Blinking SES Light

I just finished up my LIM gasket replacement yesterday. Before trying to start up the car, I turned the key so the fuel pump could prime the system. It took a few tries before it actually started, but I think that was because there was still a bit of air in the fuel system. After working out the air, it ran pretty smoothly. I checked around the fuel injectors for any leaks and couldn't find any, or even hear any leaks. I go back inside the car to check the gauges and my SES light is blinking at me. GREAT! Just what I wanted to see after doing a job like this.

Everything I have read on here about misfires usually goes back to the spark plug wires or something with an ignition coil. I doubt It's an ignition coil. Is it possible for a spark plug wire that got put into the wrong spot to cause a misfire? Also, one of the wires didn't have an audible "click" when I tried putting it back. I reason It's a wire related issue because that's all we touched besides the fuel injectors, but they all look good besides a couple pintle caps, but I doubt that'll cause a misfire.

I am hoping this is something as simple as a misplaced wire because I just want to drive! Even if It's a coincidence and the wires and plugs need to be changed, I'll be happy with that. Already have them on hand too. Thoughts?

A spark plug wire in the wrong place will absolutely cause a misfire! What happens is you actually have 2 spark plugs firing in the wrong order now if this is the case....

Abaddon wrote:

A spark plug wire in the wrong place will absolutely cause a misfire! What happens is you actually have 2 spark plugs firing in the wrong order now if this is the case....

The "...." has me worried.

I get it, but you just had half of the engine apart. Chances are, it's something simple and you need to double/triple check your work before we start freaking out. 9 times out of 10, something like this is just a simple "oops".

Abaddon wrote:

I get it, but you just had half of the engine apart. Chances are, it's something simple and you need to double/triple check your work before we start freaking out. 9 times out of 10, something like this is just a simple "oops".

Ahh. It's so hard not to jump to something catastrophic that happened. Especially, with having half the engine apart, I can't help but think something horrible happened. I'm hoping It's as simple as a couple wires in the wrong order.

Fortunately swapping a couple of wires will make it run like crap, but won't harm anything unless you try to push the motor.

Yeah, if it's misfiring and you swapped the wires/didn't push the wire in all the way it will cause issues. Nothing serious though, just swap them to the way they should be and you'll be fine. Wires won't always click on the plugs, but as long as you pushed it on nice and snug you should be good. A good way to check is to see where the bottom of the plug boot is on a plug where it does click on, and then as long as the other boot that doesn't click on is at the same spot on the plug you'll be good.

Hopefully going to my uncle's house later to see what's up. I'll update if a solution is found. Fingers crossed!

Do you guys think the missing and partially broken pintle caps that I have could cause this misfiring?

KnottyEagle wrote:

Do you guys think the missing and partially broken pintle caps that I have could cause this misfiring?

Messed up vacuum lines can and will cause the car to run weird.

Booyah! Spark plug wires 2 and 6 were switched around.

We had to replace a few vacuum lines, but everything we replaced it with fits like a glove. We could barely get the hose over the T's that the connection was so tight.

When the SES light blinks, it indicates conditions that can cause damage to the catalytic converter. Unburned fuel entering the cat can burn and cause damage. Don't drive a car that continually misfires.

LARRY70GS wrote:

When the SES light blinks, it indicates conditions that can cause damage to the catalytic converter.  Unburned fuel entering the cat can burn and cause damage.  Don't drive a car that continually misfires.

Good thing I didn't drive it. I had it idling in a garage (with the door open) for a few minutes to check for any leaks.