2001 not starting after tune up

[ASUMTNEER]

So last night I pulled the intake and replaced all 6 plugs with ngk twin tips and replaced the wires with ngk wires. I also replaced the starter contacts since I was having trouble with the truck not firing up on the first turn of the key.

After buttoning everything back up, it would turn over, try to crank, but it won't start up. I thought the plug wires were in the wrong order, but after checking they were right. The coil packs don't go on to a certain plug, do they? I was pretty sure they were all 3 the same.

Anybody have any ideas?

2001 4x4 v6. 170k miles

 

[TheDurk]

1. Check the plug wires again against this:

2. Check the engine ground by the diagnostic plug.

 

[tystaco]

All 3 coil packs are the same.

 

[Chim]

I will admit this just happened to me cause I wasn't paying attention

I had actually forgot to plug one of the coils back in when putting it back together. It was the one under the air intake assembly so I didn't catch it till I took it back apart to see what I did wrong. Hopefully yours is as simple. Doh!

 

[ASUMTNEER]

1. Check the plug wires again against this:

2. Check the engine ground by the diagnostic plug.

This is not at all the way I thought it was. I'll have to check this out in the morning. Thanks

 

[jgue467]

Let's hope for no damage. I damaged a mazda 4banger many years ago mixing up 2 plug wires, arrrggggggg!!!!!

 

[3bears]

wow, on a 2001 you have to pull the intake to replace the plugs...really..then I'm glad I have a 2000

 

[Tinigunner11]

wow, on a 2001 you have to pull the intake to replace the plugs...really..then I'm glad I have a 2000

You don't have to pull the intake to change the plugs on any 5vz, not sure why the OP did. All 5vzfe's are the same except for the throttle body after 2000 I believe. After that they switched to a drive by wire rather than a cable.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Since you said you worked on the starter, double check all the wires on on there securely.

Also, you might have unplugged the MAF sensor if you removed the intake. It's an easy one to forget when putting it all back together and would 100% not make it start.

 

[baja1]

for no apparent reason my ICM gave up the ghost and wouldn't spark????

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Since you said you worked on the starter, double check all the wires on on there securely.

Also, you might have unplugged the MAF sensor if you removed the intake. It's an easy one to forget when putting it all back together and would 100% not make it start.

I thought of this as well. If switching the wires doesn't do anything, I'll check the starter connections.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Turns out the wires weren't in the correct positions. I swapped them according to the diagram. I started it up and after a few seconds it idled nicely.

Thanks for your help!

 

[AntleredRuin]

Glad that solved your issue!
Slightly off topic, but is there any reason for the wires to be loomed per the diagram? Obviously they have to fire the proper plug, but what about the little 'wire holder looms'? Does having them in the proper slots help prevent misfires or something?
I always just followed the diagram, but I've always been curious about that.

 

[spazzyone]

You don't have to pull the intake to change the plugs on any 5vz, not sure why the OP did. All 5vzfe's are the same except for the throttle body after 2000 I believe. After that they switched to a drive by wire rather than a cable.

Wait, what? I just changed the plugs on my '01 last weekend for the first time (had the truck for 1 year). You definitely have to remove the intake to get to the plugs on the passenger side. It sits right on top of everything...?

Not my photo but this is basically what it looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBdp8rjYkw

I didn't follow this video either but that's basically the process that I went through.

 

[TheDurk]

Turns out the wires weren't in the correct positions. I swapped them according to the diagram. I started it up and after a few seconds it idled nicely.

Thanks for your help!

You are not alone. That diagram has resolved the issue of several posters who "thought" they had it right. H/T to [MENTION=43936]zcruiser[/MENTION] whom I got it from.

Quick way to remember--the difference is always three: 1-4, 3-6, 5-2.

 

[AntleredRuin]

Wait, what? I just changed the plugs on my '01 last weekend for the first time (had the truck for 1 year). You definitely have to remove the intake to get to the plugs on the passenger side. It sits right on top of everything...?



Not my photo but this is basically what it looks like.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDBdp8rjYkw

I didn't follow this video either but that's basically the process that I went through.

OK that's the confusion. I think people thought you were referring to the Intake Manifold. That's the Intake Silencer/Baffle. That DOES have to removed, correct.
Then next in line is the Throttle Body, Intake Plenum, then Intake manifold.

I've not worked on one, but according to my dad, you DO have to remove the Intake Manifold to access the spark plugs on a Mitsubishi Montero Sport 3.5L. Sounds like a PITA.

 

[I_bRAD]

You don't have to pull the intake to change the plugs on any 5vz, not sure why the OP did.

You don't need to take off the intake plenum, but you do need to take off the intake pipe...

 

[TheDurk]

"Intake" is really a function, that involves many parts, going from the mouth of the air filter box all the way to the valves allowing the fuel/air mix into the cylinders.

Strictly speaking, to take the "intake" off, you need to remove all of them.

 

[BamAustian]

I tackled a tune up last night, and it was my first on this engine. I read that diagram probably 10 times to make sure I had it right. I don't know why, but it was confusing me.... Maybe bc it was late

 

[mtbtim]

This is auto repair 101. Unless you're intimately familiar with your engine, make a diagram and label shit before you just start yanking stuff off all willy nilly. When I did my plugs and wires, I took one wire off at a time so I could make sure I knew exactly where it went back. I'm not the quickest DIY mechanic by any means but part of it is due to taking my time and being careful noting how I'm taking things apart.

I envy the people who can pile up a tray of nuts, bolts and parts and then be able to figure out how everything goes back together. But then again, maybe these people are the same ones who end up asking this question when they're all done, "I wonder what this bolt goes to?"

I guess what Old Man Timmy is trying to say is take your time and do it right the first time.