Curtis - '97 Targa

Just changed out the top and bottom wires on #2 and #3. Everything was pretty straight forward with the help of Robin's DIY on spark plug change...thanks Robin!

I did encounter one thing that needed some improvisation. The bottom bank wires run through a rubber grommet that apparently can't be removed with both ends of the wire intact. I cut off the old wires, then put a slit in the grommet that allowed me to slide in the new wires.

Anyone have another work around for this?

Robin 993DX

Hi Chris,

Glad to hear everything went smooth with your DIY.

By cutting the groumet is the only way I know of that can get the new wire back in.

GeoT3

Curtis,
why did you change your plug wires? were they cracked or damaged? out side of that, I thought these wires are good for 100K.

Curtis - '97 Targa

I got a "Check Engine" light about every 100 miles or so. The code indicates a misfire...always on #3 and sometimes on #2, also. I did the "easy" stuff first...dist. caps and rotors. Then did the plugs, too. That leaves ignition wires.

I couldn't see any cracks or tracks but figured that replacing them was the next logical step.

By the way, the OBD diagnostic manual lists ignition wires as the second step in diagnosing a misfire...step one is plugs.

We'll see if it does the trick.

STLPCA

Curtis
I have a spark leak from the connector of one of my plug wires at the distr cap. I replaced both caps (& rotors) but it still sparks to ground at the cap. I was told by my P dealer the oem sparkplug wires are only sold in complete sets for $$$. I hate to buy 14 wires to get the 1 I need.
What wires did you use in replacing your 4 - aftermarket? oem not in a set? Anyone else have any suggestions? TIA.
Dan

Robin 993DX

Dan, your delaer lied to you.

Originally that's what I thought, but then when I looked on the parts patalog I found out that the spark plug wires have individual part number. Which means you can order them separately.

Curtis - '97 Targa

Well, 112 miles and the check engine light comes on again...@@#@@$%$%@#@!$$#%

Code indicates misfire on #2 and #3. The book says the next thing to try is ignition coil but seems like that would effect all cylinders...not just these two.

STLPCA

Thanks Robin - time to have a reality session w/my P dealer's parts mgr. Hope the bad parts info was just an innocent mistake. Although, they're a client of mine - maybe trying to get back some of my fees

Chris in Detroit

Could it be a general voltage problem - like ignition coil, whatever, just happens that your cylinder 2/3 setup is particularly susceptible to misfire ?

See my recent post (I think) but I was having some crazy electrical problems, including seemingly random misfires - turned out to be the battery slowly dying on me. New battery, no more problems !

Curtis - '97 Targa

Dan,

Here is the parts diagram and part numbers for the ignition wires...

Curtis - '97 Targa

Chris,
I don't know about the general voltage thing... Doesn't seem to me like that would show up only on the same one or two cylinders. My battery isn't showing any signs of weakness, either.

STLPCA

Thanks Curtis - just what I needed. Good luck w/your problem.
BTW, it's probably a dumb thought, but were there indications you were missing other than the check engine light/fault codes? How did the replaced plugs for #2/#3 look? Perhaps the fault is in the OBDII system itself.

Curtis - '97 Targa

Dan,
Nope...no other indications. The plugs all looked okay on removal.

I about ready to remove the dang light bulb!

dwe8922

I check out the ferrari bbs from time to time and saw a post about spark plug wires. A guy makes his own using bulk spark plug wire. He said he reuses the boot if he can, otherwise he finds a close fit.
I always thought the wires were sold as sets only. I think when mine go, I'll replace the set. But, I think I'll look into making my own first. Now that I think about it, I remember a local mechanic talking about buying the beru spark plug boots separately for a late '88 911. Does this sound reasonable?

David