Spark Plug Wire Question

[DavidHickey]

Just have a dumb question as a non mechanic. My 1990 Johnson 100hp has been running rough at idle speeds, I replaced the thermostats which did not help, and ordered carb kits which will be in by the weekend. After I did the thermostats I figured I would check to make sure all the wires were connected good. When I pressed on the back of the 2 spark plug wires on the right hand side while the engine was running I recieved a pretty good shock. Did not get any shock from the wires on the left side. Is this normal or could the wires be bad and need replacing. And if so what symptoms could bad plug wires cause?
David

 

[reload]

Re: Spark Plug Wire Question

I've been shocked by new wires and old wires, I don't know why some wires shock you and some don't. Bad wires could cause a idle problem. They are at the same time causing a high speed problem but at such a rapid frequency you don't realize it. Rebuilding carbs is a good idea.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Spark Plug Wire Question

If you even think the plug wires are bad, change them. We use the ones from Wizard Performance. Excellent wires with ss ends. I can guarantee you they are good thru 10,000 rpm. Flagship Marine has them (800-282-2840) if iboats doesn't.

 

[leysathcj]

Re: Spark Plug Wire Question

I recently had a similar experience w/ a "shocking" plug wire and was advised to look for a loose connection at the plug-boot end of the wire by another iBoat member. Pulled boot off, cleaned up both ends of this connection and re-installed boot. Shock stopped and boat running fine. Apparently there was a gap between the plug wire and spring clip inside the boot and the spark chose to ground through me instead of arc that gap.

If only all repairs could be this simple...

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Spark Plug Wire Question

If only all repairs could be this simple...

The complicated part is talking yourself into grabbing that wire the second time to see if the repairs worked.