Spark Plug Wires

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   Ok… I am taking advantage of people much smarter than I!

What were the original wires that were installed on my 1999 HO PCM?
I would like to know to see if mine are original.

Are there OEM wires available?

Now the hornets nest…What wires give better performance, and why?

Is the wire selection predicated on the type of spark plug selected?

Over time (what quantity of time?) how does the wire degrade, and given a good running engine, and  how can you tell?

Thanks Everyone!

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Otto Throttle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: October-02-2017 Location: Cleveland OH Status: Offline Points: 405	Post Options Post Reply Quote Otto Throttle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Spark Plug Wires Posted: March-06-2025 at 9:49pm
	Ok… I am taking advantage of people much smarter than I! What were the original wires that were installed on my 1999 HO PCM? I would like to know to see if mine are original. Are there OEM wires available? Now the hornets nest…What wires give better performance, and why? Is the wire selection predicated on the type of spark plug selected? Over time (what quantity of time?) how does the wire degrade, and given a good running engine, and how can you tell? Thanks Everyone!
	Otto

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11212	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-07-2025 at 7:54am
	Here's a picture of some original wires for your boat. The picture should look really, really familiar. They 'say PCM marine suppressor cable on them. They're 8 mm with suppressor core wire with silicone outer covering. The new ones are a different color these days PCM still sells them, check NP, SkiDim.etc. They'll be the right lengths to fit with marine exhaust manifolds. Just like your plugs, no need for anything fancier on YOUR engine but you can spend more if you feel like it. The wires resistance is measured in ohms per foot and since they're different lengths, there'll be some big differences in resistance from your longest wire to the shortest. This big difference has no effect on the wire or ignition systems performance The metal ends are more likely to get corrosion on them and cause issues, than having wire issues unless you crushed or broke the wires themselves

Otto Throttle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: October-02-2017 Location: Cleveland OH Status: Offline Points: 405	Post Options Post Reply Quote Otto Throttle Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-08-2025 at 12:07pm
	Thank you very much, Keno! I will pick up an extra set of those just to have on hand. I know one time on my mercury outboard. I tried changing wires to what I thought was an upgraded wire kit, and the engine did not like them! Will be getting my boat out of storage in the next month, but I am pretty sure they are the yellow wires. Thank you thank you thank you.
	Otto

KENO Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Grand Poobah Joined: June-06-2004 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 11212	Post Options Post Reply Quote KENO Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: March-08-2025 at 7:06pm
	Otto.....you should be pretty sure they're yellow since the picture I posted was your engine from the "Red check engine light" thread. You didn't ask for a PCM part number, but here's one anyway. RK120016, they're not yellow any more, but it's what they sell as the right replacement.

Spark Plug Wires

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