checking spark plug wires
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 405
From: Portland OR
You need to make GOOD contact inside the boots when using a DMM. Alligator clips work pretty well.
Resistance will be close for all of them.
It is the outlier you are looking for.
Also, you need to bend them around a bit while checking...not a whole lot, like 90 degrees or anything, just a bit. They can become intermittant.
Ron
Resistance will be close for all of them.
It is the outlier you are looking for.
Also, you need to bend them around a bit while checking...not a whole lot, like 90 degrees or anything, just a bit. They can become intermittant.
Ron
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The resistance spec for your wires is 250-750 OHMS. Most will ohm out around 300-500 ohms.
Make sure that the metal terminals inside the boot ends are not corroded or burnt and the wire jackets and boots are not burnt or cracked.
BC
Make sure that the metal terminals inside the boot ends are not corroded or burnt and the wire jackets and boots are not burnt or cracked.
BC
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
When your running high frequency high voltage thru a wire,,, resistance of the wire doesnt matter too much if any!
The voltage flows on the outside of the conductor (Skin Effect).
BC
The voltage flows on the outside of the conductor (Skin Effect).
BC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,507
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
If you are concerned about spark plug wire resistance, run down to the speed shop and get some super whamodyne solid copper spark plug wire. Then it will read ZERO resistance.
Your PCM and radio will not be happy but, you will have the lowest spark plug wire resistance of any of us!
Your PCM and radio will not be happy but, you will have the lowest spark plug wire resistance of any of us!
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Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
if they're really really really bad, they'll glow at night. it looks like something out of a movie - put it in a dark garage and rev it, and you'll see them light up blue. only had one set get so bad they'd do this, and it wasnt on a c5, but its possible.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,302
Likes: 1,583
From: Western NY
Not to sound like a pompous ***, but given how easy the LS wires are to change, and how (relatively) inexpensive a set can be, I'd just replace them, if there's ANY question on their condition....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Magnicors are also excellent wires. I purchased my magnacores waaaaaaaaaaay back in 2000 for my 98 coupe. When I sold the car, I put the OEM wires back on the 98 and put the magnicores on my 02Z. The magnacores are STILL going. They were expensive but lasted a LONG LONG time!
I have a set of the GM Performance red wires to replace them because you can not best the price and quality.
I have a set of the GM Performance red wires to replace them because you can not best the price and quality.