Questions and Answers

Spark Leaking Out Q. Hope you can help 1995 Chevy S-10 Blazer 4.3 Vortec is skipping on number 3 cylinder. Have replaced EGR valve, spider injector, ignition coil, distributor cap, plugs, wires, rotor, and catalytic converter. No codes' showing on scans. There is one thing that's puzzling me, at night you can see sparks coming from ignition coil and coil wire and it looks like sparks coming from number 3 plug wire. Have already replaced ignition coil and wires, plugs, and distributor cap three times but still see sparks. Do you think this could be the reason it is skipping or could it be the ECU? It skips really badly at take off and going up hill. Have had it at local GM service center. They can't seem to find the problem. Your help would be gratefully appreciated.

A. This will indeed cause the engine to miss. Electricity will take the easiest path to ground and in the ignition system this easy path is not through the spark plugs.

GM has a very high energy ignition system and you need to be sure you use the right type of wires. You're probably using an aftermarket brand of wire that may not be of the right type or quality. You might want to go the the GM dealer and get a set of wires from them.