Burned out ignition wires

[vette eaterr]

I've ben having a problem with my igition wires burning out after about 15,000 miles. When i change them the inner core wire is almost all burned up. I changed out the coils and it doesn't happen as often now but still happens any ideas?

[LMP]

Originally Posted by vette eaterr

.... ignition wires burning out after about 15,000 miles. ...the inner core wire is almost all burned up...any ideas?

I'm wondering what you mean exactly by "burned up"...Since these are "resistor" type conductors, there is no "wire" as such but rather a kind of carbon filled/soaked string that, when measured with an ohmmeter, will procure about 10,000 ohms of resistance on a typical length wire. This is done in order to cut radio interference. It does degrade with time and moisture however, specially loosing contact with the end connectors and thus will show increased resistance of 100,000 ohms and even much more after a few years, specially if manipulated frequently.

[vette eaterr]

Originally Posted by LMP

I'm wondering what you mean exactly by "burned up"...Since these are "resistor" type conductors, there is no "wire" as such but rather a kind of carbon filled/soaked string that, when measured with an ohmmeter, will procure about 10,000 ohms of resistance on a typical length wire. This is done in order to cut radio interference. It does degrade with time and moisture however, specially loosing contact with the end connectors and thus will show increased resistance of 100,000 ohms and even much more after a few years, specially if manipulated frequently.

That is true, what is happening in regular intervals is the carbon string inside the insulator is gone. The engine begins to miss fire is how i know they have failed. And it's never the same wire sometimes it's #1 or could be #4. the wires are degradeing after 15,000mi, moisture isn't an issue, nor isd exessive handleing, and when an ohm meter is put on there isn't even a reading, no contact(with the burnt wire). I was thinking it might be the ignition modual, but my local advance auto, and auto zone say the can not test it. A new one is about $280. So for the time being i have been just replaceing the wires.

[LMP]

SOmewhat unusual I think but anyway, I cannot figure out a scenario where problem coil packs may influence that and since there are three, it would be a coincidence all of them would have same problem. I'm puzzled...I'm just wondering if excessive spark plug gap (that require a higher initial voltage) might cause wire insulation breakage ...or did you use resistor type spark plugs (not needed because the wires are already resistor) . ....Happy new year.

[vette eaterr]

Originally Posted by LMP

SOmewhat unusual I think but anyway, I cannot figure out a scenario where problem coil packs may influence that and since there are three, it would be a coincidence all of them would have same problem. I'm puzzled...I'm just wondering if excessive spark plug gap (that require a higher initial voltage) might cause wire insulation breakage ...or did you use resistor type spark plugs (not needed because the wires are already resistor) . ....Happy new year.

Well the coil packs are new. wires, plugs (platium) also a note my Dad's car which is a 97 Bonneaville with the same 3.8 engine does the same thing, just not a often. I set the gaps when i installed new plugs, the plugs are about 30,000 old now, think the gaps would have changed enough in 15,000 to cause the problem? Well i'll pull them out and see.
Would an ignition modual do somethig like this? Could possibly the alternator is going bad and running to much volts/amps? I'm also goin to try and pull out the modual and make sure all the contacts are clean, worth a shot.

Thanks,
Bob