Things You Should Know About Car Ignition Wires

Ignition wires, interchangeably known as ‘spark plug wires’ are an integral part of the ignition system. These transfer high voltage impulses between the voltage source, distributor, and spark plugs.

These help the spark plug to ignite the fuel-air mixture, which allows the vehicle to start. In this article, you can find out about the various ignition wires, how they function, and issues that may arise if they’re not functioning properly. You will also gain knowledge on how to install them.

There are several types of spark plug wires available, but there are three primary types that are used depending on the vehicle:

1. Distributed Resistance Wires - These are made of fiberglass-impregnated carbon. They are also known as carbon core wires; this carbon core creates a very high resistance making it extremely efficient. This high resistance helps in reducing the radio frequency interference (RFI) which is generated while the ignition system is in operation. RFI is not good, as it not just ruins the radio reception, but also can interfere with the sensors and computers used to control the engine in extreme cases. Always replace your vehicle with the same distributed resistance wires, if they were present in it.
2. MAG (Magnetic Resistance) Wires - In these wires less current is needed to generate the spark. The winding pattern and materials also help prevent any RFI from escaping.
3. Fixed Resistor Wires - They are made of steel or copper wires. They also have a resistor inside the plug boot which helps to control interference.

Here is the working of car ignition wires:

The voltage from the ignition coil flows through the ignition wire onto the distributor. As the rotor of the distributor turns, it can deliver voltage from the center terminal to the ignition wires. The energy then goes through the ignition wire to the plug, causing it to fire. With a distribution-less ignition system, each ignition coil pack can provide electricity to two spark plugs. The high voltage flows from this coil pack through the ignition wires and then to the plugs, which results in them firing up.

The spark plug wires have been substituted by an individual coil pack which sits directly on top of each of the spark plugs in vehicles manufacturers in the last decade or two.

The performance of the engine will definitely be affected if the ignition wires are faulty. Here are some problems that may arise:

1. Your check engine light is on - An issue picked up by the engine computer causes the check engine light to go on as a warning. These problems could be related to the ignition wires in the ignition system.

2. Your engine is running poorly - The car may hesitate or shudder if the high-resistance plug wire is preventing the spark plug from firing. Incomplete combustion is caused because of this reason, which results in an engine misfire.

3. Increased emissions - Inefficient ignition wires increase the hydrocarbon emissions from your vehicle drastically.

4. Lowered fuel economy - A bad spark plug will meddle with the complete ignition system, incomplete combustion creates poor fuel economy.

Here are some symptoms of bad ignition wires, which will help you diagnose the issue early and fix the problem:

1. Rough Engine Idle - Dysfunctional spark plug wires will inhibit the normal flow of electrical current that reaches the spark plugs, thereby causing a rough or erratic idle. This is by far the most common symptom of a bad ignition wire.
2. Engine Misfire - A symptom of incomplete combustion, an engine misfire can be due to bad spark plug wires. They can cause the flow of electrical current to the spark plugs to become erratic. The spark plug will experience brief periods of normal flow and brief periods of abnormal flow of current. This will result in an engine miss.
3. Engine Hesitation - You may notice this mainly during acceleration. This happens typically if there is an abnormal fuel flow to the engine or abnormal electrical conduction to the spark plugs. This can be caused by bad ignition wires. The ignition wires degrade over time either internally or even develop cracks and break their outer covering. It’s good to keep a check on their condition to avoid engine hesitation.
4. Reduced Engine Power - The engine combustion and engine power is influenced by abnormalities in the vehicle. These could include electrical systems, including in its spark plugs and spark plug wires. All these issues can negatively affect the spark plug firing. A significant power loss can occur because of bad spark plug wires. They can also interfere with the normal flow of electricity which needs to reach the spark plugs to cause the ignition spark.
5. Engine Surging - This is caused by brief spurts of adequate electrical flow to spark plugs, interspersed with brief periods in which electrical flow is reduced or nonexistent. It is common for vehicles with malfunctioning ignition wires to experience engine surging. Especially if the wires have cracks or breaks in their outside insulation. As this creates a significant amount of electrical resistance. It can also either completely stop the electrical flow to the spark plugs or cause some level of inconsistency in current transfer.

