# I think I found the miss **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** chevrolet, silverado1500\ **Created:** [June 14, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196 "2018-06-14T01:16:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/1 "2018-06-14T01:16:33Z")
2007 Chevrolet Silverado Classic 1500, 5.3 engine, 210k miles. I thought I was feeling a slight miss in the engine. When I stopped for gas, I opened the hood to check the oil and noticed this, the # 5 spark plug wire was up against the bolt on the steering column. I rotated the wire at the boot 180 degrees to get it off the bolt. The insulation is definitely worn down where it touched. No CEL or codes. ![Sparkplug%20wire%20on%20steering%20column](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/e/ebc93a3aa33d4d54abbfb29a182494893d21f29b.JPG) ![spark%20plug%20wire%20moved](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/2X/2/2712d3807603fbaf487867e1171c3da4d12db2a9.JPG) ---
**Author:** ![SteveCBT](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevecbt/32/3192_2.png) [@SteveCBT](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveCBT)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/2 "2018-06-14T02:07:53Z")
Good work finding it. It feels good to find a clear reason for a problem and fixing it. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/3 "2018-06-14T02:26:53Z")
Definitely good diagnostic work there. I had a similar problem on my 45+ year old Ford truck last summer. The problem was the transmission shift lever was hitting the wire, thinning the insulation over time. I just wrapped the bad spot in several layers of Scotch 33+ electrical tape, which fixed the slight miss straight away. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/4 "2018-06-14T03:34:57Z")
Yeah I had that happen too but touching a different part. ---
**Author:** ![BillRussell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/billrussell/32/3179_2.png) [@BillRussell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BillRussell)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 3:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/5 "2018-06-14T15:00:22Z")
yeah, good work. But either replace the wire or wrap it with good electrical tape. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 4:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/6 "2018-06-14T16:47:03Z")
Nice logical work, starting with the basics, with an eye for detail. Gus Wilson hires guys like you! Thanks for reporting your results. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 6:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/7 "2018-06-14T18:46:51Z")
If the spark was arcing to the steering column then you really need to consider the spark plug condition. An aged plug or one with a large plug gap can cause an arc where there might normally not be one. ---
**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/8 "2018-06-14T19:04:43Z")
That’s a good point but it appears the constant abrasion from the rotating steering shaft bolt wore away some of the insulation… ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:43pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/9 "2018-06-14T21:43:05Z")
Agree, since the truck is new to me, I plan on doing all maintenance items since it didn’t come with a maintenance history. ---
**Author:** ![keith](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/keith/32/5518_2.png) [@keith](https://community.cartalk.com/u/keith)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 9:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/10 "2018-06-14T21:47:40Z")
Only the outermost part of the jacket is worn. I was thinking of just replacing the wire or wires when I do the plugs but that alone won’t solve the problem. I have some loom jacket that is just slightly larger than the wire and am thinking of getting a tube of RTV silicone. I’ll wrap a section of the loom, about 4" in the area abraided and fill the space between the wire and the loom jacket with the RTV. I can hold it in a straight line for awhile, or put a temp brace on it and when it cures, the wire should stay well away from the steering column then. I’ll post a pic when I get it done. ---
**Author:** ![wolyrobb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wolyrobb/32/45497_2.png) [@wolyrobb](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wolyrobb)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 11:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/i-think-i-found-the-miss/119196/11 "2018-06-14T23:08:43Z")
We had a technician wrap one plug wire with electrical tape, the miss fire driving home turned onto being down a cylinder the next time the car was started, 3 out of 4 cylinders on a 1990 Mazda protoge doesn’t sound that great We got a new set of wires for free the next day.