If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
spark plug wires: old but under 10kOhms
Hi,
I just check the spark plug wires on my newly purchased 1997 Civic: they are from 1997, probably the OEM wires, and they all measured under 10kOhms. I will also look tonight with the engine running to see if I notice any "sparks" around the wires, but I was wondering if I should replace those anyway. I am trying to make small (read cheap!) maintenace jobs, such as replacing the air filter, spark plugs, maybe the rotor and the cap, and all these are under $20, however the spark plug wire set is $47. If it is not absolutely necessary, I wouldn't replace them. What od you guys think? thanks |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Do not replace. Plug wires for the last 15+ years have a very long
life. You've measured resistance, it's fine. Too ofter people take perfectly good OEM parts out, put in aftermarket, and can't figure out why the great new part fails in a couple of years. This is one of those instances where OEM is best and will last. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
"Too ofter people take perfectly good OEM parts out ..."
Thanks, that's why I asked. I do not want to throw money down the drain if not necessary! As a side question, does anyone know why the resistance of these "wires" is so high? Notice that I put the word wire in between quotes. in DC, a normal wire of that length (let's say 30 cm) and that diameter (a few mm) should have 0 Ohms (well, 0.1 Ohms or so, most Digital MultiMeters would have trouble reading such a low resistance anyway). but now KiloOhms. Why?, I understand that the "resistance" of the spark plug is much higher, thus all the voltage drop will occur across the gap and the spark forms there, however a lower wire resistance will not hurt. The only thing I can think of (and remember, I am not Auto mechanic at all) is some soft of protection. Either to protect the coil, or perhaps the auto mechanic? if the resistance of the wire was small, the current would be higher, and possibly deadly? Wait a minute, that doesn't work, what if I unplug the wire right from the distributor and I put a nail in there, then the voltage there is much higher, the resistance of the nail is virtually zero and very dangerous for me. |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
"chibitul" > wrote in
oups.com: > Hi, > > I just check the spark plug wires on my newly purchased 1997 Civic: > they are from 1997, probably the OEM wires, and they all measured under > 10kOhms. I will also look tonight with the engine running to see if I > notice any "sparks" around the wires, but I was wondering if I should > replace those anyway. You won't see the blue light show unless the wires are extremely bad. The wires' resistance is fine, but after that age, the insulation begins breaking down and current starts leaking off to ground before the plugs, especially in the wet. Replace them with OEM, along with the cap, rotor and plugs. Yes, it's expensive, but how much do you value reliability and peace of mind? -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
"chibitul" > wrote in
oups.com: > > As a side question, does anyone know why the resistance of these > "wires" is so high? To protect the coil. http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/badsecondary/index.html -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
"chibitul" > wrote in
oups.com: > "Too ofter people take perfectly good OEM parts out ..." > > Thanks, that's why I asked. I do not want to throw money down the drain > if not necessary! > > As a side question, does anyone know why the resistance of these > "wires" is so high? Might also have to do with RF emissions, rather than protecting the coil. -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
TeGGeR® wrote:
> "chibitul" > wrote in > oups.com: > > >>"Too ofter people take perfectly good OEM parts out ..." >> >>Thanks, that's why I asked. I do not want to throw money down the drain >>if not necessary! >> >>As a side question, does anyone know why the resistance of these >>"wires" is so high? > > > > > Might also have to do with RF emissions, rather than protecting the coil. > > it /is/ to do with rf emissions. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Sometimes I spray the wires down with a spray bottle. If the car starts
missing: replace. I have also been known to touch the wires and feel for the current. Get Zapped: replace -- Stephen W. Hansen ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician ASE Undercar Specialist "chibitul" > wrote in message oups.com... > Hi, > > I just check the spark plug wires on my newly purchased 1997 Civic: > they are from 1997, probably the OEM wires, and they all measured under > 10kOhms. I will also look tonight with the engine running to see if I > notice any "sparks" around the wires, but I was wondering if I should > replace those anyway. I am trying to make small (read cheap!) > maintenace jobs, such as replacing the air filter, spark plugs, maybe > the rotor and the cap, and all these are under $20, however the spark > plug wire set is $47. If it is not absolutely necessary, I wouldn't > replace them. > > What od you guys think? > > thanks > |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
"Steve H" > wrote
> Sometimes I spray the wires down with a spray bottle. If the car starts > missing: replace. I have also been known to touch the wires and feel for the > current. Get Zapped: replace > > > -- > Stephen W. Hansen > ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician > ASE Undercar Specialist After the above statement, do you really want to advertise your "credentials"? Oh never mind. The life of men... |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
jim beam > wrote in
: > TeGGeR® wrote: >> "chibitul" > wrote in >> oups.com: >> >> >>>"Too ofter people take perfectly good OEM parts out ..." >>> >>>Thanks, that's why I asked. I do not want to throw money down the >>>drain if not necessary! >>> >>>As a side question, does anyone know why the resistance of these >>>"wires" is so high? >> >> >> >> >> Might also have to do with RF emissions, rather than protecting the >> coil. >> >> > it /is/ to do with rf emissions. > > Then is the rotor's resistor there for the same reason? -- TeGGeR® The Unofficial Honda/Acura FAQ www.tegger.com/hondafaq/ |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
removing stripped spark plug - suggestions? | pws | Mazda | 16 | April 18th 05 11:17 PM |
Do spark plug wires really need to be changed at 60,000 miles? | Aaron | Honda | 17 | January 10th 05 01:38 PM |
Spark plug wires - allowable resistance | [email protected] | Technology | 1 | December 22nd 04 08:46 PM |
2002 Neon Spark Plug Wires | Blair Conrad | Chrysler | 14 | November 17th 04 07:09 PM |