New Plug wires arcing. How to route them on the valve cover?

mattruffer471 · Post by **mattruffer471** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 4:01 am

I just installed new spark plugs and wires on my 2000 Lanos (automatic, 60k miles) The check engine light now flashes when i have to step on the gas pedal. It stops flashing when the car is idling. I started the car up at night and saw every spark plug wire was arcing in numerous spots. Are my new plug wires defective or is there a proper way to route the wires on the valve cover? A diagram of correct plug wire routing would help me out a lot. Thanks for your help, Matt

MMamdouh · Post by **MMamdouh** » Tue Jan 09, 2007 7:35 am

their is a topic in the how to section about the correct assignment of the spark plug wires.

my experiance says if you got the wrong assignment then the car wouldn't have started... since it is running and you are having arcs all over the place then your new wires are leaking badly.

MMamdouh

mattruffer471 · Post by **mattruffer471** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 3:59 am

Turned out to be a bad coil. The arcing problem was solved by tightly routing the plug wires around the indent in each plug wire boot. I also used 3/8 fuel hose around the wires where the wires were close to the valve cover to prevent arcing.

exist3nce · Post by **exist3nce** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:23 am

mattruffer471 wrote:Turned out to be a bad coil. The arcing problem was solved by tightly routing the plug wires around the indent in each plug wire boot. I also used 3/8 fuel hose around the wires where the wires were close to the valve cover to prevent arcing.

nice work.

Spider · Post by **Spider** » Wed Jan 17, 2007 6:41 am

Yes, good work !

I have used "di-electric grease" (available at any auto-parts store) with good results at any cable to plug, cable to cap or cable to coil connection.

Moonless, dark night ?
no "light show"= good wires and connections.