P0304
Worn out spark plugs, ignition wires, coil(s), distributor cap and rotor (when applicable), Incorrect ignition timing, Vacuum leak(s), Low or weak fuel pressure, Improperly functioning EGR system, Defective Mass Air Flow Sensor, Defective Crankshaft and or Camshaft Sensor, Defective Throttle Position Sensor, Mechanical engine problems (i.e.—low compression, leaking head gasket(s), or valve problems)
Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
- Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug
- Damaged ignition wire, boot or distributor components (if applicable)
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Vacuum leak affecting cylinder 4 intake
- Low or weak fuel pressure or faulty injector for cylinder 4
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0304 stored
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Loss of power, hesitation or poor acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
- Visible misfire when revving or under load
- Possible audible popping or backfire
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and number of misfire counts with an OBD-II scanner
- Scan for related codes (P0300, P0301–P0308, fuel trim, MAF, cam/crank sensor codes)
- Inspect spark plug, coil and ignition boots for cylinder 4
- Swap coil/injector between cylinder 4 and a known-good cylinder to see if code follows component
- Measure fuel pressure at the rail and check injector pulse and resistance
- Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4
Signal parameters
- Crankshaft position sensor: consistent RPM pulses, no missing teeth or irregular timing
- Cylinder contribution or balance data: low/zero contribution from cylinder 4
- Short-term and long-term fuel trim (STFT/ LTFT): large positive trim suggests lean condition
- MAF reading in g/s appropriate for RPM and load
- Fuel rail pressure: within manufacturer spec (psi/bar)
- Injector pulse width for cylinder 4 (ms) similar to other cylinders under same conditions
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze-frame data and related codes with a scan tool to determine when misfire occurs (idle, load, warm/cold).
- Visually inspect spark plug, coil pack/boot and wiring at cylinder 4; replace plug if fouled or worn.
- Swap the cylinder 4 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder. Clear codes and run to see if P0304 moves to the other cylinder (confirms coil/pack).
- If coil OK, swap the fuel injector with another cylinder or use an injector balance test. Monitor changes and inspect injector resistance and spray pattern.
- Check fuel pressure and fuel system health (fuel filter, pressure regulator). Repair if pressure out of spec.
- Perform a compression test or leak-down test on cylinder 4 to identify mechanical issues (low compression, leaking valve, or head gasket).
- Check intake system for vacuum or intake manifold leaks (use smoke test) near cylinder 4 and repair leaks.
- Verify MAF, MAP and TPS readings with live data; clean or replace MAF if contaminated and causing lean condition.
- Check crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing; inspect timing belt/chain condition and alignment.
- Inspect and test EGR operation; clean or replace if EGR is causing re-introduced exhaust flow and misfire.
- After repairs, clear codes and perform road test and re-scan to confirm misfire is resolved and no new related codes appear.
