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1997 Ford Explorer Misfire After Plug Wires

1997 ALL OTHER MAKES ALL OTHER MODELS
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TRUSE
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I have a 1997 Explorer XLT V8 with 129,000 miles. As a part of normal maintenance, I changed the spark plugs and spark plug wires this weekend. Now I have a misfire in cylinder #2 and #3 (from CEL code as well as timing light). However, when I test the wires with a variety of plugs outside of the cylinder, there is a strong spark. There were no issues before changing the plugs/wires. Incidentally, the two cylinders are on different coil packs.

Any ideas?
Jan 6, 2007 at 2:43 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,123 POSTS
IT is so easy to cross a couple wires. More often than not, I cross a couple when I change wires. I feel like a moron when I do it knowing how easy it is to do :roll: That and I type the same words twice for some reason. The left and right side of the brain musn't work together well enough in my head :lol:

You need to recheck them with a diagram.
Jan 6, 2007 at 11:34 PM
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Suggested Repair

Recheck spark plug wire routing against a firing-order diagram. Crossed wires are a common cause of misfires after a plug-wire change, even when each wire sparks strongly when tested outside the cylinder.

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Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1997 Ford Explorer XLT V8 developed misfires on cylinders 2 and 3 after replacing the spark plugs and wires, confirmed by a check-engine code and a timing light. The wires still produced a strong spark when tested outside the cylinders, the problem was not present before the work, and the two cylinders use different coil packs. The expert said wires are easy to cross during replacement and recommended rechecking the routing with a diagram.

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