HT Leads

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:01

Hiya,

Should I get a shock from a HT lead if I wiggle it on the coilpack while the engine is running?

When I mean wiggle I just mean move it about on the coilpack, not anywhere near pulling it off

I've got a slight misfire problem on my car and am thinking it could be dodgy HT leads.

Cheers

Jon

Firestar_3x · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:02

HT lead shock, NICE, not something i would want to be zapped by.

No, sounds like the insulator has broken down.

Matt82 · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:10

ht lead shock can be very dangerous, ie potentially fatal!

get a new set, its something that could very easily cause a misfire

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:15

YIKES!!! that's a bit worrying!? :eek:

Matt82 · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:17

yeah, HT high tension, i think youre looking at hundreds of thousands of volts lol

what car is it?

Firestar_3x · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:19

Depends what the current is mate, thats the killer, but high volts still isn't nice.

MikeHiow · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:19

I think, although theoretically possible, it'd be a fairly extreme case if you died as a result - but I know all to well how much it hurts.

I'd be looking for new leads, but one way you can test is with a water spray bottle, something that gives off a misty spray - and spray it all around the coilpack at night - its likely that you'll then see where its sparking to. It's probably worth giving that a go, as last time I experienced this, it was due to a fine crack on the coilpack casing (Typical VAG coilpack, really)

Janesy B · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:20

Volts Jolt, Amps Kill

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:30

Matt82 said:
yeah, HT high tension, i think youre looking at hundreds of thousands of volts lol

what car is it?

2002 Subaru Legacy 2.0 na

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:31

MikeHiow said:
I think, although theoretically possible, it'd be a fairly extreme case if you died as a result - but I know all to well how much it hurts.

I'd be looking for new leads, but one way you can test is with a water spray bottle, something that gives off a misty spray - and spray it all around the coilpack at night - its likely that you'll then see where its sparking to. It's probably worth giving that a go, as last time I experienced this, it was due to a fine crack on the coilpack casing (Typical VAG coilpack, really)

I'll try this

would WD-40 be ok to spray?

MikeHiow · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:45

No, needs to be water, as it'll provide some conductivity, you're looking for sparks/arcs.

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 09:52

ah yeah,

obvious really.

dalin80 · 6 Nov 2009 at 13:12

bah, been sparked plenty of times hasnt done me any harm.

although my pee is now aqua-blue. :confused:

seriously though asides from a shock and a sore limb then its pretty harmless although i almost wet myself once when i got hit by a saab pack on a self burn off cycle.

floatindolphin · 6 Nov 2009 at 14:16

ha ha good way to test the coil pack!

Dogbreath · 6 Nov 2009 at 15:28

Matt82 said:
yeah, HT high tension, i think youre looking at hundreds of thousands of volts lol

what car is it?

30kv is about the maximum you'll get from most ignition systems.

Matt82 · 6 Nov 2009 at 15:51

30,000 volts

Dogbreath · 6 Nov 2009 at 18:08

Matt82 said:
30,000 volts

With enough current to really hurt and be potentially fatal with modern ignition systems.

BigglesPiP · 6 Nov 2009 at 18:31

Certainly sounds like you need HT leads.

Matt82 said:
yeah, HT high tension, i think youre looking at hundreds of thousands of volts lol

what car is it?

Matt82 said:
ht lead shock can be very dangerous, ie potentially fatal!

get a new set, its something that could very easily cause a misfire

As said, it's not the volts, it's the current.

Older coils (like >10 years ago, and stuff with a distributor) are usually 1A (fully on current in primary winding), they would be a lucky shot to kill you.

The very latest stuff has multiple 32A coils, and when the insulation fails there's a light show under the bonnet. These will very easily kill you.

Lopéz · 6 Nov 2009 at 18:36

I've had a shock off a worn out lead before. Gives a decent kick!

dalin80 · 6 Nov 2009 at 22:08

Dogbreath said:
30kv is about the maximum you'll get from most ignition systems.

upto 110kv now for many new coil on plug types.

diesel common rail injector wiring has actually killed more though, the wires run 200v at 20A and have took out a few of the unsuspecting who simply unplugged them while the engine was running to try and track down missfires.