Ok guys, this is my first post on DF

I recently replaced all the ignition coils and spark plugs on my 2006 dodge dakota 3.7

the spark plugs are autolite platinums

http://www.drew2global.com/platinum0.jpg

I first started the truck then realized I forgot to re connect the mass airflow sensor, so I shut it off and re connected it. The truck was running really rough. I shut it off and pulled the negetive cable off the battery for a minute or two figuring it would force the system to get used to the new plugs and coils..... Still running really rough and when driveing the check engine light just keeps flashing.

Do you think I have a bad coil or connection or are these spark plugs just no good for my truck??

Any help would be great and thankyou

 

did you gap the plugs correctly? i know it sounds stupid but i've seen guys on here that said they put in new plugs and come to find out they never GAPPED the plugs just threw them in outa the box! so i would just take everything apart and plugs out and just re-do it makin sure proper gap is reached and everything is tight and secured properly!

 

Ok thankyou so much for the info,

I was told that the plugs were pre-gapped but I will dubble check them

Do you know if there are any spark plugs out there that I should be shure to stay away from,

and thankyou very much

 

When you gap them, make sure you use the correct units. I can't remember what forum I was on, but a while back I read about a guy having issues with his new plugs and it turned-out he misunderstood and gapped them in mm instead of inches!

 

yeah even if it says its pregapped it may not be for the right vehicle! so everytime just check it! i believe they are .40? just check the manual and you'll know!

 

Our trucks normally dont like anything other than copper cores. If the light is flashing and the truck is running rough, normally thats a signal of a misfire. My engine light went nuts when I got water in one of my plug wells.

First, I would get the code read. It will normally tell you what number cylinder the problem is on or if it is on all of them. Cylinders on the drivers side from front to back are 1,3,5,7 and on the passangers side from front to back it goes 2,4,6,8. If all cylinders are misfiring, you either have a problem with your plugs or coils. I would start with changing the plugs to the stock champion copper cores.

And there is no MAF on our trucks. Im guessing you mean the IAT sensor. That would give you a CEL, but it should have nothing to do with your problem now that it is hooked back up and you reset the truck.

The one thing you could try is to make sure that all the wires are snapped in to the coils properly, and that all the coils are snugged down properly with the nuts holding them to the manifold. And if you didnt do it when you installed the new coils, I would put dielectric grease around all the boots. This will prevent the boots from fusing to the plugs and also if any moisture gets in there, it will prevent the current from grounding somewhere other than the plug itself.

Gapping normally isnt a big deal. I wouldnt pull the plugs out to just gap them unless you were replacing them. My truck was running fine on gaps of over .10 when I pulled out the factory copper cores. Normally the gap will improve efficiency but wont actually cause a problem unless the gap is too small and no spark is being created, or the gap is too big and the arc is jumping to the wall.

 

WOW!!!! you guys are good!

Tomrrow morning I will change out the spark plugs for copper ones. I will also check to make shure there is a correct gap. I already checked to make shure all the wires were properally conneted but I will keep it in mind to make shure after the new plugs go in. I will also purt dieletric greese around the boots of the coils I never even thought of that, my gess would be it would also help from water getting in there also.

The truck is deffently missfireing, as the whole thing vibrates and raddles while going down the road.

Thanks so much for your help, I will let you guys know how I made out.

 

sounds good...i've never put that greese in on my truck and its been fine! so w/e works for you just hopefully this helps and works out for ya!

 

and deffinately a gap of .10 is way off! no bueno! but yeah man just check em and make sure you gap them to what your truck calls for and that everything is seated all the way down and hooked up right and should be just fine!

 

I just therw the old plugs back in my truck for now intuil I can take the new plugs back to autozone and exchange them for a some that will actually work with my truck.

Does anyone have any recomendations on spark plugs that would be the best?? Rite now the origional plugs are in and the truck has a almost perfict idle and I wanna keep it that way.