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AJ
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2004
19:10:29

Subject: Engine Help!
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Got a check engine light this morning on my '01 V6 CC. It just snowed and got really cold last night for the first time (maybe that helps determine the cause). The code indicates a misfire on cylinder #2. 66,000 miles, just did the plugs at 55K. Auto parts guy said it's probly the wires, should I buy a set and see if it works? Does the code have to be reset? Any ideas if it's not the wires? Thanks in advance, I need to have this truck all week!
AJ



guy
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2004
19:20:04

RE: Engine Help!
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hey man, just start checking stuff, pull the plugs and check them out....it could be the wires...are they aftermarket? some aftermarket wires come with just wires and connectors and you have to make them yourself....i notice alot of people having problems because they didnt put the wires together the right way....jsut start looking around...check your fuel injectors on that #2 cylinder also...



AJ
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12/13/2004
19:46:27

RE: Engine Help!
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The wires are original, the plugs are Bosch platinum, everything else is original, just put injector cleaner in it about a week ago. Thanks for the tips!



Turbostang
Dodge Dakota
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12/13/2004
20:48:24

RE: Engine Help!
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It could just be the computer detected a misfire due to the air fuel ratio being overly rich durning cold start up.. Especially if you reved the motor up a little bit, then let off.. Sometimes your idle will drop extra low before the idle air motor can catch up..

To turn the light off, just disconnect you negative battery cable for a couple of seconds.. If it comes back on in a day or two, it will be time to do some further investigating..



Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2004
16:56:35

RE: Engine Help!
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Check the wire routing. If two of the wires are touching they can have some crossfire. I had it happen on my truck when I did mine, only it was a plastic vacuum line laying on top of the distributor. You will hear a ticking noise when it is happening, and you can see the spark at night.



JasonB
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2004
17:44:08

RE: Engine Help!
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Swap another plug wire (of similar length) with that cylinder and see if the misfire follows it.



Dan M
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12/14/2004
21:46:17

RE: Engine Help!
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Just a quick question, why do you still have the original wires on at 66k miles?

- Dan M



garwood
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12/14/2004
23:10:06

RE: Engine Help!
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And why would you think a BOSCH plug would be good after 10K. I've had so many really bad experiences with BOSCH plugs that I refuse to use them.



Trest
Dodge Dakota
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12/14/2004
23:14:16

RE: Engine Help!
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Ive had so many good experiences with them that i negate your comment! =)

All that aside bosch plugs should be fine still. If those wires are stock good lord change them there prolly arcing. Cap and rotor original? could prolly use a changin too



garwood
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12/15/2004
08:29:46

RE: Engine Help!
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My comment was on two levels. First, it is a bad idea to rule out any potential cause. A plug may be defective or is bad because of an engine problem that causes a coating. Second, no other manufacturer has had as many problems with cracked insulators inside the engine. This can cause extensive wall damage. Certain engines have real problems with BOSCH. When I go to a counter guy and say "anything but BOSCH", they usually comment that other people say that they have problems with them too. On other boards, the mention of BOSCH usually brings a firestorm of horror stories. Have never seen that for other manufacturer. Performance should not be confused with durability. I hope everyone has positive spark plug experiences.



Sneezer
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2004
09:52:57

RE: Engine Help!
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I would have to agree that Bosch is not a good match for these engines. I put them in on my very first plug change. In my case they got fouled and the truck ran like crap after a couple weeks. There have been far too many people who have had similar problems. Get some Autolite 3923s - they are cheap and work very well in the magnum engines. The NGK 6F11 also does well. I ran Champion for several years with no problems as well.

I had my original plug wires on for 176k miles. Never had a problem with them. Of course, mine might be an exception.



Dan M
Dodge Dakota
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12/15/2004
10:31:05

RE: Engine Help!
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everything mentioned above should be considered, even the spark plugs. I change my wires every 15-20k miles. Why? well, why not? I would change them especially if they are original and have 66k miles on them - might not be the problem but is a good thing to change.

I now have autolight 3924's (i think) - they are oem replacement. the 3923s are 1 range cooler. I also have autolight wires on - thought would be a good match and so far so good! I have ran bosche in the mustang but not the dakota yet, went from champion (factory) to autolight.

- Dan M



AJ
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12/15/2004
14:20:42

RE: Engine Help!
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Here's the deal - checked the wires (as mentioned are original) in the dark, didn't find any sparks. Did find that the wire was under tension as it mounts in a clip on the side of the engine. I repositioned the wire to give it more slack, and pushed the boot onto the plug. This was Monday evening. As of Tuesday after work, with the truck running fine ever since Monday afternoon, the light disappeared and has not been back since. My theory - the wires are to blame. Plan on replacing with soon - any brands to avoid?



Dan M
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12/15/2004
14:56:24

RE: Engine Help!
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glad you figured it out.

I've not had a bad set of wires, I'm currently running the autolight wires (2-3 months). No complaints about them. They are not as expensive as others, but also not something i'd use for "performance" either. Mine truck is pretty much all stock.

- Dan M



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