Missing and rough idle. Where to start?

My truck is a 2010 4 cylinder regular cab manual 4x4 93k miles.

I purchased it used with 68k. So I am not sure on what maintenance had been done. I have just changed all the fluids a few times but nothing else.

I have had no problems untill yesterday when I left work. It was running fine for a while then it started missing and went into what I guess is some type of safe mode and would hardly move. I pulled over and pulled the battery cable and reset everything and was able to get it home. It did it a couple more times on the way home.

It idles rough but revs up fine when parked. It starts missing when under a load or going up hill until the CEL comes on and it goes in safe mode.

It was a cold day but not the coldest we have had here. I am not sure if something froze up in the fuel or its electrical. I have been planning on changing the spark plugs soon because I am not sure if they have ever been changed. I had similar issues with my F150 and it was always the coil packs.

 

the first thing id do is check the mass air flow sensor, that little guy can mess with a whole bunch of stuff,
the first place would be to get the check engine light code at a local auto parts store, its usually free.99

 

I dont have a code reader. I will have to buy one on my way home or try to limp it 20 minutes away to autozone and see. Any good recommendations on a reader thats cheap? LOL

 

an ultra gauges are pretty cheap.

 

I dont see that one in stock anyplace local

Advance auto has the Actron Pocket Scan Code Reader in stock for $40. What about that one?

 

why not just use auto zones? better yet, are you attempting to fix this yourself? maybe just run it to a local shop for a diagnostic.

 

Ill will be attempting the repair my self. I have done a lot of work on older vehicles I just dont have a lot of experience with newer vehicles like this and diagnosing the issues. I figured I should probably just get a reader instead of risking a tow bill or worse damage to it from driving it around.

 

Plugs will be a good start.

 

Yeah thats what I was thinking too. Its time for a set anyway. I was thinking about picking up a set of plugs and 1 coil pack up on my way home today. Ill have a few hours Sunday to work on it but I need to have my crap together so as not to waste time chasing parts around. If its not the coil pack its good to have on on hand. They got $40 off $100 at advance auto coupon code right now so it wont be too costly. Ill grab a scanner too. I should have one anyway.

 

Just get the plugs for now, Grasshopper. Denso Iridium then air filter and clean the maf.

 

When I had that issue on my 96, it was the MAF.

 

FYI. I hooked up a code reader and it gave me a code for a misfire on cylinder 2. I pulled the plug on 2 and it was burnt pretty bad. I changed the plugs and its back running again.

 

Glad it was relatively simple!