1996 850 - Spark plug wire seating

Volvo Tank · Post by **Volvo Tank** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:35

I installed a new set of wires on my car a few days ago (Bosch)....when I took off the old wires they fit on the distributor cap pretty tightly, and fairly far down the plugs. When I installed the new set, the plugs fit on kind of mushy...they didnt go down as far as the previous set, and when you try to push them on farther, they kind of spring back.

I also threw a 2nd cylinder misfire today out of nowhere...and I am wondering if that could be part of the problem.

Any thoughts?

Post by **rmmagow** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:40

I think the problem is Bosch, you should use Bougicord (sp?) wires on your car. Seriously better wires and last 10 years.

Post by **rmmagow** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:41

And VOLVO plugs. Bosch for cap and rotor.

Volvo Tank · Post by **Volvo Tank** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:43

plugs are volvo

also my post sounds kind of confusing...on the spark plugs, they fit fine

its on the distributor plugs / nipples / whatever they are, that they are mushy

Post by **rmmagow** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:56

Yeah, I think I know what you're saying, they just don't give you a good "click" feeling when seating them, is that right? The misfire, if you haven't been getting that, is most likely the wire issue. You might want to try twisting back and forth a little while pressing down. How's the cap? Check inside the holes to be sure there's nothing bent in there. Do you have a spare cap? You could try screwing with the wires to see if they'll seat better. Sounds like the cap ends just aren't seating properly. And seriously, the other wires are better. I was surprised by that since I always thought Bosch was the best stuff but the bougicord wires and Volvo just get along really well. Fiddle around, you'll get them to seat better, you want to feel almost a click when they seat.

Volvo Tank · Post by **Volvo Tank** » 12 Mar 2014, 13:59

you have it exactly right. and yea, never had a misfire before until i installed these guys.

i have fiddled around with these things a TON and they have never come close to that satisfying "click"

i have absolutely no problem throwing these in the trash and getting the bougicord if you guys think that will fix the issue

Volvo Tank · Post by **Volvo Tank** » 12 Mar 2014, 14:01

forgot to mention, cap looks fine...and i doubt anything is bent. the issue is with every wire

Post by **Ben850** » 12 Mar 2014, 16:29

Bougicord (fr.) And I bet that would fix it. The previous owner of my wagon has some nifty silicone wires that might even be IPD but I have a set of Bougicord on order to remedy that.
They are also date stamped on each cable which is nice to know.

Volvo Tank · Post by **Volvo Tank** » 12 Mar 2014, 16:52

sold

thanks gentlemen!