Likely causes
- Faulty spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 4 or low fuel pressure
- Vacuum leak or intake leak near cylinder 4
- Low compression or mechanical valve/head gasket issue on cylinder 4
- Faulty crank/cam position sensor or timing error
- MAF sensor error producing incorrect air/fuel mixture
Fault status
Similar codes
Repair manuals for AUDI
6-speed manual gearbox 0B1, front-wheel drive — Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2014)
Workshop ManualAudi A3 (1997) – 1.6L 4-cylinder (2‑valve) Engine Mechanical Components Service Manual (AEH, AKL, APF) – Edition 07.2002
Workshop ManualAUDI A3 (2004) Workshop Manual — 2.0L FSI Turbo (4‑cyl, 4‑valve) Engine, Mechanics — Edition 03.2017
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Workshop ManualAudi A4 / A4 Cabriolet (1.8T 4‑cyl turbo) — Motronic Injection & Ignition System Service Manual (Edition 01.2015)
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Workshop ManualAudi Q8 (2018) — Electrical System Workshop Manual (Edition 05.2019)
Workshop ManualAudi Servicing Manual — 7‑Speed Dual Clutch Transmission 0CJ / 0CL / 0CK / 0DN / 0DP / 0HL (Edition 05.2018)
Workshop ManualP0304
Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
- Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug
- Damaged ignition wire, boot or distributor components (if applicable)
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Vacuum leak affecting cylinder 4 intake
- Low or weak fuel pressure or faulty injector for cylinder 4
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0304 stored
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Loss of power, hesitation or poor acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
- Visible misfire when revving or under load
- Possible audible popping or backfire
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and number of misfire counts with an OBD-II scanner
- Scan for related codes (P0300, P0301–P0308, fuel trim, MAF, cam/crank sensor codes)
- Inspect spark plug, coil and ignition boots for cylinder 4
- Swap coil/injector between cylinder 4 and a known-good cylinder to see if code follows component
- Measure fuel pressure at the rail and check injector pulse and resistance
- Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4
Signal parameters
- Crankshaft position sensor: consistent RPM pulses, no missing teeth or irregular timing
- Cylinder contribution or balance data: low/zero contribution from cylinder 4
- Short-term and long-term fuel trim (STFT/ LTFT): large positive trim suggests lean condition
- MAF reading in g/s appropriate for RPM and load
- Fuel rail pressure: within manufacturer spec (psi/bar)
- Injector pulse width for cylinder 4 (ms) similar to other cylinders under same conditions
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze-frame data and related codes with a scan tool to determine when misfire occurs (idle, load, warm/cold).
- Visually inspect spark plug, coil pack/boot and wiring at cylinder 4; replace plug if fouled or worn.
- Swap the cylinder 4 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder. Clear codes and run to see if P0304 moves to the other cylinder (confirms coil/pack).
- If coil OK, swap the fuel injector with another cylinder or use an injector balance test. Monitor changes and inspect injector resistance and spray pattern.
- Check fuel pressure and fuel system health (fuel filter, pressure regulator). Repair if pressure out of spec.
- Perform a compression test or leak-down test on cylinder 4 to identify mechanical issues (low compression, leaking valve, or head gasket).
- Check intake system for vacuum or intake manifold leaks (use smoke test) near cylinder 4 and repair leaks.
- Verify MAF, MAP and TPS readings with live data; clean or replace MAF if contaminated and causing lean condition.
- Check crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing; inspect timing belt/chain condition and alignment.
- Inspect and test EGR operation; clean or replace if EGR is causing re-introduced exhaust flow and misfire.
- After repairs, clear codes and perform road test and re-scan to confirm misfire is resolved and no new related codes appear.
Likely causes
- Faulty spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 4 or low fuel pressure
- Vacuum leak or intake leak near cylinder 4
- Low compression or mechanical valve/head gasket issue on cylinder 4
- Faulty crank/cam position sensor or timing error
- MAF sensor error producing incorrect air/fuel mixture
Fault status
Similar codes
Available brands with manuals
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Workshop ManualP0304
- The order of ignition of 4 cylinders is broken
Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
- Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug
- Damaged ignition wire, boot or distributor components (if applicable)
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Vacuum leak affecting cylinder 4 intake
- Low or weak fuel pressure or faulty injector for cylinder 4
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0304 stored
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Loss of power, hesitation or poor acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
- Visible misfire when revving or under load
- Possible audible popping or backfire
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and number of misfire counts with an OBD-II scanner
- Scan for related codes (P0300, P0301–P0308, fuel trim, MAF, cam/crank sensor codes)
- Inspect spark plug, coil and ignition boots for cylinder 4
- Swap coil/injector between cylinder 4 and a known-good cylinder to see if code follows component
- Measure fuel pressure at the rail and check injector pulse and resistance
- Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4
Signal parameters
- Crankshaft position sensor: consistent RPM pulses, no missing teeth or irregular timing
- Cylinder contribution or balance data: low/zero contribution from cylinder 4
- Short-term and long-term fuel trim (STFT/ LTFT): large positive trim suggests lean condition
- MAF reading in g/s appropriate for RPM and load
- Fuel rail pressure: within manufacturer spec (psi/bar)
- Injector pulse width for cylinder 4 (ms) similar to other cylinders under same conditions
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze-frame data and related codes with a scan tool to determine when misfire occurs (idle, load, warm/cold).
