Can't get the spark wire seated all the way down on the #3 spark plug port on a 98 Camry. Is it possible that the connector came off the old wire and is still on the spark plug, It is difficult

Probably not seated well on the plug. When you push the plug wire boot over the plug, you have to make sure the wire end terminal's ring end snaps onto the spark plug. It is not connected tight until you hear the wire's end terminal snap or click onto the tip of the spark plug. If you can't hear the snap, the end of the wire may not be seating onto the spark plug tip. Push the boot back away from the spark plug wire end to investigate-the boots can get very stubborn with age-keep twisting it and pushing it till you get it moving back from end of wire. Examine the metal end tip of wire-trey to snap a spark plug down onto it now-if there is a problem with the end terminals you will see it-it may be too big to snap over the spark plug tip and hold securely, or if the ends are bent, use pliers to straighten them out. If these are aftermarket spark plug wires, the end terminals may be too small to go over the spark plug tip. You would then need a new set of spark plug wires.

I suspect you just have not pushed the wires down far enough to seat them on the plugs-push the wires onto the plugs until you hear them snap or click. Then they are seated firmly, and should not be popping off.

That's a symptom of a vacuum leak or an air duct leak between the air filter box and throttle.

Check this SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT - REMOVAL PROCEDURE



1. Remove the ignition coils (lines at end this document), then return here once you have gotten the Coil
Packs off and precede with step 2 from here.
2. Clean the spark plug recesses with low pressure air. CAUTION: Wear safety glasses
when using compressed air, as flying dirt particles may cause eye injury. NOTE:
Clean the spark plug recess area before removing the spark plug. Failure to do so could
result in engine damage because of dirt or foreign material entering the cylinder head, or
by the contamination of the cylinder head threads. The contaminated threads may prevent
the proper seating of the new plug. Use a thread chaser to clean the threads of any
contamination.
3. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinder head. NOTE: Allow the engine to cool before
removing the spark plugs. Attempting to remove the spark plugs from a hot engine may
cause the plug threads to seize, causing damage to cylinder head threads.
4. Inspect the spark plugs.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE



1. Measure the spark plug gap on the spark plugs to be installed. Compare the measurement
to the gap specifications. NOTE:
• Use only the spark plugs specified for use in the vehicle. Do not install spark
plugs that are either hotter or colder than those specified for the vehicle. Installing
spark plugs of another type can severely damage the engine.
• Check the gap of all new and reconditioned spark plugs before installation. The
pre-set gaps may have changed during handling. Use a round feeler gage to ensure
an accurate check. Installing the spark plugs with the wrong gap can cause poor
engine performance and may even damage the engine.
2. Install the spark plugs to the cylinder head. NOTE:
• Be sure that the spark plug threads smoothly into the cylinder head and the spark
plug is fully seated. Use a thread chaser, if necessary, to clean threads in the
cylinder head. Cross-threading or failing to fully seat the spark plug can cause
overheating of the plug, exhaust blow-by, or thread damage.
• Refer to Component Fastener Tightening Notice in Service Precautions.
Tighten the spark plugs to 18 N.m (13 lb ft).
3. Install the ignition coils.

IGNITION COIL(S) REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Remove the air cleaner resonator and outlet duct.
2. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connector (1) from the oil pressure sensor (2).
3. Disconnect the engine wiring harness retainers (1) from the power steering pump (2).
4. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors (1, 4) from the following:
• The exhaust camshaft position (CMP) sensor (5)
• The camshaft position (CMP) actuator solenoid valve (6)
5. Disconnect the engine wiring harness retainer (2) from the camshaft cover (3).
6. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors from the following:
• The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor (1)
• The fuel injector harness (2)
• The ignition coils (4)
• The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) (5)
7. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connector from the intake camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
8. Carefully disengage the engine wiring harness conduit from the camshaft cover, and position aside.
9. Remove the ignition coil bolts.
10. Remove the ignition coils from the camshaft cover.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Install the ignition coils into the camshaft cover. IMPORTANT: Ensure the ignition coil seals are properly seated to the camshaft cover.
2. Install the ignition coil bolts. NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions. Tighten the ignition coil bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
3. Attach the engine wiring harness conduit to the camshaft cover.
4. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connector to the intake CMP sensor.
5. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors to the following:
• The ECT sensor (1)
• The fuel injector harness (2)
• The ignition coils (4)
• The HO2S (5)
6. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors (1, 4) to the following:
• The exhaust CMP sensor (5)
• The CMP actuator solenoid valve (6)
7. Connect the engine wiring harness retainer (2) to the camshaft cover (3).
8. Connect the engine wiring harness retainers (1) to the power steering pump (2).
9. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connector (1) to the oil pressure sensor (2).
10. Install the air cleaner resonator and outlet duct.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day.

SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT - REMOVAL PROCEDURE



1. Remove the ignition coils (lines at end this document), then return here once you have gotten the Coil
Packs off and precede with step 2 from here.
2. Clean the spark plug recesses with low pressure air. CAUTION: Wear safety glasses
when using compressed air, as flying dirt particles may cause eye injury. NOTE:
Clean the spark plug recess area before removing the spark plug. Failure to do so could
result in engine damage because of dirt or foreign material entering the cylinder head, or
by the contamination of the cylinder head threads. The contaminated threads may prevent
the proper seating of the new plug. Use a thread chaser to clean the threads of any
contamination.
3. Remove the spark plugs from the cylinder head. NOTE: Allow the engine to cool before
removing the spark plugs. Attempting to remove the spark plugs from a hot engine may
cause the plug threads to seize, causing damage to cylinder head threads.
4. Inspect the spark plugs.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE



1. Measure the spark plug gap on the spark plugs to be installed. Compare the measurement
to the gap specifications. NOTE:
• Use only the spark plugs specified for use in the vehicle. Do not install spark
plugs that are either hotter or colder than those specified for the vehicle. Installing
spark plugs of another type can severely damage the engine.
• Check the gap of all new and reconditioned spark plugs before installation. The
pre-set gaps may have changed during handling. Use a round feeler gage to ensure
an accurate check. Installing the spark plugs with the wrong gap can cause poor
engine performance and may even damage the engine.
2. Install the spark plugs to the cylinder head. NOTE:
• Be sure that the spark plug threads smoothly into the cylinder head and the spark
plug is fully seated. Use a thread chaser, if necessary, to clean threads in the
cylinder head. Cross-threading or failing to fully seat the spark plug can cause
overheating of the plug, exhaust blow-by, or thread damage.
• Refer to Component Fastener Tightening Notice in Service Precautions.
Tighten the spark plugs to 18 N.m (13 lb ft).
3. Install the ignition coils.

IGNITION COIL(S) REPLACEMENT
REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Remove the air cleaner resonator and outlet duct.
2. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connector (1) from the oil pressure sensor (2).
3. Disconnect the engine wiring harness retainers (1) from the power steering pump (2).
4. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors (1, 4) from the following:
• The exhaust camshaft position (CMP) sensor (5)
• The camshaft position (CMP) actuator solenoid valve (6)
5. Disconnect the engine wiring harness retainer (2) from the camshaft cover (3).
6. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors from the following:
• The engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor (1)
• The fuel injector harness (2)
• The ignition coils (4)
• The heated oxygen sensor (HO2S) (5)
7. Disconnect the engine wiring harness electrical connector from the intake camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
8. Carefully disengage the engine wiring harness conduit from the camshaft cover, and position aside.
9. Remove the ignition coil bolts.
10. Remove the ignition coils from the camshaft cover.

INSTALLATION PROCEDURE
1. Install the ignition coils into the camshaft cover. IMPORTANT: Ensure the ignition coil seals are properly seated to the camshaft cover.
2. Install the ignition coil bolts. NOTE: Refer to Fastener Notice in Service Precautions. Tighten the ignition coil bolts to 10 N.m (89 lb in).
3. Attach the engine wiring harness conduit to the camshaft cover.
4. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connector to the intake CMP sensor.
5. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors to the following:
• The ECT sensor (1)
• The fuel injector harness (2)
• The ignition coils (4)
• The HO2S (5)
6. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connectors (1, 4) to the following:
• The exhaust CMP sensor (5)
• The CMP actuator solenoid valve (6)
7. Connect the engine wiring harness retainer (2) to the camshaft cover (3).
8. Connect the engine wiring harness retainers (1) to the power steering pump (2).
9. Connect the engine wiring harness electrical connector (1) to the oil pressure sensor (2).
10. Install the air cleaner resonator and outlet duct.

Hope this helps; also keep in mind that your feedback is important and I`ll appreciate your time and consideration if you leave some testimonial comment about this answer.

Thank you for using FixYa, have a nice day.

is the check engine light on ,can you check the computer for error codes ,it is a 4 cylinder engine? any wire that goes to the computer can make damage to that unit, check for codes and let me know, i can direct you to fix you car (anyway computer is not expensive you can get it at ebay for less than $80.00 (and is plug and play not need to be reprogramed) check the codes first

Cylinder #2 is the the second spark plug counting from the right to left.
EX.Below are spark plug on engine
engine
-------------------------------
' (oil cap) '
' (4) (3) (2) (1) '
'_________________'

Your misfire can be cause by couple of things but the cheapest way that you can try to fix your car is to do a tune up by replacing:
1)all spark plugs
2)do a oil change
3)spark plug wires
3)distributor cap and rotor

note misfire can be cause by:
1.bad gas
2.spark plug and/or wire
3.distributor cap and/or rotor
4.valve adjustment
5.injector
6.off timing
7.ECM
8.bad wiring(power, ground or feed line)

Did you look under the hood? YES it has spark plug wires!

the spark plugs are located on either side next to the intake manifold you will need to remove the coils to get to them

fuel and spark are great but are you getting air? sounds to me if u did a head job possible that cam sensor could be the issue or possible mass air as well i would check those compnents but also check basic starting compnents as well plugs wires ignition start batter connectors and air

unplug ecm connector engine control module has faulty connectors due to pins I recommend to unplug and plug connector and try to start, module is located under passenger front seat frontal foot area you need to remove a cover before you do the actual disconnection touch the door striker to rid your
self of static electricity. also check relays for fuel pump and ecm power on right side of engine compartment (as you would sit on
driver seat) (buy kia relays) and for danerl p possible faulty ignition
coils and spark plugs due to arking, replaced spark plugs wires too, check valve cover for leaking oil into spark plugs possible codes po300 -po304 set .