Use a digital or analogue multimeter (or ohmmeter) to check if the resistance of each spark plug wire is within the manufacturers’ guidelines. Be careful not to touch the wires while the engine is running due to the risk of electric shocks from the high voltage.ģ. Perform a spark plug wire resistance test Turn the engine on and look for electrical arcs around the wires or listen for a snapping noise that might show a high-voltage electrical leak. If everything looks okay, put the wire back and move onto the next one. Damaged clips may allow wires to slip and not remain in the correct position. If you can’t see any physical damage, check the spring clips that hold the wires in the distributor cap. Clean each wire with a cloth and then look for physical damage like cuts and scorch marks on the wires or boots, carefully examine the insulation around the wire and look for corrosion between the boot (the end of the spark plug wire), the spark plug and coil. In a well-lit area, remove and visually inspect the spark plug wires one at a time. By doing this wire by wire, each wire will be reconnected to its corresponding cylinder, ensuring the firing order of the ignition system is correct so the engine will continue to run. When reconnecting the wire, make sure it is not too close to other electronics or to anything hot, like the exhaust. In other words, disconnect one wire, perform the test, reconnect it and continuing to the next wire. Digital or analogue multimeter or ohm meterįor these tests, it’s important to test each wire separately.
How to test your spark plug wiresīefore you start to test your spark plug wires, ensure you have the following tools: Luckily, this is an easy job that doesn’t take long. So, it’s a good idea to check your spark plug wires to see if they’re to blame. Unfortunately, faulty spark plug wires share their symptoms with many other engine components failing.
The boot protects the metal connectors from moisture, corrosion, oil and other contaminants. Additionally, wires need to be manufactured properly to comply exactly with OEM requirements and thus guarantee precise ignition, optimal engine performance, economical fuel consumption and suppression of EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference). To do this successfully, they need to be covered in thick insulation to prevent high voltages jumping off the wire before it reaches the spark plug and a rubber boot at each end. For more information visit plug wires deliver thousands of volts – up to 45.000V, depending on the application – to the spark plugs. These products may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. DO NOT Purchase the part(s) if you are intending to use it(them) on a Street/Highway vehicle(s). All parts are for used on a vehicle that will NEVER be used, or licensed, or registered for use upon a street and highway. DO NOT Purchase the part(s) if you are intending to use it(them) on a Street/Highway vehicle(s).Īll Products by Max-Redline are solely for Competition Vehicles(race vehicles) that are for Off-Road, Track Racing ONLY. All parts are for use on a vehicle that will NEVER be used, or licensed, or registered for use upon a street and highway. Product(s) listed here is(are) solely for Competition Vehicles(race vehicles) that are for Off-Road, Track Racing ONLY. It is illegal to sell, install, or offer for sale any aftermarket part that alters or modifies the original design or performance of the motor vehicle pollution control system.