- Visually inspect spark plug, coil pack/boot and wiring at cylinder 4; replace plug if fouled or worn.
- Swap the cylinder 4 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder. Clear codes and run to see if P0304 moves to the other cylinder (confirms coil/pack).
- If coil OK, swap the fuel injector with another cylinder or use an injector balance test. Monitor changes and inspect injector resistance and spray pattern.
- Check fuel pressure and fuel system health (fuel filter, pressure regulator). Repair if pressure out of spec.
- Perform a compression test or leak-down test on cylinder 4 to identify mechanical issues (low compression, leaking valve, or head gasket).
- Check intake system for vacuum or intake manifold leaks (use smoke test) near cylinder 4 and repair leaks.
- Verify MAF, MAP and TPS readings with live data; clean or replace MAF if contaminated and causing lean condition.
- Check crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing; inspect timing belt/chain condition and alignment.
- Inspect and test EGR operation; clean or replace if EGR is causing re-introduced exhaust flow and misfire.
- After repairs, clear codes and perform road test and re-scan to confirm misfire is resolved and no new related codes appear.
Likely causes
- Faulty spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 4 or low fuel pressure
- Vacuum leak or intake leak near cylinder 4
- Low compression or mechanical valve/head gasket issue on cylinder 4
- Faulty crank/cam position sensor or timing error
- MAF sensor error producing incorrect air/fuel mixture
Fault status
Similar codes
P0304
Cylinder 4 Misfire Detected
Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
- Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug
- Damaged ignition wire, boot or distributor components (if applicable)
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Vacuum leak affecting cylinder 4 intake
- Low or weak fuel pressure or faulty injector for cylinder 4
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0304 stored
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Loss of power, hesitation or poor acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
- Visible misfire when revving or under load
- Possible audible popping or backfire
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and number of misfire counts with an OBD-II scanner
- Scan for related codes (P0300, P0301–P0308, fuel trim, MAF, cam/crank sensor codes)
- Inspect spark plug, coil and ignition boots for cylinder 4
- Swap coil/injector between cylinder 4 and a known-good cylinder to see if code follows component
- Measure fuel pressure at the rail and check injector pulse and resistance
- Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4
Signal parameters
- Crankshaft position sensor: consistent RPM pulses, no missing teeth or irregular timing
- Cylinder contribution or balance data: low/zero contribution from cylinder 4
- Short-term and long-term fuel trim (STFT/ LTFT): large positive trim suggests lean condition
- MAF reading in g/s appropriate for RPM and load
- Fuel rail pressure: within manufacturer spec (psi/bar)
- Injector pulse width for cylinder 4 (ms) similar to other cylinders under same conditions
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze-frame data and related codes with a scan tool to determine when misfire occurs (idle, load, warm/cold).
- Visually inspect spark plug, coil pack/boot and wiring at cylinder 4; replace plug if fouled or worn.
- Swap the cylinder 4 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder. Clear codes and run to see if P0304 moves to the other cylinder (confirms coil/pack).
- If coil OK, swap the fuel injector with another cylinder or use an injector balance test. Monitor changes and inspect injector resistance and spray pattern.
- Check fuel pressure and fuel system health (fuel filter, pressure regulator). Repair if pressure out of spec.
- Perform a compression test or leak-down test on cylinder 4 to identify mechanical issues (low compression, leaking valve, or head gasket).
- Check intake system for vacuum or intake manifold leaks (use smoke test) near cylinder 4 and repair leaks.
