How to Replace Spark Plug Wiring on a '97 Cadillac
If your '97 Cadillac has started to idle rough, has difficulty starting when it rains or is humid out, or if you can see blue sparks coming from the spark-plug wire when you raise the hood and turn the engine over, it is time to replace the spark-plug wiring. It doesn't matter what type of '97 Cadillac you have: Catera, DeVille, Eldorado or Seville, the process to replace the spark-plug wiring is the same. It only takes about 20 minutes to do the job and all you need is a crescent wrench and a new set of spark-plug wires for your model Cadillac.
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Instructions
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1
Park your '97 Cadillac on a level surface. Turn off the engine. Engage the parking brake and open the hood.
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2
Loosen the retaining bolt holding the negative battery cable on the negative (-) battery post and disconnect the cable from the battery.
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3
Remove the end of one spark-plug wire from its spark plug by grabbing the boot of the wire (the thicker part of the wire) that covers the plug end and pulling it off.
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4
Follow that wire up to where it connects to the distributor cap. Grab the boot covering the connection and pull the wire off the distributor connection.
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5
Open your new spark-plug wires and separate them. Match the old wire you just removed with one of the new ones (by length and shape of the boot on each end).
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6
Replace the old wire you just removed with the new one by pushing the boot on each end of the new wire onto the distributor connection and the spark-plug end. Wiggle the boot to make sure it is on tightly before proceeding to replace the next wire.
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Tips & Warnings
Work on one wire at a time so you do not confuse the firing order (which spark plug gets connected to which connection on the distributor cap).
Spark-plug wire sets are designed for specific makes and models of cars. If you purchase a set that is not made for your model 1997 Cadillac it may not fit or, it may fit but not be adequately insulated to withstand the heat of your engine, causing the wires to short out.
References
- Photo Credit spark image by Zbigniew Nowak from Fotolia.com
