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

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.

"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.

"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/

"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/

"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/

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.

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
>

"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...

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/