Too many amps through the #1 plug wire?

The Green Lantern · 05-30-2009, 11:43 PM

Hi All,

I have an intermittent won't-start problem with my 97 Escort (2.0L SPI).

It makes a sort of clicking sound while accelerating, and sometimes I can hear it while idling. It sounds a lot like an electric arc. I popped the hood to hear it better and saw the #1 plug wire jumping in time with the clicks. I grabbed it to make sure and I could feel it in the wire.

So I thought maybe the plug wire had gotten loose. I took out the plug (to check it) put it back in (because it looked good and still had good gap), and made sure the wire was clipped on pretty good. I couldn't hear it at idle anymore, but it was loud and clear during accelerations.

How can the #1 wire be getting more current than the other 3 wires? And how can this prevent it from starting every now and then?

Anyone have any ideas about what might be going on here?

Thanks,
Allen

PS: For your detail-oriented pleasure...

Some History:

Recently, for the intermittent won't start: I re-checked all the vacuum lines, replaced a few inches of old with new (including the fuel pressure regulator to intake line). I replaced the fuel filter because it had never been done. I also used Redline's fuel system cleaner in the case that I had some dirty injectors.

Back in December: I had a miss on the #4 cylinder every now and then (based on the code as read by a local mechanic). I could see the coil pack had a crack in it near the #4 plug socket. I replaced it and went ahead and replaced the plugs, plug wires and did a compression check. I got #1 - 180psi, #2 thru #4 - 200psi for compression with 7 cranks each.

ferratilis · 05-31-2009, 02:08 AM

That wire is not getting any extra current, you just have a bad wire.
Current takes the path of least resistance to ground. In your situation the spark plug wire either, has cracks in it, a break in the core, or bad connections to the end connectors. What you are hearing is the current jumping to ground through the insulation, or across a break in the wire.
If you open the hood at night, or in a darker area, like the garage, you might be able to see this spark. Sometimes a really bad spark plug can cause this, but my first guess is the wire.
The solution would be to get some new spark plugs wires.

The Green Lantern · 06-03-2009, 10:05 PM

I did change the plug wire, but that hasn't solved the problem. It only does this while accelerating now, though. I got the flashing SES light on the way into work today, so I will have to wait for a break in work to see if I can have codes read.

BroncoJoe19 · 06-04-2009, 04:55 AM

Could you be hearing the clicking of the fuel injector?

Did you also check the other end of the wire? Into the coil pack?

You can spray soem water on it and look at it like ferratiillis suggested.

taz4x4150 · 06-04-2009, 07:47 AM

I grabbed it to make sure and I could feel it in the wire.

Only a very brave/dumb man grabs the plug wire of a running vehicle when he thinks it could be a bad wire!

ElectrolysisDoc · 06-04-2009, 10:53 AM

You may have a bad plug in #1. If your plug has "opened" somehow, the spark will jump "to the path of least resistance" as Ferratilis has suggested.

The Green Lantern · 06-06-2009, 02:52 PM

I'm definitely more dumb than brave.

I did not suspect it was a bad wire, though I probably should have. It was behaving like a like a wire that was seeing large current pulses, trying to straighten itself out.

But I did want to make sure it wasn't something else.

I did check the connection at the coil pack, and I made sure it seated well when I replaced the wire.

I'll change the plug and see if that helps. I'll check the fuel injectors by listening to them. I don't suppose it would wise to rule them out.

Thanks,
Allen

The Green Lantern · 06-08-2009, 07:11 PM

So I replaced the plug & plug wire. No change.

The injectors are clicking as expected.

The codes came up P1443 (purge canister) and P0304 (cylinder #4 misfire).

BroncoJoe19 · 06-08-2009, 07:28 PM

The codes came up P1443 (purge canister) and P0304 (cylinder #4 misfire).
LOL... looks like you grabbed the wrong wire.

What about the purge canister?... vacuum leak?

The Green Lantern · 06-08-2009, 10:50 PM

hehe...maybe, but as I understand it, the #1 wire is the one on the far passenger side which is partially blocked by the alternator.

I did change out some old hose recently on both sides of the purge valve. I need to fix that thing anyway, or it'll never pass inpection this year.

The weird thing about the misfire the engine felt fine. I only knew to expect misfire code because the SES was blinking.

I wish I could post a recording of the clicking sound. It happens every time the throttle is opened and the engine revs up. Today I opened the throttle by hand to see if I could hear where it was coming from and when I released it, it idled rough for a while and then quit.

If the car wouldn't flat refuse to start every once in a while, I wouldn't keep worrying with it.