blue light coming from spark plug wires (Page 1/1)
Xenoblast MAY 09, 10:33 PM
I can see flashes of blue light coming from my sparkplug wires in the dark, I tried to record it but my phone did not pick it up, its a very faint light and its coming from the middle of the wire, not the edges. Was wondering if this could mean something is wrong or if it means that my sparkplug wires are bad quality, engine runs fine though. I am using duralast wires. It seems to only happen with wires close to metal.

[This message has been edited by Xenoblast (edited 05-09-2022).]

Patrick MAY 09, 10:36 PM

It's normal.
Xenoblast MAY 10, 12:14 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:


It's normal.



Ok good to know its a little strange I can only see a few wires doing it but I wont bother. I thought maybe the insulation on my wires may not be good enough or something
Patrick MAY 10, 12:55 AM

What you are observing is corona discharge.
PhatMax MAY 10, 03:47 PM
I don’t think that’s normal….. tells me the wire insulation is breaking down or weak. If the insulation is good you should be able to grab the wire and not get shocked. Plug could have too big a gap causing the voltage to find the least resistance point…aka the wire.
Gall757 MAY 10, 05:44 PM
It may be normal, but when I got new plug wires, there was no light to be seen.On your next evening test, mist the wires with a spray bottle and if arcing is visible, I'd say get new wires.
theogre MAY 10, 06:40 PM
If good wires and plugs set w/ right gap etc...

Maybe the wires are already coated w/ crap or salt and any moisture will act as you spray the wires like above.
Or have oil or other chemicals on them that that weakens the "plastic" insulation.

Clean wires, dist cap and and coil w/ dish soap and water. Not chemicals or solvents that can attack insulation.
wait for everything to dry then reinstall.
Put parts somewhere warm to speed up drying.

But if wires had chemical damage then this likely won't help and need replacement of wires.
(Hard plastic clean up easier even after get oil etc on them.)

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Jake_Dragon MAY 10, 07:11 PM
Grab hold of it and it will tell you if its leaking Click to show
Is it by the plug boot?
I have had good results putting dielectric grease in the boot, it helps with spark leak at the boot and keeps the boot from sticking to the plug.
Carbon tracking can be seen on the porcelain of the plug and will eventually cause a discharge from the boot.
Same thing can happen inside the distributor cap, why they need to be inspected.
The carbon tracks conduct the spark where its not welcome.
Xenoblast MAY 10, 10:53 PM


This is where I am seeing the flashes.
Jake_Dragon MAY 11, 12:32 PM
Well if it was me I would replace the wires, also note the pole on the distributer cap and see if it looks burnt on the inside of the cap.
Good luck.