Cylinder 2 isn't firing properly, like one spark plug in a four-cylinder engine refusing to ignite the fuel-air mixture. The engine computer detected this misfiring and turned on the check engine light to alert you.
The ECU monitors crankshaft speed variation between each cylinder firing using the crankshaft position sensor. When cylinder 2 fails to combust properly, it creates an abnormal dip in RPM that the computer detects. If misfire counts exceed the threshold within a specific drive cycle, the fault is logged.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Fault Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft acceleration | Consistent RPM variation within 2-3% | Deviation >5% on cylinder 2 over 1000 revolutions |
| Misfire count per 1000 cycles | <1 misfire | >5-10 misfires detected |