Hi guys,
My '93 Cavelier 2.2 automatic runs rough from when you first start it until it reaches full operating temp, at which time it begins to smooth out and run fine. I decided to pull all 4 plug wires one by one while cold to see if one of the cylinders wasn't firing. My suspicions were confirmed when I pulled the #3 wire, no spark at all going to that cylinder. If you listen at the tailpipe while it's warming up, you can hear the dead cylinder begin to fire. It becomes more and more frequent until it fires full time. This car has the original original wires & coil packs. Ign. module was replaced a year or so ago. No over rich situation or ring seal issues. Plug are firing clean except #3 when cold is wet, naturally. Check engine light is not on. 115k miles. Thanks!

Tends to make me think while the other wires seem fine the particular wire make be just worn out.IF the problem was different I would think maybe the coilpacks,but not so in this case bc it would affect all cyldrs versus one.I would go cheap by some new wires for it.That is where I would start,I have had wires be shot dead due to other issues but as soon as I replaced them problem was solved.OK

Ron,
Thanks for the reply! I agree with the you, changing the wires should be the first place to start. Seems if it was a coil pack you'd have 2 dead cylinders instead of 1. Thanks again and I'll let you know how it goes.

First place to check would be the Spark gap, easy enought, when the air is cold it's more dense meaning that at low temps there is more air/fuel in each cyclinder and it takes more juice to jump the gap if the gap is to large at some point it won't jump and it misfires. Check the gaps to make sure they are all the same if they are then go to the plugs..

Chris