Do you want to repair your Ignition Wires on your own? In that case, you should have the correct tools which are required for repairing your Ignition Wires. Have a look at the most important tools which you might require repairing your Ignition Wires:

• 1 or 2-foot jumper wire
• Screwdriver
• Spark plug wire pliers
• Clean rag
• Tape measure
• Digital or analog multimeter

If customers trust a brand, then it would make them loyal, and if they are loyal, then they will surely buy more. We know well that customers want comfort, cheerfulness, and satisfaction in their lives and that’s the reason we offer top-quality auto parts brands to our customers. We provide a positive experience to our consumers from the brands which we are offering so that they can form an opinion that a particular auto parts brand is trustworthy and would give them peace of mind while they are purchasing it for their car. Here we have listed out some top brands for Ignition Wires.

• Blue Streak (Hygrade Motor) Ignition Wires
• Bosch Ignition Wires
• MSD Ignition Ignition Wires
• World parts Wire Sets Ignition Wires
• Beck/Arnley Ignition Wires
• Taylor Cable Ignition Wires
• NGK Canada Ignition Wires

There might be a big-picture overview of Ignition Wires in your mind, and now it’s time to look at its related components.

• Spark Plug Boot
• Coil Wire Repair Kits
• Coil Cover
• Ignition Wire Retainer
• Spacer Kits
• Spark Plug Connector

If you are looking for “Ignition Wires Replacement Cost”, “Ignition Wires Replacement Labor Cost”, “Average Cost Of Ignition Wires” or “How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Ignition Wires”, then keep on reading further and all your doubts will be cleared. If you are seeing blown Ignition Wires signs from your vehicle, then it means that a repair bill is coming. More than other failures in a car, nothing is like a faulty Ignition Wires. Now if your car Ignition Wires go bad, then it would cause a lot of issues in the functioning of your car. Keep in mind that the Ignition Wires replacement cost would depend upon the type of automobile, brand, as well as various other factors. The cost to replace ignition wires is relatively minor, ranging from approximately $150 to $350, although specialty and high-performance models may be more.

Here are the steps that will help you change the ignition wires in your vehicle:

Step 1 - Cool the engine

Let the engine cool to room temperature. You have to be able to work around it so no injury must occur when around hot components.

Step 2 - Making space

Using a screwdriver, wrench, ratchet, and sockets as per need, remove or move any parts or components that are coming in the way. You have to have clear access to the plug wire. These could be engine cover, radiator fan shroud, or air cleaner duct, etc.

Step 3 - Accessing the ignition wire

Once you have a simple idea of which wire you have to replace, grab the wire’s boot with your hand (the end of the spark plug) and twist it from side to side, and simultaneously pull it off the spark plug. In case you cannot reach the boot because of being confined in a small space, you can make use of spark-plug wire pliers for easy removal.

Step 4 - Free up the wires

It’s important to unhook the wire from any clips which may hold it in place. Be observant and don’t rush this step.

Step 5 - Disconnection from distributor/ignition coil

Carefully trace the ignition wire towards the other end, and disconnect it from the distributor or ignition coil. If the wires are clipped in you may need to push in the tangs to unhook the clips, while you gently pull out the boot. You can use a pair of needle-nose pliers if deemed necessary for this step.

 Step 6 - Picking the right length wire

Now that you have been able to successfully remove the spark plug wire, choose a wire of the same length for replacement. Connect the new wire end which corresponds to the distributor or ignition coil first.

Step 7 - Hook the wire

Follow the same path as the original wire and simply hook the new wire to the corresponding routing clips. You can also use the ones you may get in the new set.

Step 8 - Fit the boot end of the wire

Now you can fit in the boot end of the wire over the spark plug until it snaps in place. That’s when you know that it’s been set correctly. You will be able to either hear or feel a metal connector inside the rubber boot snap.

Step 9 - Install the rest of the wires

Follow the same steps as 2 to 9 to install the rest of the wires.

Step 10 - Reinstalling components removed

If you had removed any components to access the ignition wires, simply lower your vehicle and reinstall them all.