Chuck (notice the capital), i just went through the same thing. i was about to drive the car to LA when it misfired for about 30 seconds on the drive down to san jose. being one who has already been stranded many times w/ this car, i smartly decided not to continue the drive, despite the issue clearing up.

i drove approx 60 more miles, and then the misfiring became permanent.

my issue was cracked coilpacks and bad plugs - don't be surprised if your issue pops back up shortly. if not, you've got more luck than me.

- chuck

 

Register the car in Nevada where you don't have to pay the sales transfer tax and pass the smog test in less than 5 minutes (they just plug into your OBII).

 

CHP has been wise to that trick for some time. If you get pulled over commuting to work, they'll figure it out.

http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=1801334

Anyhow, unless you've gone completely off the deep end on your car, and are running it catless, you should be able to pass smog, so why bother?

 

Hi, no it wasn't after a smog, it was before, and I fixed it. In my case,
it was the MAF that went after 6 years... My car runs well now.

 

Joe: I have a feeling you're right and the problem will resurface again. Your symptoms are spot on with mine, except mine ran like **** for the half-block when I left the house, so I just backed up with it misfiring like my old Taurus and parked it in the driveway and left it overnight. Next day the CEL was still there, but steady...that's when I went to AutoZone and ran the codes....which eventually cleared themselves.

I can't see how something like this would just arbitrarily happen and then never happen again....not the way it was running. I thought about bad gas, but that idea got poo-poo'd by the forum....so eventually I am anticipating a coil or two and plugs. Unlike you, Ive never been stranded by this car....now the 930 is another matter....

 

It helps to have a Nevada DL and a residence in both states...

 

Topless is right. In CA, it is the seller's responsibility to smog the car before they sell it. If you ask the smog testing place, they will confirm.