Spark Plug Wires, blue sparks??

5.Ohhno

New Member
Dec 30, 2003
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I just installed brand new MSD 8mm wires and my car stared to run like crap at idle, but SEEMED ok at WOT. Everything went good with the install. I did a 90k mile tune up with new cap, rotor, plugs and plug wires. Cap and rotor are good, i got the best ones i could find, the plugs are the ford motorsport ones from the dealer used with dielectric grease, and my plug wires are msd 8mm.

Here is why i think its the wires... tonight i did a lights out test and found that i have blue sparks jumping around the coil to the outer metal ring, the coil wire glowing where it was laying on the ac tube, and blue glowing around every single boot on each plug. I can understand this happening on an old, highly resistive stock wire, but these are a day old??? Also when i picked up the coil wire to move it off the ac tube, it was glowing around my finger tips. Im tempted to go buy the stock replacment wires from the dealer for $80 cause those seem to work better and bring back the MSD wires to the store with a handfull of comlaints.

Any Ideas??? Simular Experiences???

Also ive looked up every topic on this subject and everyone that saw what i did just needed to replace their old wires and that took care of it, and the solution was to buy new ones... I say try it, if you think you have a very well tuned car, please go out at night and inspect the entire ignition path for blue sparks, it has to be almost pitch black, and your eyes adjusted. Thanks
 
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hey i have THE SAME PROBLEM everything u said is what i have the a/c tube they glow,my fingers they glow. and around the coil.and around the plug boots. i have just the cheap oriely wires i thought that was my problem but since you have the same thing with msd then i dont know. i know you have to keep the ring around your coil very clean b/c the grease/dirt will make it arc.
 
You could just have defective wires. It's common with those things around here. I would try exchanging them for another set, try them, and if they don't cut it go with FMS 9mm set. They are only $40 or so and are good fromwhat I'vd heard.
 
They are the heli-core. I think im going to order the ford 9mm. They seem to have the least complaints. Taylor wires sound pretty good too. Will checker auto parts take back wires after they have been on my car??
 
Yeah, I've heard nothing but complaints about the Heli-Cores. I have the Super Conductors, and I couldn't be happier with them. I used to run the FRPP 9mm sets, but these actually made the car run smoother and increased my fuel economy.

Sorry to hear you're having problems, but, I'd give the Super Conductors a try if the taste is not too bitter on MSD.
 
Thanks guys. Heli-cores are going back tomorrow,and i need some wires soon, ihave a cross country drive next week and cant wait on fms in the mail... should i go buy the stock wires from the dealer ($80 yikes!) or swap those for the MSD 9mm's at the store also 80 bucks? Also Is it safe to drive on those wires, or will it cause detonation?
 
I would exchange them for the MSD Super Conductors - mine have performed flawlessly. Heli-Core are crap! When I measured the resistance of the Heli-Cores, they ended up being higher than the 10 year old stockers.............