Just replaced plugs and wires and smell a bad electrical-like burning smell

Asked by GuruCRSLD Mar 03, 2019 at 11:15 PM about the 2002 Pontiac Bonneville SE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I just put new spark plug and wires on my 2002
Pontiac Bonneville 3.8L & I smell a burning smell
that mimicks electrical wires burning.
I did make sure that I put the wires on the exact
way I took them off & I double checked the plugs &
wires were correct item #'s. Any suggestions?

4 Answers

They came pre gapped so I didn't check gap. The car starts fine, idles at 1,100 RPM (or so) steadily, no hiccups, etc. I checked wires and I didn't see any wires on exhausted system. It was very cold today so I have two old wires still on that I'm going to do tomorrow (I wouldn't think that would be the culprit though). Thanks.

The culprit was one of the wires were slightly against the engine & hence the smell. Readjusted wire & it runs great! Looks like the previous owner didn't check plugs in a while lol.

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