Was reaching my hand down beside the main wire from the coil to the dist. cap with the engine running and could feel some of the current seek a path through my hand.

Is this normal? Or do I have not so good ground in the car? Main strap to firewall is on tight. Car runs fine. Wires (read: insulation) is fine.

Just something to avoid while working in there? I know that thing is juiced!

Thanks

-

Pete
1993/244/152k

P.S. If normal, why does everyone go shootin' carb cleaner and such looking for leaks...seems, well... gutsy?

You should inspect the coil wire for any physical deterioration. SOmetimes they rub against things like that front line on the master cylinder (esp if they have lost the little clip). The wire insulation *should* be good enough to keep you from getting nailed, as long as things are dry and there are no cracks or splits. I still wouldn't make a habit of holding onto the thing.

The car is operating as it should; it's possible that the coil wire does have some damage and since it's sold separately, you should replace it if you find any.
--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: 86 244DL, 87 244DL, 88 744GLE, 91 244: 808K total

"The car is operating as it should; it's possible that the coil wire does have some damage and since it's sold separately, you should replace it if you find any. "

And then retest, right? No. Don't retest, just kidding.

Anyway, I agree the wire should be replaced for as wary as I should be letting body come into contact with the ignition secondary wiring, however well covered, I do quite often without feeling anything. Then I'm always surprised and attribute the good wires maintained in mama's dishwasher. 'Course you might say I'm an unfeeling sort of person. But seriously, there is some leakage there that shouldn't be. Somewhere in my tool collection I have a tester that is basically a neon bulb in a stick that glows when you get near leakage in the ignition secondary. Wide plug gaps and rotor/cap wear contribute to the voltage available for leaking.

When I really want to feel the shock, I just pull a plug wire barehanded to see if the cylinder's live!

--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

I am shocked, SHOCKED!...that you would do such a thing...sounds pretty normal, I wouldn't worry...Dee Jay

Note the the route of all the high tension ignition wires is such that they do not touch anything metal. With 40,000 volts whipping through them, any little route to ground will be found and used.

fortunate for you that the wires are in good shape. If the insulation was in poor shape you might have been knocked down, or worse.

There is no problem with your car.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)