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Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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flpirate
New User
Oct 23, 2011, 3:28 PM
Post #1 of 7
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Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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I don't know if this is actually the most appropriate forum for this question, since I'm pretty car-clueless, but here goes anyway!
I have a 1996 Mazda Protege DX. I'm not sure what the engine size is (or even how to figure that out) and I'm too lazy right now to go check the mileage, since I'm not sure it's relevant to the question at all.
Here's the issue: Some kind of rodent got under the hood of my car and chewed up one of my spark plug wires. That seems like the kind of thing I should be able to replace on my own, but the wires at the local automotive store aren't exactly like the ones that are already in my car.
Question #1: Does the replacement wire have to have exactly the same characteristics as the previous wire (in terms of mm or length or anything else)?
Question #2: Can I just replace the damaged wire if all the other wires seem fine, or is there some serious advantage to replacing all of them at once?
Question #3: Is there anything I should definitely do or definitely not do while replacing the wire?
This is pretty much the first time I've ever tried to fix anything on my car myself, so thanks for putting up with my cluelessness, and thanks for any help you can give me!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 23, 2011, 4:34 PM
Post #2 of 7
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Wire sets will vary a little from brand to brand because they try to make them fit more than one application. They do however need to have the same configuration and relative length.
You should never change just one wire. Always change the set. The internal resistance should be comparable between cylinders. The hardest part will be matching up which wire goes to which cylinder. You should lay them out in order ahead of time and only change one at a time so you don't mix any of them up.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 23, 2011, 5:23 PM
Post #3 of 7
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Yes to that. Should fit right even if a different color or something.
Dang rodents. WTF gives with them liking wiring to chew on? You are not the first,
T
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flpirate
New User
Oct 31, 2011, 12:50 PM
Post #4 of 7
(1393 views)
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Whoops, thanks for the reply — I didn't see it right away because I thought the forum would send me an e-mail when I got a reply, but it doesn't seem to have...
Anyway, thanks for the advice. This sounds like it might be more complicated than it seemed. Meh! I need to find a detailed set of directions as to how to do this, I guess, huh?
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flpirate
New User
Oct 31, 2011, 12:52 PM
Post #5 of 7
(1390 views)
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Sorry for the delay in replying — I totally have the e-mail notification box checked but I guess something's wonked up somewhere (maybe even on my end), because I didn't get any notifications of replies.
And yeah, I have no idea what's with the rodents and the wire. We had a pet rat when I was a kid that did the same thing.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 31, 2011, 1:36 PM
Post #6 of 7
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Over the years now - sometimes a notice slow or instant. Till site gets another go thru check back on your own as almost none go unattended,
T
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 31, 2011, 1:43 PM
Post #7 of 7
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Re: Replacing the plug cable/wire question
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Check your spam folder
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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