The spark plug cables, also called HT leads, ignition coils, spark plug wires or high tension leads in your car are located between the ignition coil and the spark plugs. Spark plug cables ensure that a connection between these car parts is made. From the ignition coil current is transferred to the spark plugs, which generates a spark to ignite the fuel in the engine. Your spark plugs need enough current to generate a spark. The ignition coil supplies the current to do this. The current is routed to the spark plugs via the HT leads. If the ignition lead doesn?t function properly, the engine may start to run irregular or may fail to start at all.
Symptoms failing HT leads
High voltage is going through the spark plug cables. Due to the high use, spark plug wires can wear out over time. The HT leads will then give more and more resistance. This makes the spark less likely to reach the spark plug. So, it is possible that the HT lead will fail over time, for example, the insulation material can dry out, melt, crack and even burst. Current leaking away can also occur between the spark plug cable and the spark plugs themselves. A broken ignition lead can be recognized by a number of symptoms, such as:
- Decrease in power;
- Decrease in acceleration;
- Irregular running engine;
- Engine misses strokes at high speed;
- Misfiring of your engine;
- No or irregular ignition;
- Decrease in fuel efficiency and an increase in fuel consumption;
- Electronic equipment and car radio failure;
- Engine light on the dashboard is on;
Recognise any of these symptoms? Please perform a visual inspection of the high tension leads. During a visual inspection, please lookout for a couple of things. First of all, check your spark plug wires for visual damage. You can also measure the cables or have them measured with a gauge at your local garage.
Replace Ignition leads
The good news is that you can easily replace the spark plug wires yourself. Start with locating the HT leads. Most likely is that the spark plug wires are under the bonnet, attached with one end to the spark plugs and with the other end to a distributor or the ignition coil. You can now also easily see how many cables you need. It is best to replace the complete spark plug wiring as a set. In general, the spark plug cables wear simultaneously. A combination of different types of cables is not recommended. Furthermore, make sure you purchase the correct length. It is possible that the lengths of spark plug wires differ between manufacturers. This is a little trick they apply to make sure that their products are applicable to different makes and models. Purchase a spark plug cable set that best matches the length of your current spark plug cable wires. This way you´re sort of guaranteed of a good fit.
While replacing the spark ignition, please ensure that your engine is switched off and has cooled down. Tip: note all the lengths and the location of the cables. It is important that the new cables are in the right location. Then replace the cables one by one. Be careful when disconnecting the cables though. Pull gently on the rubber end of the cable. If you pull on the cable itself, you can ruin the cable entirely. After removing the cables, please attach the new spark plug cables one by one.
Buying HT leads
You can buy HT leads quickly and easily using your number plate. Enter your number plate and the suitable products for your car are displayed. Are you looking for other parts for the ignition system of your car? At Winparts you will also find crankshaft sensors, camshaft sensors, glow plugs and relays.