I am trying to figure out where to start on fixing my car. I got in the car the other morning and it started jerking and bucking upon acceleration. It did not throw a code at that time. The check engine light would not stay on. It just flashed. I drove it again a few days later trying to diagnose it and it did not buck as bad. It did finally throw a code on the engine though. Codes P1316 and P0301. I know that those are misfire codes and on cylinder #1. What I don't know is if the problem is as obvious as that. The care runs ok at an idle except for an occasional shake of the engine, but it is inter mitten. When I accelerate it misses more, but only if I accelerate above 1.5 to 2000 rpms on the tack. That is until I get to about 40 to 45 mph... then the check engine light will start flashing until I get back down below 40. I am wondering if I need to delve into the engine and change the spark plugs or just change the fuel filter? Any suggestions?
I am in desperate need of help. I am trying to get to Joplin, MO where my 13 year old daughter is. She is out in the streets pulling people and animals out of houses after the tornado yesterday... I have to get there to help her and I have no other vehicle!!!

 

Because you are only getting a misfire on 1 cylinder, I would venture to guess that you have a problem with either the spark plug or the coil (more likely the coil). You can sometimes look at the top of the coil and see a crack which will indicate that you have a bad coil (allows water into the coil, causing the coil to short out).

I would first try swapping #1 and #3 coils and seeing if the codes shift to cylinder #3. If it does, then it confirms a bad coil. If it stays with #1 cylinder, then you have a bad spark plug.

Hope this helps.

 

Your number one coil is bad. That coil is under the intake manifold, so when you replace it you might as well do the other two coils under there and the spark plugs. If your car has a lot of miles I would also recommend replacing the lower intake gaskets while you have it all apart. Obviously you will already be replacing the upper intake gaskets if you pull the intake off.