David99TL

Hey guys,

I just recently changed my spark plugs and shortly after changing them I received P1298, P0301, P0302, P0304, P0300 and these are all misfire codes except for P1298. Does anyone know why this happened? I used Champion brand if that makes a difference.

Also, the only method available for me to gap them was to push down on a metal surface in the engine bay. I gapped them by pressing them down on parts in the engine bay that were painted, so I'm not sure if enough paint got on the spark plugs and are keeping them from firing. Any ideas?

Thank you for your help!!!

bl3ujay07

You need the right spark plugs. NGK Iridium.

01tl4tl

A: NEVER run champion in the TL..use NGK Iridium IX
take them out TODAY
B: Never try to regap the NGK as they cannot be done old school style
Spend the 8 bucks each and use the right parts for the car

suggest seafoam in gas 1 can to half tank,,do that twice and you have tune up in a can done
also clean tb air inlet plate
replace PCV valve

reset ecu/clear codes, by removing CLOCK fuse on passenger end of dash for a minute

Skirmich

I cannot believe Champion still exists in the USA... WoW..
Do NGK Iridium IX!!!!!!!!!

Newer Spark Plugs specially for JDM cars (Honda, Toyota, Nissan) comes always Pre-Gapped never try to Re-Gap a Spark Plug for Asian Cars.

David99TL

Sorry, they are not Champion, but Autolite. I called Autozone and they said they can exchange them. Is there any damage that can happen with these plugs? I've already driven about a week with them in.

Thank you for the help!!!

bl3ujay07

So you have been driving around for a whole week with random misfire? Awesome.

David99TL

I changed the spark plugs and the misfire code came on last week. About a day later I called a mechanic and he said it could be the Electric Load Detector because it needed to be replaced, so he replaced it. It was ok for a few days until Saturday when the check engine light came on again. That's when I decided to post here. I thought that the problem was solved, but apparently it isn't.

Thanks for the help!!!

fsttyms1

Did you drop a coilpack during the plug change? Odds are its just 1 coil pack is going bad causing your random misfire code.

01tl4tl

autolite- still not the CORRECT NGK (stores will try to sell wrong ngk plugs too!)
cant imagine they had the nerve to sell those to you--when the hood sticker clearly states: USE ONLY ngk or denso and list the part number!
(note those numbers are for platinums, and we can safely run irids)

did you reset the ecu with the clock fuse method? after plug swap do that again

no worry of engine damage right now- just fix the problem

As fsttyms1 said- coil packs are easily damaged during plug change-
just setting it down hard can be the end of it
they are like Grandmas fine china,,easily damaged,, and without you knowing it,,

If I had new plugs and reset the ecu, and still have misfire codes-
it would be off to the parts store or dealer to buy 1 coil for $50.. and work the problem from there

David99TL

I don't think I set the coil packs down too hard. I am pretty careful getting them off and when they are off I put them on top of the valve cover until I am ready to put them back on. I have not reset the ECU yet, but I will as soon as I change the plugs. After I change the plugs hopefully these codes will go away and if they don't I will go ahead and buy one coil pack and go from there as you suggested.

Thanks for all the help guys!!!

01tl4tl

get you money back for the incorrect repair done too
what the heck is a load sensor for the plugs anyway?

01tl4tl

coils can die from age too

David99TL

Ok, I installed some NGK Iridium IX's. Hopefully, the misfire codes don't come back.

The car stumbles sometimes and to the point that it turns off unless you keep the gas pressed. I noticed it does this normally after it has been warmed up. I read that this can be a bad IACV or that it needs to be cleaned. Is there a writeup that shows how to clean it?

Thank you!!!

01tl4tl

did you reset the ECU with clock fuse removal method?
clears codes and forces brain reset to ck for other problems

have you done the egr port and passage cleaning yet?
suspect that before IAC issue--but clean the iacv while TB is off the car for egr service.
easy diy

David99TL

I thought the ECU already reset because the check engine light cleared on it's own. I can go ahead and remove the fuse anyways though.

No, I haven't done the EGR port cleaning. I've never owned a TL and I've just had this one for a few months. Is there a diy thread on how to do it?

Thanks for the help!!

01tl4tl

there is a diy..look down the main thread list for gen 2,,
its 3rd thing there `OFFICIAL DIY LIST`
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/new-official-2nd-gen-tl-diy-thread-706083/

and the egr cleaning
https://acurazine.com/forums/2g-tl-1999-2003-98/diy-thermoblok-spacers-install-egr-cleaning-615644/
ignore the parts about stud change- thats if you install the special heat spacer

01tl4tl

some CEL will self clear but you had multiple problems
always use the clock fuse when in doubt
a minute removed is plenty to force the reset = loss of power to system causes reboot and self test of all systems,, same as your home PC

VIPTypeS

Ive had this problem before working at toyota, did you drop the plug in the whole and possible make the gap smaller? try checking all of the spark plug gaps to make sure they are correct.

01tl4tl

welcome to the forum

In this case the OP had installed autolite plugs, when the TL will only run correctly on ngk or denso --8 dollars per plug
it burns up everything else