simple multi meter ohms question
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
simple multi meter ohms question
I need to get between 2,280 and 7,290 ohms, from my spark plug wires. I'm getting 2.1K and 1.7K on 2 of my plug wires. Does that convert to 2,100 and 1,700 ohms? If so then are my plug wires shot? Thanks
Numbers are not for a ford truck !!!!
Numbers are not for a ford truck !!!!
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
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From: Central Indiana
Just my $0.02 USD worth
I believe spark plug wire is rated at X resistance per inch of wire. And yes, 1.7K ohms is 1,700 ohms. K is shorthand for thousand.
For reference, Taylor Pro Resistor Core wire is about 3.5K per built wire (average). Competition wire may be as low as 25 to 50 ohms per built wire.
To hit a number, you might find the known resistance per inch of a particular wire, then multiply into the built length to see if that wire will work for you.
As far as your existing wire, you need to check with the manufacturer to see if those numbers are too low or too high.
For reference, Taylor Pro Resistor Core wire is about 3.5K per built wire (average). Competition wire may be as low as 25 to 50 ohms per built wire.
To hit a number, you might find the known resistance per inch of a particular wire, then multiply into the built length to see if that wire will work for you.
As far as your existing wire, you need to check with the manufacturer to see if those numbers are too low or too high.
Last edited by raystankewitz; Oct 28, 2017 at 07:26 PM. Reason: Adding information
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
What type of wires are they? The numbers that you want to see are dependent on that. Carbon core wires resistance typically goes up, not down, over time. How old are they? The insulation is just as important, maybe more, than anything else. Depending on what type of wires they are the low resistance numbers on the two you mentioned might mean those are the only ones that passed the test. But regardless if wires are approaching 10 years or so, they may need swapping out as preventive maintenance. Some good tests here: http://www.aa1car.com/library/spark_plug_wires.htm
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Fleet Mechanic
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From: va
Thanks, I bought the cheapest wires at advance. The wires are a few years old, they look to be in very good shape. I still don't understand the ohms part of it. Haynes manual says I should get an average between 2,280 and 7,290 ohms. I'm getting between 2.1K and 1.7K on all four wires. It's for my neon, each wire is a foot long, without the boots. So is the lower the ohms the better, when buying wires? After I figure out my car i can check my truck wires?
The Spark Plug Wire Set I bought came with a EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene) rubber inner insulation. EPDM rubber inner insulation provides superior heat resistance and prevention of arcing and voltage leaks. It has a custom tailored pre-cut and capped 7mm wire set and 500 ohm per foot resistance.
The Spark Plug Wire Set I bought came with a EPDM (Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene) rubber inner insulation. EPDM rubber inner insulation provides superior heat resistance and prevention of arcing and voltage leaks. It has a custom tailored pre-cut and capped 7mm wire set and 500 ohm per foot resistance.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Waterloo, Iowa
The "lowest resistance" = Best Wires is kind of a myth or at least a misunderstanding. Lots of snake oil when it comes to ignition parts.
Straight wire, really old school plug wires - had problems with RFI in that they can cause interference with radios and television, and modern electronic engine controls. Anyway one thing that resistance wires do is result in a hotter spark, because the strike voltage necessary to arc across the plug gap is higher. The numbers in the Haynes manual assume a particular type of construction. Carbon core is different than spiral wound. Resistance tends to go up when wires go bad, not down. We're talking $20 here right? You could have had them all replaced by now.
Straight wire, really old school plug wires - had problems with RFI in that they can cause interference with radios and television, and modern electronic engine controls. Anyway one thing that resistance wires do is result in a hotter spark, because the strike voltage necessary to arc across the plug gap is higher. The numbers in the Haynes manual assume a particular type of construction. Carbon core is different than spiral wound. Resistance tends to go up when wires go bad, not down. We're talking $20 here right? You could have had them all replaced by now.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Edmond, OK
Mike, more important than the resistance values of your two oddball spark plug wires is the resistance value of ALL the spark plug wires. Are the rest of your spark plug wires at 2.2k to 2.3k ohms or are they up at 7.1k to 7.2k ohms? If they are reading quite high you might consider replacing the wires. However; as the others said, resistance of spark plug wires usually goes up as they age until they OPEN and the resistance is infinity.
To answer your question, usually folks with performance vehicles want low resistance spark plug wires. Check it out!
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending
Ultimately, if the spark plug wires on your Dodge Neon are in decent shape without cracking or deterioration and there are no trouble codes evident then: "Why fix what isn't broken?"
To answer your question, usually folks with performance vehicles want low resistance spark plug wires. Check it out!
https://www.summitracing.com/search/...rder=Ascending
Ultimately, if the spark plug wires on your Dodge Neon are in decent shape without cracking or deterioration and there are no trouble codes evident then: "Why fix what isn't broken?"
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