- Verify MAF, MAP and TPS readings with live data; clean or replace MAF if contaminated and causing lean condition.
- Check crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing; inspect timing belt/chain condition and alignment.
- Inspect and test EGR operation; clean or replace if EGR is causing re-introduced exhaust flow and misfire.
- After repairs, clear codes and perform road test and re-scan to confirm misfire is resolved and no new related codes appear.
Likely causes
- Faulty spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 4 or low fuel pressure
- Vacuum leak or intake leak near cylinder 4
- Low compression or mechanical valve/head gasket issue on cylinder 4
- Faulty crank/cam position sensor or timing error
- MAF sensor error producing incorrect air/fuel mixture
Fault status
Similar codes
P0304
No.4 cylinder misfire detected
Causes
- Worn or fouled spark plug in cylinder 4
- Faulty ignition coil or coil-on-plug
- Damaged ignition wire, boot or distributor components (if applicable)
- Incorrect ignition timing
- Vacuum leak affecting cylinder 4 intake
- Low or weak fuel pressure or faulty injector for cylinder 4
Symptoms
- Check Engine Light (MIL) illuminated with P0304 stored
- Rough idle or shaking at idle
- Loss of power, hesitation or poor acceleration
- Increased fuel consumption
- Visible misfire when revving or under load
- Possible audible popping or backfire
What to check
- Read and record freeze frame and number of misfire counts with an OBD-II scanner
- Scan for related codes (P0300, P0301–P0308, fuel trim, MAF, cam/crank sensor codes)
- Inspect spark plug, coil and ignition boots for cylinder 4
- Swap coil/injector between cylinder 4 and a known-good cylinder to see if code follows component
- Measure fuel pressure at the rail and check injector pulse and resistance
- Perform a compression or leak-down test on cylinder 4
Signal parameters
- Crankshaft position sensor: consistent RPM pulses, no missing teeth or irregular timing
- Cylinder contribution or balance data: low/zero contribution from cylinder 4
- Short-term and long-term fuel trim (STFT/ LTFT): large positive trim suggests lean condition
- MAF reading in g/s appropriate for RPM and load
- Fuel rail pressure: within manufacturer spec (psi/bar)
- Injector pulse width for cylinder 4 (ms) similar to other cylinders under same conditions
Diagnostic algorithm
- Retrieve freeze-frame data and related codes with a scan tool to determine when misfire occurs (idle, load, warm/cold).
- Visually inspect spark plug, coil pack/boot and wiring at cylinder 4; replace plug if fouled or worn.
- Swap the cylinder 4 ignition coil with a known-good cylinder. Clear codes and run to see if P0304 moves to the other cylinder (confirms coil/pack).
- If coil OK, swap the fuel injector with another cylinder or use an injector balance test. Monitor changes and inspect injector resistance and spray pattern.
- Check fuel pressure and fuel system health (fuel filter, pressure regulator). Repair if pressure out of spec.
- Perform a compression test or leak-down test on cylinder 4 to identify mechanical issues (low compression, leaking valve, or head gasket).
- Check intake system for vacuum or intake manifold leaks (use smoke test) near cylinder 4 and repair leaks.
- Verify MAF, MAP and TPS readings with live data; clean or replace MAF if contaminated and causing lean condition.
- Check crankshaft and camshaft position sensors and timing; inspect timing belt/chain condition and alignment.
- Inspect and test EGR operation; clean or replace if EGR is causing re-introduced exhaust flow and misfire.
- After repairs, clear codes and perform road test and re-scan to confirm misfire is resolved and no new related codes appear.
Likely causes
- Faulty spark plug or ignition coil on cylinder 4
- Clogged or leaking fuel injector for cylinder 4 or low fuel pressure
- Vacuum leak or intake leak near cylinder 4
- Low compression or mechanical valve/head gasket issue on cylinder 4
- Faulty crank/cam position sensor or timing error
- MAF sensor error producing incorrect air/fuel mixture
