How can I check the spark plug wires?
Inspecting the Spark Plug Wires with the Engine Off. Look for physical damage to the wires or boots, such as cuts and scorch marks. Use a flashlight or an area with good lighting to perform a visual inspection of the spark plug wires and the cap on top of them, called the boot.
How do you remove a spark plug from a car?
Use an insulated tool to lift the wire off the plug, one at a time. Now the whole wire and the coil that supplies it is loaded. Use a jumper wire to ground an insulated screwdriver. Gently drag the screwdriver down the length of each spark plug wire, around the coil, and the boots.
What are the symptoms of a bad spark plug?
The most common symptoms include: Failed emissions tests due to elevated hydrocarbon emissions or a fault code indicating cylinder misfire Do a visual inspection while the engine is running. Sometimes you will be able to identify a problem just by looking over the engine. Look for electrical arcs around the spark plug wires.
Where are the spark plugs on a General Motors engine?
The placement of each spark plug wire on the distributor cap is directly correlated to the engines firing order. For example; a standard V-8 General Motors engine has eight individual cylinders. However, each cylinder fires (or reaches top dead center) at a specific time for optimal engine efficiency.
Inspecting the Spark Plug Wires with the Engine Off. Look for physical damage to the wires or boots, such as cuts and scorch marks. Use a flashlight or an area with good lighting to perform a visual inspection of the spark plug wires and the cap on top of them, called the boot.
What causes a spark plug wire to burn?
This causes an increase in the voltage required to fire the spark plug, which could damage the ignition coil as well as the spark plug wires. Heat damage – Engine heat can burn wire insulation and boots. A damaged boot can impede proper spark plug wire seating and performance.
Why do I need to replace my spark plug wire?
The following situations call for immediate replacement of spark plug wires: Vibration damage – Constant wear and tear caused by engine vibration can loosen the electrical connection at the spark plug. This causes an increase in the voltage required to fire the spark plug, which could damage the ignition coil as well as the spark plug wires.
What kind of voltage does a spark plug have?
It carries the high voltage (30k to 50k volts) produced by the ignition coil to the spark plug. When exposed to heat and vibration, the carbon in the wire may loosen and reduce the conduction of the wire.