Coil wire replacing dumb question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Coil wire replacing dumb question
I want to change the coil-to-opti ignition wire in my 95 and was wondering if anyone has a slick trick to grab the end that plugs into the opti. It is really tight for hands and fingers to try and grab the boot, and also seems awkward for spark plug wire pliers. Is there some easy trick to remove and then install this wire?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: langhorne
The trick to changing wires on cars with the opti is patience and a couple of hours time. If your gonna do the coil wire ya might as well do them all. I replaced mine with MSD's Take off the surpentine belt and tensioner and carefuly feed the wires thru. You have to be careful to place them exactly the way the GM sado-masochists designed and installed them. Make sure you get them all the way on the opti (it's hard to get ANY leverage) Don't pinch the vent tube from the opti when you put the tensioner back on. HAVE FUN! 
You'll proly need a few beers when yer done! Oh ya and bandaids. 
You'll proly need a few beers when yer done! Oh ya and bandaids.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by DougSilver
I want to change the coil-to-opti ignition wire in my 95 and was wondering if anyone has a slick trick to grab the end that plugs into the opti. It is really tight for hands and fingers to try and grab the boot, and also seems awkward for spark plug wire pliers. Is there some easy trick to remove and then install this wire?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
I was thinking of trying a piece of heater hose--slit so I could slide over the boot and then pull the wire out. I appreciate the advice about changing all the wires but first wanted to try the coil wire as I kept finding a powdery green corrosion on the end that plugs into the coil. I replaced the coil the other day and the car runs better (but still misses) so I next want to replace this wire as something seems suspicious, at least with the end that went to the coil.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 2
Originally Posted by DougSilver
I was thinking of trying a piece of heater hose--slit so I could slide over the boot and then pull the wire out. I appreciate the advice about changing all the wires but first wanted to try the coil wire as I kept finding a powdery green corrosion on the end that plugs into the coil. I replaced the coil the other day and the car runs better (but still misses) so I next want to replace this wire as something seems suspicious, at least with the end that went to the coil.
On the Opti end, you looking for two clicks. Second click indicates it's on and securely engaged.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
I bought a tool (I think it was at Autozone) that has an adjustable tip (the tip looks like a red duck bill) that can be adjusted for different angles made specifically for installing and removing spark plug wires.
The tip is long enough to use to pull on the boot instead of the wire and also to put the pressure on the boot to install it.
Worked for me.
Or, you could buy a Delteq and not use the spark plug wires on the Opti-Spark.
Tom Piper
The tip is long enough to use to pull on the boot instead of the wire and also to put the pressure on the boot to install it.
Worked for me.
Or, you could buy a Delteq and not use the spark plug wires on the Opti-Spark.
Tom Piper
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
I saw that type of tool at Pep Boys and almost bought it, but it still looked like it might be difficult to get the tool into the congested area around this wire. I began thinking about the Delteq but am not totally convinced that opti is the problem. I suspect (hope) it is something simpler like bad or badly seated wires or tired plugs. Spending $600+ dollars seems expensive just to accomplish a more convenient way to route plug wires (again assuming that the opti is basically okay).
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
When I replaced the original wires on my 92 with MSD Heli-Coil's, I had no problem in getting the coil wire off the Opti. It's important to twist the wire at least a 1/4 turn to get it to release. You should hear the click when it turns to where it will release.
When I installed the MSD coil wire, I used a good coating of dielectric grease on the inside of the boot and it went in easily and clicked into place.
When I installed the MSD coil wire, I used a good coating of dielectric grease on the inside of the boot and it went in easily and clicked into place.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 0
From: royal palm beach florida
Originally Posted by Gar
The trick to changing wires on cars with the opti is patience and a couple of hours time. If your gonna do the coil wire ya might as well do them all. I replaced mine with MSD's Take off the surpentine belt and tensioner and carefuly feed the wires thru. You have to be careful to place them exactly the way the GM sado-masochists designed and installed them. Make sure you get them all the way on the opti (it's hard to get ANY leverage) Don't pinch the vent tube from the opti when you put the tensioner back on. HAVE FUN! You'll proly need a few beers when yer done! Oh ya and bandaids.
You'll proly need a few beers when yer done! Oh ya and bandaids.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 3
From: Encino CA
Originally Posted by pwrful c4
I used plenty bandaids.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 4
From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by DougSilver
I saw that type of tool at Pep Boys and almost bought it, but it still looked like it might be difficult to get the tool into the congested area around this wire.
http://store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/0246-lis51750.html
I used it in that congested area, and it worked for me.
Tom Piper
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
Originally Posted by Tom Piper
This is the tool:
http://store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/0246-lis51750.html
I used it in that congested area, and it worked for me.
Tom Piper
http://store.yahoo.com/brandsplace/0246-lis51750.html
I used it in that congested area, and it worked for me.
Tom Piper
Harbor Freight for about the same price.
