Question about Coil pack and spark plug wire set - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bail_w · 11-03-2010, 08:44 PM

First, the original spark plug wire set (~130k on them and bad) was replaced by autozone dualast brand and the coil pack had oil over it (valve cover gaskset leak). So now, my 98 corolla was experiencing misfire on one or more cyclinders but i can't figure out which was the problem. I tried to touch the spark plug wire set (near the connection to the coil packs) while the car was on and i got shocked.

My guess is the spark plug wire set ( cheap shit from autozone) but i also suspect the coil packs. Someone help me out?

Thanks

sam333 · 11-04-2010, 01:24 AM

Even a good set of wires or coil pack can shock you if you touch it in the right place, so that may or not be causing your missing problem. Plug wires do start to leak worse when they get old( insulation breaks down). The coilpacks are designed for that eviroment and are fairly oil and fuel proof.

bail_w · 11-04-2010, 01:37 AM

I think i found the problem. i was checking if there was oil in the spark plugs. after i was done, i did not push the wire set all the way down until the 'click' sound. Hope the CEL is gone for good.

boxer4luvr · 11-09-2010, 08:43 AM

So is it still missing? On a 4-banger it's pretty easy to tell.

bail_w · 11-09-2010, 10:11 AM

Still experiencing the same problem, so i am going to replace the coil packs and spark plug wire set with used OEM from ebay.

Will update this.

boxer4luvr · 11-09-2010, 10:59 AM

just attempting ot offer help... you do have the wires correctly paired with the coil packs right?
When we did my engine swap stuff I thought it was one of these "wasted spark" systems where the coil pack fires for #1 OR #3... and then for #2 OR #4... but we found that it acually made a difference. #1 needs to be #1 and so forth.
Hate to see you spend $$ and still nto solve the problem if it's something simple like this. I think we mentioned this and took some pics or something in my motor swap thread.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/sh...75#post3134975

sam333 · 11-09-2010, 12:58 PM

Do you have a manual?
Are you getting any codes ?
Can you feel the mis or are you just going by the codes?
A mis can be caused by alot of different things.
Plug wires wear out, it may not be a good idea to buy used ones.
The coil packs are easy to test.

bail_w · 11-09-2010, 02:45 PM

The wires are paired correctly with the coil packs, i had my friend's 98 prizm to confirm it. Yes, i was getting CEL and the error codes were indicating one or more cylinders misfiring. Another error code was saying the signal to spark plug was low.

sam333 · 11-09-2010, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bail_w

The wires are paired correctly with the coil packs, i had my friend's 98 prizm to confirm it. Yes, i was getting CEL and the error codes were indicating one or more cylinders misfiring. Another error code was saying the signal to spark plug was low.

Hows the compression?
How do your plugs look?
How many miles on the car?
What are the #'s of the codes?
I dont know of any "signal to spark plug low" error code.
Can you actually feel the car miss/ run rough?, if so, at what RPM , under load, no load, cold, warmed up...ect .
You have to give more detailed info.

bail_w · 11-09-2010, 05:20 PM

compression for each cyclinders are about ~150 psi. replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs (NGK).

codes are p0300 and 0320

i can feel the car "lose" a cyclinder or two when i am at 55-65 mph range but after or before that range, the car feels fine.

boxer4luvr · 11-10-2010, 07:15 AM

Man, I hate issues like these. Ok...so it looks like the 0300 series of codes is regarding random misfires, yes?
I'd tend to think maybe a vacuum leak...or perhaps a stuck/faulty EGR valve?
This is the list (that I found, may be others) of POTENTIAL items the P0300 codes may be specifying:

* Faulty spark plugs or wires
* Faulty coil (pack)
* Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
* Faulty fuel injector(s)
* Burned exhaust valve
* Faulty catalytic converter(s)
* Stuck/blocked EGR valve / passages
* Faulty camshaft position sensor
* Defective computer

I doubt that it's a burned valve if it's intermitttent. ....same goes for the camshaft position sensor and probably for the ECM.

The listing for the cat confuses me a bit since I thought you'd be seeing a P0420 CEL.

As for the EGR valve... I thought you'd probably see a P0401 or P0402 CEL, which is absent. ...so maybe make sure you've those new plugs gapped properly, and have them well seated and the wires and coil packs sorted.

