Spark plug cables - check eng light

[oneover]

I have a Corolla 1999 w 140k miles. I popped the spark plug cables off last night (no reason) and immediately put them back in again. This morning, I started the engine and it now has a "shudder" and "shake"... and the check engine light came on.

Could i have damaged the cables by just pulling them off the plugs? I tried to make sure i pushed down hard on the cables when i popped them back on...

Any suggestions on how to fix this and the check eng light?

Thanks

[w203]

Check your spark plugs to see that they are secured.

[REN69]

Did you put the wires back into their right order?? or did you just put them on any spark plug you could find?

[oneover]

Originally Posted by REN69

Did you put the wires back into their right order?? or did you just put them on any spark plug you could find?

I put them right back in - yes, the same order as i pulled them out.

[ea8631]

Maybe the metal part inside the spark plug wire tip has broken off and left at the spark plug tip (that happen to my sister's 1998 RAV4 before)???

If it is that, there will have low or no contact between the spark wire and spark plug, and the engine light will come on because of that.

You can pull the spark plug wire out again and see if there a metal plate in there.

[oneover]

Originally Posted by ea8631

Maybe the metal part inside the spark plug wire tip has broken off and left at the spark plug tip (that happen to my sister's 1998 RAV4 before)???

If it is that, there will have low or no contact between the spark wire and spark plug, and the engine light will come on because of that.

You can pull the spark plug wire out again and see if there a metal plate in there.

Thanks, I will check that out tomorrow morning with more light to see... if this is the case, do I replace the set of wires or just one? What is recommended wires ? How much do these go for?

[ea8631]

Originally Posted by oneover

Thanks, I will check that out tomorrow morning with more light to see... if this is the case, do I replace the set of wires or just one? What is recommended wires ? How much do these go for?

If your spark plug wire haven't been changed since 1999, I suggest you change the whole set.

For brand suggestion, honestly I'm not sure which brand is good, I will just stick with the oem wire, which cost around $65 a set. (quote from Here---> https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/partscat.html)

[oneover]

Originally Posted by ea8631

Maybe the metal part inside the spark plug wire tip has broken off and left at the spark plug tip (that happen to my sister's 1998 RAV4 before)???

If it is that, there will have low or no contact between the spark wire and spark plug, and the engine light will come on because of that.

You can pull the spark plug wire out again and see if there a metal plate in there.

From your experience with the 98 RAV4, did replacing the wires automatically clear the check eng light? or do i have to bring that to a mechanic to reset ?

[ea8631]

Originally Posted by oneover

From your experience with the 98 RAV4, did replacing the wires automatically clear the check eng light? or do i have to bring that to a mechanic to reset ?

I think you need to bring that to mechanic to reset, since last time the rav4's engine light didn't come on, it just the engine run rough when I start it, and I discover that when I pull the wire out and check again.

If that is happen to you, I suggest you don't drive the car until it fix, since the unburn fuel will ruin your catalyst converter and that will cost way more than a set of spark plug wire.

[oneover]

Just to update - I checked the cables again, they looked ok. I pulled out the plugs, and noticed plug #1 was wet (seemed like water)... I cleaned all electrodes and reinstalled the plugs... all good now. The shudder / misfire has gone away.

I am not sure tho where the moisture came from.... I am praying it will not re-occur...

To reset the Check Eng Light, I pulled the 15A fuse for EFI for about 10 secs and reinserted.