New spark plugs, now check engine light. Help!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,475
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Hi, I'm a newbie here, and there's a similar thread at http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...w-misfire.html, but it doesn't solve my problem. Help!
I just spent a big chunk of my day changing plugs and wires in my 2004 Corvette. I splurged and bought some super duper Pulstar Performance Series spark plugs and some fancy JBA PowerCables hoping they'd help my hp and fuel mileage.
Now that they're installed, my car is misfiring and running really rough, and the check engine light even came on and was flashing. I haven't had the code checked yet, since it's about 9:00 PM here and there aren't any parts stores open.
I don't see any arcing through any of the wires, and I'm pretty sure the wires are on securely. The plugs themselves were put on with anti-seize and with dielectric grease, and torqued to the 11 ft/lb specifications. In other words, everything was done right.
So any idea what I should do? Is there something I'm missing? I spent a big chunk of time changing the plugs, so I want to make sure I've got all my bases covered before I yank them out and start fresh.
Also, now that I've been cruising the interwebs, I've seen mixed reviews of the plugs that I put in. Could it be the plugs themselves?
I just spent a big chunk of my day changing plugs and wires in my 2004 Corvette. I splurged and bought some super duper Pulstar Performance Series spark plugs and some fancy JBA PowerCables hoping they'd help my hp and fuel mileage.
Now that they're installed, my car is misfiring and running really rough, and the check engine light even came on and was flashing. I haven't had the code checked yet, since it's about 9:00 PM here and there aren't any parts stores open.
I don't see any arcing through any of the wires, and I'm pretty sure the wires are on securely. The plugs themselves were put on with anti-seize and with dielectric grease, and torqued to the 11 ft/lb specifications. In other words, everything was done right.
So any idea what I should do? Is there something I'm missing? I spent a big chunk of time changing the plugs, so I want to make sure I've got all my bases covered before I yank them out and start fresh.
Also, now that I've been cruising the interwebs, I've seen mixed reviews of the plugs that I put in. Could it be the plugs themselves?
Good luck.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 593
Likes: 9
From: San Antonio Texas
You can check the codes yourself. Do a search or look at the sticky note at the top of this section and follow the directions. It is easy to do. My guess is you have had a misfire and that triggered the CEL. Pull the codes and post them. Do not panic. You can always put the old plugs back in. Did you damage the old wires taking them off? Good Luck
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thanks for the quick help! I forgot to mention that I gapped the plugs to .040 as was recommended.
I didn't know, though, that the grease worked like an insulator, so maybe (and hopefully) it's as simple as a bad connection on the end of one of the plugs.
I checked the code that it threw, and it was a P0300 - a misfire - but I'll have to get an OBD scanner to tell me which cylinder it's on.
In either case, big thanks, and I'll have to continue on it tomorrow.
I didn't know, though, that the grease worked like an insulator, so maybe (and hopefully) it's as simple as a bad connection on the end of one of the plugs.
I checked the code that it threw, and it was a P0300 - a misfire - but I'll have to get an OBD scanner to tell me which cylinder it's on.
In either case, big thanks, and I'll have to continue on it tomorrow.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Thanks for the quick help! I forgot to mention that I gapped the plugs to .040 as was recommended.
I didn't know, though, that the grease worked like an insulator, so maybe (and hopefully) it's as simple as a bad connection on the end of one of the plugs.
I checked the code that it threw, and it was a P0300 - a misfire - but I'll have to get an OBD scanner to tell me which cylinder it's on.
In either case, big thanks, and I'll have to continue on it tomorrow.
I didn't know, though, that the grease worked like an insulator, so maybe (and hopefully) it's as simple as a bad connection on the end of one of the plugs.
I checked the code that it threw, and it was a P0300 - a misfire - but I'll have to get an OBD scanner to tell me which cylinder it's on.
In either case, big thanks, and I'll have to continue on it tomorrow.