So.... in summary.... I'd think vaccum leak since you've apparently spent a bit of time already making sure the plugs/wires/coil packs are right.

The P0320 code is a bit odd. P0320 Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction. I'll to research that one a bit before commenting.

boxer4luvr · 11-10-2010, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bail_w

compression for each cyclinders are about ~150 psi. replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs (NGK).

codes are p0300 and 0320

i can feel the car "lose" a cyclinder or two when i am at 55-65 mph range but after or before that range, the car feels fine.

Really?.. now that's interesting. so you can fairly confidently say that you can reproduce the issue when you want to? That would be a tremendous help in troubleshooting!
So....it operates normally at lower speeds... under varying throttle conditions? ..... and then, out ont he hwy, etc... when you get to 55-65mph range it triggers the event? ....And is this only under throttle?...only under light throttle?... if you stay in the throttle and go up to 70+mph it goes away?

boxer4luvr · 11-10-2010, 07:21 AM

Here's some info on the P0300 code:

Check Engine Light Code P0300

Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected

Possible Causes:

Fuel injectors, related wiring, sensors and computer issues
Running out of gas, or poor fuel quality
Evaporative emissions system (EVAP) concerns: fuel vapors leaking into engine
Incorrect Fuel Pressure
EGR system concerns: leaking EGR valve or restricted ports
Base engine concerns: low compression, valve train problems and timing issues
Ignition system concerns including, but not limited to:
Faulty spark plugs
Faulty coil or related wiring
Ignition module or related wiring issues
Ignition related sensor faults or wiring issues
Diagnostic Help:

To diagnose a P0300 trouble code we begin by checking for proper fuel and ignition system operation, and then follow up with the less likely causes listed above, such as EGR and EVAP system problems. New style coil on plug applications have a high failure rate, and can be concluded faulty by swapping to another cylinder and checking to see if the misfire moves to that cylinder. This is a quick check if a capable scan tool or oscilloscope is not available. Always make sure the basic maintenance is done first and that things such as the fuel filter, air filter, spark plugs and spark plug wires are in good working order, as these are all possible candidates for a problem. If necessary, check for wiring and component concerns.

sam333 · 11-10-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bail_w

compression for each cyclinders are about ~150 psi. replaced the valve cover gasket and spark plugs (NGK).

codes are p0300 and 0320

i can feel the car "lose" a cyclinder or two when i am at 55-65 mph range but after or before that range, the car feels fine.

Did you mean 0302?
Your compression is getting on the low side.
Is this a constant mis in that speed range ,and does it do it every time you drive the car?
How many miles on the car?

bail_w · 11-10-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boxer4luvr

Man, I hate issues like these. Ok...so it looks like the 0300 series of codes is regarding random misfires, yes?
I'd tend to think maybe a vacuum leak...or perhaps a stuck/faulty EGR valve?
This is the list (that I found, may be others) of POTENTIAL items the P0300 codes may be specifying:

* Faulty spark plugs or wires
* Faulty coil (pack)
* Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
* Faulty fuel injector(s)
* Burned exhaust valve
* Faulty catalytic converter(s)
* Stuck/blocked EGR valve / passages
* Faulty camshaft position sensor
* Defective computer

I doubt that it's a burned valve if it's intermitttent. ....same goes for the camshaft position sensor and probably for the ECM.

The listing for the cat confuses me a bit since I thought you'd be seeing a P0420 CEL.

As for the EGR valve... I thought you'd probably see a P0401 or P0402 CEL, which is absent. ...so maybe make sure you've those new plugs gapped properly, and have them well seated and the wires and coil packs sorted.

So.... in summary.... I'd think vaccum leak since you've apparently spent a bit of time already making sure the plugs/wires/coil packs are right.

The P0320 code is a bit odd. P0320 Ignition/Distributor Engine Speed Input Circuit Malfunction. I'll to research that one a bit before commenting.

Actually, i did see a P0420 error code. Forgot to include that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam333

Did you mean 0302?
Your compression is getting on the low side.
Is this a constant mis in that speed range ,and does it do it every time you drive the car?
How many miles on the car?

As far as i know, as long as all cyclinders are getting consistent pressure then it should be fine.

It happens 95% of the time when i was driving on the freeway.

The car has 130k miles on it.