Ok, here's the deal: my celi's about to hit 99k miles, so i figured i'd go ahead and replace the fuel filter, spark plugs, plug wires, and change the oil.

Got everything done. And it was done by the book; i have a Haynes repair manual (and some common sense). The plugs were torqued and the wires aren't touching or crossed.

After i gave everything a once-over and started her up, she started vibrating really bad. I mean the whole chassis was shaking. I tried to see how it drove, but didn't get far. It lags on power. And when u rev it up, when it settles to idle it nearly cuts out. I looked under the hood. The engine was shuddering and was idling roughly. I kept thinking,"fuel injector not firing""plug not sparking". I dunno the problem. All i kno is that it's vibrating waay too much.

Another observation: The cat converter was turning RED HOT. I mean, i've never seen something like that, except on a semi's turbocharger. So i shut it off, worried that i'd melt the oxygen sensors.

If anyone has some advice or expertise, i'd appreciate it.

FYI: I used Bosch's plug wire set 4 my car. And i used Bosch Platinum +4 plugs.

~bob

You probably mixed up the order of the spark plug wires. Simple mistake to make, and it will do exactly what you're describing.

-Doc

Nope, i made sure i did everything right. I even went so far as to take photos of how the wires were routed and installed before i did anything. I marked each plug terminal with its corresponding terminal on the distributor. And i replaced each wire one at a time, to make sure i didn't mix up the order.

I thought that too, but i checked the wires, reinstalled them, and rechecked them.

I still don't get it...

Check it again.

And then run your engine trouble codes. Also double-check that your MAP sensor didn't come unplugged or something.

This post has been edited by Dr_Tweak: Jan 2, 2006 - 5:14 AM

check your fuel filter also .. make sure it doesn't have a slow drip .. and also check you plugs ... make sure that the gap is set the right way ..

are all your spark plugs tightened down properly?

an air leak can cause vibration also.

I double-checked my wires. I checked my plugs, they're tightened down properly. I checked the vacuum hoses and couldn't find any leaks or disconnections. The area around the fuel filter is dry; no leaks.

I don't have the tools to check my trouble codes.

Could the plugs themselves be the problem? The way they're deisgned, they have 4 electrodes per plug. They come pre-gapped from the factory and there's no way for me to alter the gap.

Sounds like you did something wrong installing the spark plugs. Make sure you add some Silicone grease to the tips and some plug grease to the threads. Then reinstall them again. It could be bad connection to the plugs and the dizzy. Are u sure your fuel filter is working? It isn't leaking gas now is it?

PROBLEM SOLVED!!! I dunno why i noticed it before. Stubborn, i guess.

I looked in the repair manual for "firing order". I found a diagram showing the cylinder number corresponding with the distributor rotation for the 5sfe engine. Apparantly i DID get the wires switched between the #3 and #2 cylinders. I straightened it all out and it runs BEAUTIFULLY.

I feel like such a dumbass. But thank u guys so much! If u hadn't kept reminding me to check my wiring, i never would have noticed what i did wrong.

~bob

and another celica saved by the doc. ...

bboy

Ah, what can I say?

*bows*

man i have that problem right now, real bad idle at a stop and it shakes hard. Can you give the firing order? I really need it.

This post has been edited by sugarfree: Jan 3, 2006 - 10:20 AM

nvm, i found it.