testing plug wires?

weagle · 05-12-2001, 05:27 PM

Can spark plug wires be tested using a meter? Will a wire respond on a continuity check. what is the best way to check the spark plug wire?

Capri306 · 05-12-2001, 06:34 PM

You can do a resistance check to get an idea of whether they're broken or not. Most wires will register 5k-8kohms PER FOOT. The test I like to do is to put them on a car with a good ignition system, start it up at night, and then spray a mist of water over them and see if little lightning bolts go everywhere. If you see sparks, the wires can be considered bad. I usually change my wires every couple of years just to be on the safe side, though. People who drive with lifetime warrantied wires are sometimes missing the point: yes they are warranted against defects for as long as you own your vehicle, but that doesn't mean the wires are gonna be fine forever!

------------------
Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online
1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73
1987 Mustang LX Notch

[This message has been edited by Capri306 (edited 05-12-2001).]

weagle · 05-12-2001, 07:49 PM

Thanks, My 89GT had began to idle rough. It has 81000 miles on it and had never given any trouble. The plugs look great and the wires were one thing I wanted to check because they are the ones that came one the car. It's kind of strange because it ran 8.95 in the 1/8 which is as good as any other run.

05-12-2001, 05:27 PM	#1
weagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: northwest fl Posts: 14	testing plug wires? Can spark plug wires be tested using a meter? Will a wire respond on a continuity check. what is the best way to check the spark plug wire?

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05-12-2001, 06:34 PM	#2
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	You can do a resistance check to get an idea of whether they're broken or not. Most wires will register 5k-8kohms PER FOOT. The test I like to do is to put them on a car with a good ignition system, start it up at night, and then spray a mist of water over them and see if little lightning bolts go everywhere. If you see sparks, the wires can be considered bad. I usually change my wires every couple of years just to be on the safe side, though. People who drive with lifetime warrantied wires are sometimes missing the point: yes they are warranted against defects for as long as you own your vehicle, but that doesn't mean the wires are gonna be fine forever! ------------------ Capri306, Moderator, The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri, 5.0L -- C4 -- 2.73 1987 Mustang LX Notch [This message has been edited by Capri306 (edited 05-12-2001).]

05-12-2001, 07:49 PM	#3
weagle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: northwest fl Posts: 14	Thanks, My 89GT had began to idle rough. It has 81000 miles on it and had never given any trouble. The plugs look great and the wires were one thing I wanted to check because they are the ones that came one the car. It's kind of strange because it ran 8.95 in the 1/8 which is as good as any other run.