Changed plugs and wires, now car idles crappy and CEL is flashing

[97splorer]

Today I changed my plugs and wires. After I finished I took it for a test drive and it went fine... untill the #8 plug wire came off of the plug. it smelled like fireworks and was running like ****. I re attached the wire and now the truck seems to run fine but idles a little rough and the check engine light is flashing.

Anyone know what the problem might be??

PLEASE HELP SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JDraper]

Try re-setting the computer. Pull the negative terminal off the battery for about 5 minutes, put it back on, fire up the truck and let it idle for a couple of minutes. Your computer might have learned some bad habits while the plug wire was off. Also, if the CEL is related to the wire being off, this will clear it.

 

[97splorer]

I did take the negitive wire off the battery fo a few min. after I hooked the wire back up. After driving a few miles the light started blinking. Is this a serious problem or should I try dis-connecting the battery again?

 

[JDraper]

You might also want to make absolutely sure that the wires are going to the proper plugs. If you crossed 2 wires, it is possible that it would drive ok and idle crappy. This would also throw a CEL.

 

[JDraper]

Another thing, it's possible that you also shorted a coil pack out if the wire grounded itself.

 

[97splorer]

How would I check the coil packs? It doesn't really ride all that ****ty, but it just idles a little rough when in drive.

 

[JDraper]

Somewhere on the site someone posted what the resistance values of the coils should be. You can check them with a multi meter. Try a search on coil and resistance.

 

[97splorer]

Found the problem...the #4 wire had been up against the exhaust manifold and burned halfway thru th wire. I'm gonna get a new set of wires tomorrow and tie them off away from the headers.