I have a 01 chevy malibu i just had my spark plugs and wires changed now my check engine light is on?

Question

when i had the code looked up for the reason it was "misfire" i've checked the gap and its correct. i think the problem is the wires how do i find out which wire goes where?

i went and got a book from the store. so if the book doesn't tell me which wire goes where what do i do. the thing is my cousin works on cars and he changed everything and i didn't drive it or anything before he left now he is out of town. i just dnt know what to do?

so could it be possible for the wires to be on the wrong spark plug? if so how can it be fixe, and could it be something else. i have everything up to date and i didn't have any problems till i have the plugs and wires changed. i did purchase a book from the auto parts store.the car just isn't picking up speed, i took it to the auto parts store and the code through up a misfire code

so what if the wires are already on the car how do i know which one is in the correct place. i understand taking one off at a time to match it up.i honestly think that between the last three two are wrong. only because i didn't see him do it i saw the first two. do you think i need to recheck the gap.

Answer 1

I would get a book on it from the local auto store it should tell you the firing order and were to start

Answer 2

An 01' uses OBD-II diagnostic strategy. So if someone scanned it it would have one of the following codes if it was a misfire. P0301 would be a cyl 1 misfire while a P0302 would be a cylinder two misfire and so on. You can also get a random misfire code which means many of the cylinders are misfiring. A proper diagnostic scanner will also retrieve the live data stream from the on board computer. It will read how many misfires for each cylinder and have a history record of when it happened, at what engine temp, speed etc.

A special note from a seasoned mechanic. Just because you put new parts in it, doesn't mean they all work. Also, you can get a misfire code if a cylinder is dead or a fuel injector isn't firing. This is because the combustion process isn't completing. Long term misfire problems will fuel foul the catalytic converter and it could melt. More expenses in other words. Also, the raw fuel in whatever cylinder that isn't getting burnt, is partially diluting the motor oil as some gets past the rings. bad for it as well. There are many ways to check the condition but remember , you won't be able to clear the codes and know there is still only one code without the proper equipment.

Answer 3

With the engine cold, find your self a spray bottle with glass cleaner, or water in it.

Start the car.
Alow it to run at idle for 30 seconds to a minute or so.
Now, spray the exhaust manifold to see which exhaust port is NOT as hot as the others.

If you find one that's still cold. That cylinder is NOT firing.
You may have a bad spark plug, or loose spark plug boot.

If you find two exhaust ports that are cold, swap out the spark plug wire and see if it runs better.

Answer 4

you take 1 wire off at a time and hold it up against a new wire, so you can get the right size. taking 1 off at a time, you wont get the firing order mixed up.if new plugs and wires dont help, have the coil and module checked.

Answer 5

if you work on it your self. go to a parts store and get you a repair book. on what you are working on. it will be well worth the $10.00 or $20.00 dollars it will cost you ! and take your car to a shop thay can reset ever thing and the light will go out hope this helped you out god bless goodluck !

Answer 6

The coil pack should have the number of each cylinder on it and in the intake manifold should be the numbers cast into it