Wierd Ignition Timing Spark Issue

[Cuong Nguyen]

background info:

I have a dead #1 and #6 cylinder....meaning I have no compression whatsoever.

 

Well hooked up my timing light to number 1 spark plug wire and I am not getting any light from the gun. I pull the wire off the plug and I'm now getting light from the gun. I also hear the plug wire arcing too. I put the wire back on the plug and the light stops strobing. I test all the plug wires and they work normal except, you guessed it, #6. What on earth is going on and happening here?

[unccpathfinder]

well the firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6 so I wonder if your getting a double arc between 6 and 1 (ie maybe a worn rotor or cap)....I'd start basic and change the plugs, plug wires, cap and rotor and see what happens...if not replace at least inspect (ie resistance check on the plug wires) and visually inspect the plugs, cap and rotor...also inspect that the plugs are pushed on the cap good

[Cuong Nguyen]

I'll see if switching wires around changes anything. Trying to avoid spending money at the moment on the Pathfinder. Maybe there's a dead rat under the cap.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Holy, crap. I didn't know spark plug wires were so damn expensive! I'm searching around online for cheaper sets!

[Kingman]

$30-40 for a set of NGKs is expensive?

[adamzan]

I paid 18 dollars on rockauto for a set of "autolite" brand ones about a year ago and haven't had any issues.

[Cuong Nguyen]

I checked with the parts store and it was like $60+ Online is another store.

I found some wires off the xterra motor that I had in my parts bin. Need to get around to testing it.

[Indigent]

if your spark plug gap is way off that might cause what you are seeing. I would pull the problem plugs and check if the gap is either too much or if they are even touching.