Alright....my idle was fluctuating, I had no power, my car was bogging. Got it hooked up for free and founf out cylinder #1 was not firing due to an ignition wire short. This explains why it would sometimes work properly. Anyway, they wanted to charge over $200 to replace it...so I'm thinking I'll do it myself.

Now, I have a few questions for you guys:

Which cylinder is #1?
Should i replace all wires?
How much are wires?
How do i do this [i know they just pull out....but what else do i need to know]?
Anyhting else?

thanks!

 

Looking at the engine, the #1 cylinder is the left most cylinder or the last plug wire away from the distributor, which is the plastic housing on the right side of the engine with five ignition wires coming out of it. If you never replaced spark plugs before, take care in how you pull out the wire. Pull the wire off the plugs by the boot, not the wire itself. Also when replacing the wires, don't remove them all at once because you won't remember where they go. Instead pull the old one off and replace with the new wire of the same length. Do the same for the other three (3) and you'll be fine. The coil wire is easy, no mistaking that one. It's the wire coming out of the middle of the distributor.
Depending on the brand of wire, you can spend anywhere between $10 to $30.00 for a set. It's just a matter of preference. I have a set of NGK wires purchased about 4 years ago and they're still good. I do a resistance check on them every time I change my plugs. And while you're at it you might as well spring for new plugs as well. Again, depending on the brand you can pay anywhere between 88 cents to $5.00 a plug. I always buy the Bosch Platinums (part number 4202) at about $2.00 a plug. Lastly, replace the distributor and rotor. Expect to pay anywhere between $15 to $30.00 for the kit. If you have any problems let me know. I hope this helps you out.

 

2 words:

Haynes
Manual

 

thanks a ton....shopping for the stuff now

 

Once again I agree with you on the manual. GET THE MANUAL! These are basic questions that don't need to be asked here. The Haynes manual costs about $15 here locally. Pro2Go gets his for $10 where he lives. That local auto parts store book made specifically for you car is an invaluable tool. Ok, now to add something about your problem. If after you do the above, you still have problems, see if you're distributor is the problem. Hopefully it's not or the problem gets more expensive. Get the manual so you can find where the stuff is and how to take it off. I hope your problem gets corrected cheap.

 

i hate to be the advocating *******, but i do believe this forum is the one for general maintinence. as is the "MANUAL!" you speak of. i think it is quite appropriate to post the question here, seeing as how it has to do with general maintinence. again, thank you 'Ghost' for your help. hopefully my pro will be fixed soon.

 

Wow, the moron's bible for ignorant car repair. STFU n00b. the haynes manual is CRAP. it ia ******* worthless. here d/l a real manual.

http://216.67.239.18/~gtx/pn/modules...download&cid=1

the last d/l on the page North Americian BG Protege.

STFU. Haynes manual... phfft. morons...