Spark Plugs Changed - Rough Running
12-09-2001, 05:50 PM
#1
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Spark Plugs Changed - Rough Running
I decided to take advantage of the warmer weather and go ahead a replace the plugs on my 99SE 5 spd (56k). I used the OEM NGK plugs, and everything went smoothly. I started it up, and I could tell right away it was running rough. I let it run for a while, as I know it can take the ECU a while to reset itself after disconnecting the battery.
It didn't get any smoother after about 10 min, and the Check Engine light came on. I decided to use the self diagnostic check on the ECU, so I could what was going on. I get down there with my trusty screwdriver, and as I go to turn it, the connection inside the ECU breaks off. Now I have a piece floating around inside my ECU, not to mention a car that ain't driving so well. Any suggestions?
It didn't get any smoother after about 10 min, and the Check Engine light came on. I decided to use the self diagnostic check on the ECU, so I could what was going on. I get down there with my trusty screwdriver, and as I go to turn it, the connection inside the ECU breaks off. Now I have a piece floating around inside my ECU, not to mention a car that ain't driving so well. Any suggestions?
12-09-2001, 06:03 PM
#2
I would suspect...
One of the plugs is not firing.. Here is the simple solution.. Start the car.. Disconnect one plug at a time.. If you disconnect a working plug then it will become even rougher.. If you disconnect the bad one then no change should occur..
GL.. But 95% this is the problem.. One of your wires must have been damaged in the swap.. Or not on tight enough..
GL.. But 95% this is the problem.. One of your wires must have been damaged in the swap.. Or not on tight enough..
12-10-2001, 04:40 AM
#6
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Re: Re: hmm
Originally posted by Victim64
if he used the OEM ngk's, then they were already gapped, unless one got bent during install??
if he used the OEM ngk's, then they were already gapped, unless one got bent during install??
The plugs I used were the OEM NGK's. I checked the gap anyway, and after it was running rough, I pulled and checked everyone again to insure nothing got bent during installation. The real concern to me is the ECU, and the fact that the self diagnosis screw somehow broke off inside...
12-10-2001, 08:03 AM
#7
Not DAVEB the parts guy
Join Date: Aug 2000
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That's not good if the screw broke off. I'm pretty sure there is no way of fixing that other than getting a new ECU. There should be hardly any resistance when turning the screw. Once you feel it stop in either direction, that's far enough. It could also be causing CEL lights simply because the ECU still might be in a system mod and not a run mod.
Dave
Dave
12-10-2001, 08:19 AM
#8
Originally posted by Dave B
That's not good if the screw broke off. I'm pretty sure there is no way of fixing that other than getting a new ECU. There should be hardly any resistance when turning the screw. Once you feel it stop in either direction, that's far enough. It could also be causing CEL lights simply because the ECU still might be in a system mod and not a run mod.
Dave
That's not good if the screw broke off. I'm pretty sure there is no way of fixing that other than getting a new ECU. There should be hardly any resistance when turning the screw. Once you feel it stop in either direction, that's far enough. It could also be causing CEL lights simply because the ECU still might be in a system mod and not a run mod.
Dave
I think the worst that will come of the broken screw is that he won't be able to reset the ECU. He'll have to either wait for the ECU to figure out that the problems been fixed, or unhook the battery for a while.
12-10-2001, 08:25 AM
#9
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Originally posted by ejj5875
I don't think you can get the ECU stuck in system mode. To get it there, you have to turn the screw one way and then back to the orignal position. I think if you then start the car, it resumes regular mode.
I think the worst that will come of the broken screw is that he won't be able to reset the ECU. He'll have to either wait for the ECU to figure out that the problems been fixed, or unhook the battery for a while.
I don't think you can get the ECU stuck in system mode. To get it there, you have to turn the screw one way and then back to the orignal position. I think if you then start the car, it resumes regular mode.
I think the worst that will come of the broken screw is that he won't be able to reset the ECU. He'll have to either wait for the ECU to figure out that the problems been fixed, or unhook the battery for a while.
12-10-2001, 11:30 AM
#11
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Well I figured out why it was running rough. I somehow managed to bend the middle prong on one of the coils, so that when I put the plug back on, it wasn't making contact. Easy fix, and now it runs great.
Now I just have to figure out what to do about the ECU...
Now I just have to figure out what to do about the ECU...
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