Need some help!

[AZBuman]

I am in need of some help quick. I am off at school for the Army at Ft Lee. About 200 miles from home and my tools. Today I ran down to the store to get some dinner and noticed that my 1998 LC had started to idle really rough. No lights on at that time just a really rough idle like it might stall. I did a quick search on my phone and there was a lot of different opinions. So I filled her up and added a fuel injector cleaner and headed back to my room.

On the way back to my room my CEL came on and began to flash at me. Again she was still idling rough and didn't get up and go very well but I was still able to get her up to 40 mph. I took her down to an O'Rilley and had them check the CEL. The following codes came back:

C0215-TPMS Left Rear
P0304-Cylinder 4 misfire
P0100-Mass air volume Air flow A circuit
P0110-Intake Air Temp Sensor
B2796-No Communication Immobilizer system

I spoke with the guy at the store and he said he would change spark plugs first, and if that didn't work go on to replace the coil back.

Here is my dilemma, like I said I am at an Army school until 1700 Monday thru Friday and I have no tools. I want to change the spark plugs, I have a pretty good amount of daylight after school to probably get the job done. However what tools would you buy to replace these plugs. And how would you go about attacking these codes. Once I finish this school on the 18th I will be planning my move to Colorado on the 1 June, so I have a pretty compressed timeline. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[LBridges]

Hopefully somebody more knowledgeable will chime in, but until then...

TPMS - Tire Pressure Management System - not something you need to worry about at the moment - unless of course you have a tire going flat
P0100 - Open or short in MAF meter circuit - did you disconnect anything, maybe to check the air filter before this happened? Maybe unplug and reconnect the MAF wiring connector, might help with dirty contacts.
P0110 - Open or short on Intake Air Temp sensor - which is on the same wiring as the MAF - hence my asking about the connection of the plug
P0304 - I wouldn't just start swapping plugs until you get the other stuff fixed - but my guess is a coil pack getting ready to give it up. You can swap them around to see if the misfire moves - that way you know if it's the plug or the coil. To swap out a coil pack could be as simple as getting a 3/8" drive ratchet and a set of metric sockets.
B2796 - This one may be old and a result of a new key being made back when you got the truck - the code gets set when a un-programmed key is inserted. After programming is complete one should clear the code but I think locksmiths probably don't carry that sort of code deletion tool with them.

 

[tabraha]

Shot in the dark but I would buy a coil pack and start with cylinder #4.

 

[AZBuman]

Thanks guys for the replies. I also found this thread:

Rough Idle/Sputtering/CEL/Misfire = Coil pack problems

Sounds like a coil pack is a likely fix. As far as the MAF I haven't messed with it lately. However it could be dirty, I'll check it tomorrow and see if anything is disconnected. I did a quick look under the hood tonight and didn't notice anything out of place.

 

[savirc]

x2 on the coilpack

 

[camino70]

I'd try clearing the codes and probably swap the #4 coil pack. I bought 8 for $80 on Amazon, but wouldn't highly recommend it.

Info on coils, including 2 of my 8 failing in short order:
When to replace Ignition coils.

Denso coil, possibly same as oem for $56 each:
Amazon.com: Denso 673-1303 Ignition Coil: Automotive

There has to be someone near you willing to help/loan tools.

If you get some tools, you'll need 10mm socket to move the air box on pass. and bracket on drivers. 10mm to get the coil packs out. If you dig further and do the plugs, you'll need 16mm deep socket with about a 9" extension. I like to use a section of vaccuum hose that will fit on the plug end to get it out/in the hole. It'd be good to get a feeler gauge to check the plug gap, antisieze and some dielectric grease.

 

[arcteryx]

Yep, change the coil with a denso unit. don't go generic. and if/when you do change your plugs, there are 2 brands Mr T recommends, don't get anything else or you will have problems.

 

[AZBuman]

Thanks for everyone's help. I was able to buy a cheap socket set for 15.99 and the replacement coil and got it fixed! The CEL went off and the LC is purring away, no rough idle or anything. Again thanks to everyone for all your help.