93 escort 1.9 spark plug wires

[rhonsman]

hello. does anyone have the spark plug wire diagram for a 1993 escort? also what would cause a spark plug wire to keep coming loose/ popping off? these are brand new wires. is there a secret to keeping them on? the reason i bought new wires is the car was runnning ultra rough. i checked the wires and a couple were loose. with the new wires i push them on then after driving approx. 3 miles the same one keeps coming loose. please help. very frustrating plus the gas fumes and the gas mileage are horrrible.

[mightymoose_22]

Which one keeps coming loose? The left one behind the alternator? That one is the hardest to reach... maybe it isn't on tight in the first place? There should be no reason for it to slip off other than not being secure to begin with.

[rhonsman]

hi mightymoose. thanks for responding. the one second from the right keeps coming loose .do you know of any secrets to keep it on. when i push it on it feels like a good fit. after driving i give it a pull and it almost falls off on its own. Also can you or anyone help me make sure i have the wires in right? using the numbers on the rotor: number one leads to the plug behing the alternator. (far left) number two is the plug just to the right of that. number three is next on right. and number four is the plug closest to the rotor. correct? i started so carefully doing one wire at a time but then when problems ensued things got a little crazy. thank you very much.

[12Ounce]

The cyls are numbered 1 thru 4 from the serpentine belt to the tranny, just like you wrote.

The cables should "snap" onto the plug. Perhaps theres a defect in the cable end. Try swapping a couple.

[mightymoose_22]

I have never heard of this happening before, but the only explanation I can think of is that it is a defective wire. As said above, they simply snap into place and should stay put.
If you still have receipts, see what kind of warranty replacement is available.

[12Ounce]

You may want to remove that plug (make sure engine is cold) and inspect it. Could be the plug tip is damaged.

Remember, on installing plugs ... not much torque please! Only 8 ftlbs or so, not much required!

[rhonsman]

update: the exhaust manifold was loose (had a loose bolt) and the heat that escaped would heat/burn the spark plug wire and cause the wire to slip off the plug.

[tripletdaddy]

I always look for the plug wire to "click" on to the plug and then pull on it to be sure it is snug and won't come off. Brand new connectors that are too loose and don't have that definite click on, I close it just a little with pliers.