!@#$%^& Plug Wires
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Hollywood FL
!@#$%^& Plug Wires
This is now thw second time in 6000 miles with my 427 that I have been afflicted with the traction control and engine lights coming on while the car sputters to a halt in a parking space. As expected, I found a few plug wires had fallen off. Is it worth getting a new set under warranty or are the aftermarket leads that much better? I am starting to regret replacing my German cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
This is a car you got new and it's not engine-modified? I've heard/read of one wire loosening, but NOT a few loosening. Presume these are stock plug wires and plugs and that you check them once they put on the new ones.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Hollywood FL
New car, totally stock - except for the engine replacement at 5000 miles. The dealer re-used the original plug wires when the engine was replaced and said if I had any issues with them to bring it in and they would replace them. I just think a new set that actually stays in place is worth the price rather than my time and energy going to the dealer.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
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The factory wires are fine, and will last the same amount as the spark plugs (100K).
The problem is when you pull the wires for the first time that are factory installed (solvent installed that causes the boots to stick to the plugs and coil caps), you have to be careful or you can cook them on the first time removal.
Best guess is when they did the engine swap, they just yanked out the spark plug wires, and this is the problem at hand (new set of factory wires will solve the problem).
The problem is when you pull the wires for the first time that are factory installed (solvent installed that causes the boots to stick to the plugs and coil caps), you have to be careful or you can cook them on the first time removal.
Best guess is when they did the engine swap, they just yanked out the spark plug wires, and this is the problem at hand (new set of factory wires will solve the problem).
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 189
Likes: 3
From: Orange County California
The factory wires are fine, and will last the same amount as the spark plugs (100K).
The problem is when you pull the wires for the first time that are factory installed (solvent installed that causes the boots to stick to the plugs and coil caps), you have to be careful or you can cook them on the first time removal.
Best guess is when they did the engine swap, they just yanked out the spark plug wires, and this is the problem at hand (new set of factory wires will solve the problem).
The problem is when you pull the wires for the first time that are factory installed (solvent installed that causes the boots to stick to the plugs and coil caps), you have to be careful or you can cook them on the first time removal.
Best guess is when they did the engine swap, they just yanked out the spark plug wires, and this is the problem at hand (new set of factory wires will solve the problem).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Hollywood FL
No. My dealer's mechanic is top-notch. They fell off before when the car was new before the engine or anything else was touched. I may just let the dealer replace them with new ones but damn, is it really that hard to design a plug wire that doesn't fall off?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,549
Likes: 33
From: Los Angeles CA
No it's not and the reality is you're having a very isolated experience. Just go get the new wires put on and be done with it.
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Safety Car
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From: Baton Rouge LA
St. Jude Donor '14, '16
New factory wires will be fine...the mechanic can be top notch but people he could have been in a hurry and if they were loose to begin with he had no chance of leaving them in tact.
Let the dealer put new wires on and you won't have another problem so long as they properly click them into place.
Let the dealer put new wires on and you won't have another problem so long as they properly click them into place.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Tonawanda New York
Plug wires don't just "fall off" if they are put on correctly. You need to hear and feel the click sound the terminal makes when it snaps over the connector of the spark plug. You don't just push the boot on as far as you can and think your making a good connection.
When I put the MSD wires on my GS,I spent plenty of time on each wire until I felt that plug wire snap over the connector. I also used a tiny dab of dielectric grease inside the plug boot.
When I put the MSD wires on my GS,I spent plenty of time on each wire until I felt that plug wire snap over the connector. I also used a tiny dab of dielectric grease inside the plug boot.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
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C6 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Plug wires don't just "fall off" if they are put on correctly. You need to hear and feel the click sound the terminal makes when it snaps over the connector of the spark plug. You don't just push the boot on as far as you can and think your making a good connection.
When I put the MSD wires on my GS,I spent plenty of time on each wire until I felt that plug wire snap over the connector. I also used a tiny dab of dielectric grease inside the plug boot.
When I put the MSD wires on my GS,I spent plenty of time on each wire until I felt that plug wire snap over the connector. I also used a tiny dab of dielectric grease inside the plug boot.
When I replaced my wires and plugs they came pre greased and had heat boots. MSD wires also. No problems with either the factory or MSD wires.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
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From: Hollywood FL
Maybe someone should send these installation notes to GM because I had 3 wires fall off their coils before the engine compartment was ever touched by me or anyone else.
I will have my dealer replace them this week. Thanks.
I will have my dealer replace them this week. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Southampton NJ
Race Director
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From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
115K on my '08 with original wires that have been on and off several times and have never "fallen off".When the dealer stated if you have a problem he'd replace them, so just do it.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2010
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I would like to document the concerns you are having with your wires in our system. Will you please send us a PM with your info? I am pretty sure we have talked in the past, so I am sorry that you continue to have concerns!
If you go to the dealership prior to replying to us, please keep us all updated on your visit.
Have a great night,
Kelly J.
Chevrolet Customer Care
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,503
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many times plug wires need to be burped of air that's trapped under the boot while installing them. this can be done with a simple hook/pick tool. be careful not to puncture the boots while doing this. GM tech here....
new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer. 
new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 8,049
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From: Charlotte NC
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
In my entire life I have never had a Plug Wire fall off, your mechanic must not be too bright. If it were me I would buy my own wires and install them myself. My time is worth more than going to the dealer, leaving the car and then going back because someone does not know how to put on a spark plug wire. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 8,259
Likes: 411
From: Mt. Sinai NY
many times plug wires need to be burped of air that's trapped under the boot while installing them. this can be done with a simple hook/pick tool. be careful not to puncture the boots while doing this. GM tech here.... new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer.
new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer. I seen it 3 times this last summer. Plug wires not burped. Seems like the air inside gets hot and expansion happens. Crazy right ? Clif
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 241
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From: Hollywood FL
In my entire life I have never had a Plug Wire fall off, your mechanic must not be too bright. If it were me I would buy my own wires and install them myself. My time is worth more than going to the dealer, leaving the car and then going back because someone does not know how to put on a spark plug wire.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
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From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
many times plug wires need to be burped of air that's trapped under the boot while installing them. this can be done with a simple hook/pick tool. be careful not to puncture the boots while doing this. GM tech here.... new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer.
new wires can and will do the same thing. new wires is not the cure all, save yourself a trip to the dealer. Maybe not exactly trapping air, but I do recall the old distributor caps and how some of the boots would have problems going on until they were essentially "burped," altho that may not be what it was called at the time. Many also had that positive "click" to know it was seated properly and wouldn't shake loose.