faulty ignition coil on cylinder 1likely
Bad fuel injectorpossible
Low compression (valve or gasket)possible

How to Diagnose P0301

  1. 1Swap spark plug with known good cylinder — see if misfire moves
  2. 2Swap coil with another cylinder — see if code follows
  3. 3Check injector operation
  4. 4Run compression test if spark and fuel are good

OEM Diagnostic Flowchart

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Related Resources

Repair guides, symptom pages, and wiring diagrams related to P0301.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find cylinder 1?
Cylinder 1 location varies by engine. Check your repair manual. On most inline engines, it is at the front (belt end).
Can I just replace one spark plug?
You can, but it is recommended to replace all plugs at the same time since they wear together.

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