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What would Cause Arching Of new Plug wires?

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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 01:03 PM
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Question What would Cause Arching Of new Plug wires?

I just got these Wires about a month ago.. there 10mm Cables.
And it would seem there Sparking off on anything metal.
Only Reason im saying this is there's Black Scoring On the wires as well as the Body where the wires have been laying...

Any help would be Great
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 01:08 PM
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When it's dark, do you see the arcing? During the day it's hard to tell...

If it's arcing, then the wires are bad.
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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During the day all i need do is get to close to one of the Burn spots wile the cars Running. and ill get a nice little Zap -.- looks like imma take auto zone up on there warranty
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 01:59 PM
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As an auto repair tech for almost 33 years, I have seen many many different brands of aftermarket plug wires installed on cars, and of all the brands, the single most trouble-prone brand is Auto Zone. I prefer either the higher-end Napa Belden wires or the OEM wires from a Mazda dealer (NGK) which are surprisingly inexpensive. Additional steps can be taken to minimize corona (arcing) of the wires:

(1) NEVER "bundle" the wires together with zip-ties. (I have even seen people use wire twist-ties!)

(2) Separate the wires from each other by a minimum of 1/16th inch. Plastic plug wire holders work well for this and are available at most parts stores.

(3) If the wires must touch each other (most aftermarket wires are longer than OEM making it difficult to separate them and have a neat install) then try to arrange them so that they cross each other at right angles instead of parallel. If you're ambitious, you can shorten the wire for a custom fit and re-crimp the terminations at the coil end. Shorter is better anyways.

(4) Don't allow the wire to rest on or touch metal objects on the engine or body. If this is unavoidable, use split-loom plastic tubing (OEM wires have this).
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 04:25 PM
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Originally Posted by cyberxn
I just got these Wires about a month ago.. there 10mm Cables.
And it would seem there Sparking off on anything metal.
Only Reason im saying this is there's Black Scoring On the wires as well as the Body where the wires have been laying...

Any help would be Great
Post up the BrandName of the Wires.
It sounds like they Don't have enough Insulation on them,and that is why they Arc.I was in a hurry to Get my Car on the road,and I bought Bosch.Cheap too.25 bucks Cdn..They worked just fine.(I swapped to Jacobs Wires though).
if you can't get them away from anything metal to prevent Arcing then I would just grab a set of NGK's(stock).I think you just got a set of "blingie" wires that aren't mfg'ed very well.
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 04:59 PM
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well they were Bosch... But they had been Resting On the Body.
I just switched to NGK from Discount Auto, Which come covered in that Plastic Tubing. And i also bought the Spacers to keep them apart...

to my Surprise this Fixed allot of the Issues i was having...
Acceleration and so on
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Old Jan 4, 2009 | 09:04 PM
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Ya,The NGK's come with that Plastic wiring protector loom stuff,so I can see that it would Fix the problem.
Funny thing though,the Bosch Wires.I never had any issue with them at all.Maybe the way I wire MY car?..
at least you got your Car up and Running good..Good to hear.Rock On!
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