Simple problem problem, complicated symptoms
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 61
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From: Palos Verdes CA
Simple problem problem, complicated symptoms
My GS suddenly started running raggedly, the DIC alternately flashed "Service traction control" and "Service active handling system," while the check engine light flashed intermittently.
Oh-oh, big-time problem, right? Wrong--a spark plug wire came adrift.
Back when God was a boy and I wasn't blessed with a DIC to warn me about all that bad stuff, I would have instantly popped the hood, reconnected the wire and gone on my way. Instead, all those warnings cowed me into leaving the GS at the dealer for a day.
Modern technology has its advantages, but it can sure obscure a simple problem.
Oh-oh, big-time problem, right? Wrong--a spark plug wire came adrift.
Back when God was a boy and I wasn't blessed with a DIC to warn me about all that bad stuff, I would have instantly popped the hood, reconnected the wire and gone on my way. Instead, all those warnings cowed me into leaving the GS at the dealer for a day.
Modern technology has its advantages, but it can sure obscure a simple problem.
Le Mans Master
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Very timely thread. Thanks a bunch. This very same thing happened to me the other day. Got an appointment for Monday morning. I can fix this myself.Well I pulled my right fuel rail cover and low and behold the wire for #2 was disconnected.
Last edited by Rky Mtn C6; Jul 12, 2014 at 11:42 PM.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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Happened to me on my 427 Vert. Called the dealer to make an appointment and the service manager told me to check the spark plug wires, and sure enough the wire from one of the plugs "fell off". Put it back on and problem solved. Same thing happened two weeks later(different wire) so I knew what the problem was.
Advise: Pulled all wires off, one at a time and put dialectric grease on each end to keep corrosion at bay. No problems since.
Advise: Pulled all wires off, one at a time and put dialectric grease on each end to keep corrosion at bay. No problems since.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 61
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From: Palos Verdes CA
Cool. It's nice to know that my note helped another forum member.
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Thank you Corvette Forum members
Took the GS out for a Sunday drive and suddenly the car was running rough and the check engine light was flashing along with the "service traction control" & "service active handling system" notice. Got her home & jumped on the Forum did a search and this thread came up. Tonight I took the fuel rail cover off and a spark plug wire was just hanging there. Plugged it back in and all is well. Thanks to all the forum members who help all of us out from time to time.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 940
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From: Long Island NY
I had the same issue at 300 miles and fixed it myself. What I found was that the wire which fell off was broken. It would not click on to the coil like it should when reinstalled. After a closer look the metal tab that's part of the contact was broken off. My advice to anybody who has had a wire fall off is to check it carefully. Sometimes simply pushing it back on is not a complete fix. And you may want to check the others while you're there.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 108
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From: South Central PA
What is the root cause of the wires coming off the plug?
Is it vibration from driving?
Is it that the metal in the "boot" was not crimped tight enough from the wire manufacturer to make a tight connection?
Vetteguy4 mentioned corrosion, so is that another cause for the wires to fall off?
Sorry, not much of a mechanic here but want to know the WHY'S of these problems.
Thanks!
Is it vibration from driving?
Is it that the metal in the "boot" was not crimped tight enough from the wire manufacturer to make a tight connection?
Vetteguy4 mentioned corrosion, so is that another cause for the wires to fall off?
Sorry, not much of a mechanic here but want to know the WHY'S of these problems.
Thanks!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
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From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
What is the root cause of the wires coming off the plug?
Is it vibration from driving?
Is it that the metal in the "boot" was not crimped tight enough from the wire manufacturer to make a tight connection?
Vetteguy4 mentioned corrosion, so is that another cause for the wires to fall off?
Sorry, not much of a mechanic here but want to know the WHY'S of these problems.
Thanks!
Is it vibration from driving?
Is it that the metal in the "boot" was not crimped tight enough from the wire manufacturer to make a tight connection?
Vetteguy4 mentioned corrosion, so is that another cause for the wires to fall off?
Sorry, not much of a mechanic here but want to know the WHY'S of these problems.
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
Thread Starter
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 61
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From: Palos Verdes CA
In this thread [http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-z...-fell-off.html], I read that you should "burp" the boots. I surmise that if the boot makes a good seal, the act of pushing it home builds up internal air pressure. When the underhood temperatures climb, the pressure may increase to the point that the boot pops off like a champagne cork, taking the wire with it. See message 4 in the above thread for one way to release the pressure.
