Town & Country Van AWD V6-230 3.8L VIN L SMFI (1998)
Ignition Cable: Description and Operation
NOTE: Spark Plug cables are sometimes referred to as "secondary ignition wires".
PURPOSE
Transfer electrical current from the coil to the individual spark plugs at each cylinder.
Resistance type cables are used to suppress Radio Frequency Interference (RFI), from the ignition system.
CONSTRUCTION
The spark plug cables and spark plug boots are made from high temperature silicone materials.
Heat Shields
The spark plug boots utilize metal heat shields for thermal protection from the exhaust manifold.
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The heat shields slide over the spark plug boots.
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The notches on the heat shields ensure the spark plug boot and shield twist together during spark plug boot removal.
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They also identify proper heat shield installation on the boot for service.
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All spark plug cable leads are properly identified with cylinder numbers.
Reusing and Installing Heat Shields
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The spark plug heat shield can be reused if an ignition cable is replaced due to failure.
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Never reuse heat shield's that have heat shield anti-twist, side or spark plug attachment tabs bent or missing.
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Ensure that the heat shield is properly attached to the spark plug to avoid RFI problems.
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The bottom of the spark plug heat shield must make contact with the spark plug hex.
Silicone Grease
The inside of the spark plug boot is coated with a special high temperature silicone grease for greater sealing and to minimize boot bonding to the
spark plug insulator.
The convoluted tubing on the rear plug cables are made of a high temperature plastic material.
Service Life
Under normal driving conditions, the spark plug cables have a recommended service life of a 100,000 miles. The spark plugs have a recommended
service life of 75,000 miles for severe driving conditions.
CAUTION: The front ignition cables must not make contact with the oil dip stick tube and #5 cable must not touch the coil mounting bolt to avoid
abrasion/dielectric failures.
