What are spark plug wires?
Spark plug wires are conduits for the transfer of high voltage electricity from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. Most vehicles typically have four to eight spark plug wires connected to the ignition distributor cap.
How do spark plug wires work?
The distributor rotor receives the high voltage electricity from the ignition coil wire, and sends it through the distributor through an electrode on the tip of the rotor. As the rotor spins, electrical power is transferred from the rotor to individual electrodes inside the distributor cap. Once that high voltage reaches the distributor cap, the corresponding spark plug wire will carry that high voltage to the spark plug terminal. This action is timed for the moment the cylinder needs the spark plug to fire, and the sequence creates a combustion event inside the engine.
Oil or coolant leaks can damage ignition wires. To prevent reoccurring problems, the leaks will need to be repaired along with the ignition wires.
Failing ignition wires can cause the engine to run roughly or a lack of power upon acceleration.The Check Engine Light will often flash when the engine is misfiring—continuing to drive under these conditions can damage the catalytic converter.
What are the symptoms related to a bad spark plug wire?
A failing ignition wire set will create misfires in the engine, and lead to hesitation, extreme power loss, engine stalling, poor fuel mileage, and illumination of the check engine light. The on-board diagnostics (OBD) trouble codes stored in the vehicle's computer will reflect engine misfires, catalyst inefficiency, and O2 sensor related errors. Under the hood there may be audible arching, that sounds like a rubber band snapping, coming from the ignition coil, distributor, or spark plug ends of any of the spark plug wires. Lastly, the ignition distributor cap and rotor may look burned, wet, corroded, or covered in a powder residue, and the spark plug wires may be cracked or degraded.
Can I drive with a spark plug wire problem?
Ignition system components cause many problems when they fail, normally making the vehicle unpleasant or
impossible to drive. Also, the amount of unburned fuel going into the catalyst could cause the catalyst to fail, requiring replacement. With severe ignition problems, the vehicle should be towed to a repair facility.
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How often do spark plug wires need to be replaced?
The ignition wire set is a normal maintenance item, and the replacement schedule is listed in the owner's manual. If the ignition wires, or "spark plug" wires, wear out before the specified mileage, they must be replaced early. When not specified by the manufacturer, the average set of spark plug wires last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles, depending on application and operating environment.
How are spark plug wire issues diagnosed?
Diagnosing any of the symptoms mentioned, for a distributor type ignition system, will normally being by checking all ignition components for abnormal conditions that may be indicative of failure. If nothing is found, the spark plug wires, distributor cap and rotor, and spark plugs, more or less in that order, will be removed, inspected, and diagnosed. If the spark plug wires are too resistant to electricity, the spark plugs are worn or fouled, or the distributor and rotor are worn, corroded, or oil fouled, those components would be diagnosed as faulty.
How are spark plug wire sets replaced?
If the spark plug wires are being changed, the distributor and rotor will be changed, unless they have been changed according to scheduled maintenance intervals, or they appear to have service life remaining. Likewise, and with the same exceptions, if the distributor cap and rotor will be replaced, the spark plug wires will be replaced as well. The spark plug wires will be marked for their location, and the new spark plug wires will be assembled with the spark plugs and ignition distributor cap using those markings. After the ignition distributor rotor is popped into place, the distributor cap will be installed, and the spark plug wires attached to mounting hardware.
Ignition wire failure can be caused by failures elsewhere in the ignition system. The ignition coils and spark plugs should be thoroughly inspected and tested.