Annually or every 20,000 km.
Checking the condition of the spark plug wires should be done regularly at recommended intervals and each time the spark plugs are replaced.
Start this procedure with an external inspection of the wires with the engine running. In a darkened garage (make sure the room is well ventilated) start the engine and carefully inspect each wire. Avoid touching the moving parts of the engine. If there is a break, the wire will spark at the point of damage. In this case, replace the wires, then let the engine cool down.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
If your car's radio is equipped with an anti-theft system, make sure you have entered the correct code before disconnecting the battery.
If, after connecting the battery, the inscriptions on the instrument panel appear in the wrong language, refer to Section Anti-theft audio system and instrument panel language, for instructions on how to set the desired language.
2. In order to avoid confusion during installation, the BB wires should be checked one by one.
3. Disconnect the BB wire from the spark plug. Do not pull on the wire, just the connector.
4. Inspect the interior of the connector for corrosion, which appears as a white fluffy powder. Connect the wire with the connector to the tail of the spark plug. The connector should tightly network onto the shank. If this cannot be achieved, remove the wire again and use pliers to correct the position of the terminal inside the connector.
5. With a clean rag, wipe the wires from the outside along the entire length, removing adhering dirt and grease from them. After cleaning, check the wire for burn marks, cracks, and other damage. Do not bend the wire at sharp angles, because. this can lead to breakage of the conductor.
6. Disconnect the BB wire from the distributor. Don't forget to pull on the connector only. Check it for corrosion and connect in the same way as the spark plug wire. Replace distributor wire if necessary.
7. Check the remaining wires of the spark plugs, and after checking, make sure that each of them is securely attached to the distributor and the spark plug.
8. If the spark plug wires need to be replaced, buy a wire set specifically designed for your engine model. The kits include wires of the desired length and with installed connectors. Remove and replace the BB wires one at a time to avoid confusion in the order of the cylinders when they are installed.
8. Loosen the screws or open the clips, then remove the distributor cover.
9. Loosen the screws (if they exist) and remove the slider from the shaft.
10. Check the distributor cap and runner for signs of wear, cracks, carbon marks, and worn, burnt, or loose contacts. If defects are found, replace the cap or slider.
The illustration above shows some of the common distributor cap defects to look out for when inspecting
11. It is customary to replace the cap and slider each time the spark plug wires are replaced. When installing a new cover one at a time, disconnect the BB wires from the old cover and connect them to the new one in exactly the same order - never disconnect all the wires at the same time to avoid confusion in the order of operation of the cylinders when they are installed.
The slider arm should be checked for wear and corrosion as shown in the picture above (if in doubt about its condition, buy a new slider)