What do you need to know about spark plug wires?
What do you need to know about spark plug wires?
Consult your owners’ manual to see if your spark plug wires are routed properly. This is important as cross coupling can create an energy drain, which will lower performance. It is important to route the spark plug wires so that they do not come in direct contact with engine hot part such as exhaust manifold.
Are there still spark plugs in newer cars?
Some later models have an ignition system without a distributor, but they still have traditional spark plug wires. Depending on automaker, those harnesses started to disappear in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Newer vehicles have a coil-on-plug ignition system that eliminates electrical problems caused by worn-out spark plug wires.
How do you connect a spark plug to a coil?
Step 9: Place the spark plug wire firmly into the same wire clips and lock them in place. Step 10: Push the spark plug wire onto the spark plug until you feel it snap into place. Step 11: Push the spark plug wire onto the coil or distributor cap. Again, you should feel it snap into place.
What happens if a spark plug goes bad?
However, spark plug wires work in a harsh environment, so no matter how well they are constructed, they can fail leaving the spark plugs with a weak spark or no spark at all. Failing spark plug wires can cause: Possible malfunction of onboard electronics such as Radio and GPS.
Some later models have an ignition system without a distributor, but they still have traditional spark plug wires. Depending on automaker, those harnesses started to disappear in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Newer vehicles have a coil-on-plug ignition system that eliminates electrical problems caused by worn-out spark plug wires.
What to do if your spark plug is bad?
Check the fuel system and/or stark timing. Weak sparks are orange or red and may be hard to see in daylight. If you did not see a spark, remove the coil wire from the distributor cap. Attach the spark tester to the distributor end of the coil wire. Crack the engine and check for a good spark at the spark tester.
When do you need to check spark plug wires?
Whether you do a complete tune-up or only change the spark plugs, spark plug wires (also known as ignition cables) should always be checked first. This is necessary due to the aging of the spark plug wires from exposure to extreme temperatures (hot and cold), engine chemicals (oil, grease, coolant, etc.) and electrical stresses.
What’s the difference between a spark plug and a wire?
If you look at the photo below, you can see a little spring clip that extends into the hole. When you slide a plug wire end like this over the bare threaded tip of the spark plug, you can feel that clip as it slides down over the ridges of the threads, leaving no doubt that you have it on.
