Signs of Problematic Car Spark Plug Wires & How to Overcome Them
Does your car's spark plug wire often have problems? Well, this time we will present information about the signs of problematic car spark plug wires and how to address them. Stay tuned until the end, okay!
Having a car with optimal engine performance is every driver's dream. To keep your car's performance in prime condition, you must always pay attention to the condition of the ignition system components such as spark plugs and spark plug wires.
The function of spark plugs in cars can be said to be important, but this component cannot work well if the spark plug wires are problematic. Spark plug wires play a crucial role in transmitting electrical flow from the coil (which is obtained from the engine's combustion) to the car's spark plugs. The spark generated by the spark plugs in the engine's combustion chamber is perfect.
Therefore, you need to know the signs of problematic car spark plug wires along with how to address them. Here are the details.
Read Also: The Bad Effects of Rarely Opening Car Spark Plugs
Signs of Problematic Car Spark Plug Wires
What are the signs that the spark plugs need to be replaced? There are several signs of problems with the spark plug wires. Common issues with spark plug wires include wire leaks caused by poor material quality, incorrect diameter size, improper installation, and infrequent car maintenance.
Here are the signs of problematic car spark plug wires:
- When starting the car, the engine has difficulty starting.
- The temperature in the spark plug wire area becomes hotter.
- Sparks are repeatedly emitted inside the car engine (at frequent intervals).
How to Address Problematic Car Spark Plug Wires
After knowing some symptoms of damaged car spark plugs, here are some ways to address problematic car spark plug wires:
1. Check the Cabin Interior
The first step is to check the cabin area to see if the car is experiencing storing (a high-pitched humming sound caused by a damaged cabin speaker) before replacing the spark plug wires.
2. Measure the Wires Using a Multitester
To determine the damage occurring in the spark plug wires, you need to know the resistance value of the wires.
Damaged components are usually indicated by the highest resistance value during testing. Here are the steps to measure the ohm meter (resistance) of the spark plug wires using a multitester.
- Remove the first wire
- Place the positive and negative probes on each end of the wire
- Record the resistance value of the wire you have measured (the standard resistance value for spark plug wires usually reaches 8 Kilo (ohm) per meter for each spark plug wire with a length of 50 cm).
- If the resistance value is less than the standard value (for a wire with a length of 50 cm), then test the next wire.
Immediately replace the spark plug wire with a new one if there is a wire leak after conducting the resistance measurement process.
3. Seal Leaks with Insulator
When you discover a leak in the spark plug wire, you can use insulation or heat-resistant insulator as an adhesive to seal the leak. You can easily identify a spark plug wire leak by opening the hood and observing the comparison of oxygen and carbon gas (engine emissions).
Read Also: Iridium Spark Plugs vs Regular Spark Plugs, Here's the Difference!
Effects of Problematic and Frequently Leaking Spark Plug Wires
What happens if the spark plug wires are damaged? If you do not immediately address the damage to the car's spark plug wires, you will experience the effects of leaking spark plug wires as follows:
- Cracked spark plug ceramic.
- Causing a short circuit so that the electrical flow cannot reach the spark plugs.
- Engine performance becomes less optimal due to disrupted idling.
Seeing some of the negative impacts above, you certainly do not want that to happen to you. Make sure you regularly check the condition of your car's spark plug wires. Replace them immediately if damage occurs. Replace with original products. You can buy them at the nearest Daihatsu dealer or reputable auto parts store.