97 Ford Ranger 2.3L Engine P0301 Misfire Diagnosis and Solutions
My 1997 Ford Ranger with a 2.3L engine has been experiencing rough idle that worsens as the engine cools down. The check engine light is on, and the fault code displayed is P0301 — indicating a misfire in cylinder #1. I've already performed a tune-up, replacing spark plugs and ignition wires, but the issue persists. The vehicle has 150,000 miles on it. Despite these efforts, the problem remains unresolved. I'm seeking reliable advice on potential causes and next steps to diagnose and fix this P0301 misfire in my 97 Ford Ranger.
Perform a compression test to rule out mechanical issues, and consider swapping the fuel injector position on the rail to check if the misfire is related to injector performance.