Thread: Distributorcap/spark plug cable connector broke off?! Wtf?

So, this morning I found that my Pulsar NX wouldn't start anymore.
After checking the ignition system, I found out that one of the cables had come off.

When I tried to plug it back in, I noticed that the connector in it (metal plug) was gone. When I checked the dizzy, it turned out that the nub (what's the word?) on which the cable should attach was gone as well.

Does anyone have any idea as to how this would be possible?

The cap and cables have only been replaced a year ago. The rest of the cap and cables look fine.

I haven't had the chance to check the rotor, though, but I don't think that's the culprit.

Not sure where the missing pe could have gone, but I've seen plenty of cheap spark plug wires fail even right out of the box.

Well, the rest looks fine, it's just that one of the terminals (that's the word I was looking for!) is gone. Just broke off. Which would make it logical that the piece of the cable would be gone as well.


Also, another question:

Would a car start when the first cilinder is not getting any spark? I know it would if the second or third is gone (which is the case with my NX2K), but I think there was something special about the first cilinder.

Somethimes the spark from the broken wire will screw with things and prevent it from starting, never noticed if order mattered though

I'll post a pic in a few hours.

Okay, days.



Anyhoo, replaced the cap with one I had lying around, and replaced all wires, but still nothing.

Now, I just figured out I had the cylinder order all wrong, but now my battery has almost no power. I can't really find an answer on Google, but a weak battery causes a weak (or no) spark, yes?

Also, I know it does spark, because the ignition lead gives off a spark when held near a grounded part of the car. However, it's an orange spark, and not a bright blue one.

wow that cap is toast!

try swapping in another battery, our cars do not like weak batteries.

Yeah, I figured as much.

The inside is still unscathed, though, no failed rotor or whatever.

The battery held out quite long, though, sometimes cranking over a minute.

I might have flooded it though, but not sure. I think I have the cables installed correctly now, but like I said, no more power in the battery.


I'll ask a friend if he can give me a jump with startercables this week though.


EDIT: That's a lot of "though"s...

or try push starting it an popping the clutch

To me it looks like the wire was loose or bad and caused some arcing, which eventually destroyed the cap. Get a new OEM cap and rotor and some nice wires and you should be good for a few years.

And yes, if the battery is dead, the motor will not turn over or not enough spark to start the car.