Stupid Coil Question, take 2: No Big Scary Words

[snaxforgandhi]

'94 Ranger XLT Lariat, 3.0 V6 OHV, 4-speed A4LD


OK, let's try again, this time with no big scary words.


Truck "stutters" when cruising. Happened to look under hood when it was dark and noticed some faint blue arcing around coil and along coil wire. Seems logical that spark may be shunting to ground: Not my question.

Question: Is it normal to see some trace arcing around ignition coil if viewed in complete darkness. I obvioulsy understand that sparks should not be shooting out of the coil, but this is very faint, so faint that it is not visible under normal lighting. So, I'm not sure if what I'm seeing is weird, or just some kinda side effect that's normal for high-ratio x-formers like ignition coils (sorry 'bout that last bit, I know I promised no big scary words. But if you don't know what I mean by high-ratio transformer then you probably don't know the answer to my question. No harm, no foul)

What I am looking for here is someone who can speak to theory (I know, I know... scary) or who might have had seen something similar. Though appreciated, the "spray with goo" fix isn't really helping me.

!!!NOTE!!!: If you understand terms like "flux," "potential," and "static charge," and think you might benefit from a more complete explanation, please see my original post here:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/684066-possibly-stupid-definitely-long-coil-question-cmon-i-dare-you.html

Any help will certainly be appreciated! Thanx for your time!

Respectfully, ~G

[blue beast]

Measure the resistance on your coil wire. Spray with a bit of water mist and really
see the sparks a flying. I covered all my plug wires with split loom because I had
quite a few spots that were arcing to ground or to low voltage wires. Plug wires
should measure out to around 5000 ohms per foot If you find that it is substantially
more then this, Electricity will find the path of least resistance!!

[kittrell]

1999 Ford Ranger V6 3.0
What is the wire order on the coil pack
1 6
2 5
3 4
or what???

[snaxforgandhi]

No coil pack, just coil. Single coil wire from coil tower to distributor tower.

Thanx for the input folks. I got 'er figured out!


~G