Radio Static after changing plug/wires

[rxctrs]

After 87000 miles, I decided to change the original plugs in my 2000 2wd Supercab Ranger. Did not have any problems that suggested that it needed to be done, but just looked at maintenance schedule, and it was time.

Bought 8 Bosch platinum plugs and set of Bosch plug wires from Rockauto, and spent 3 hours figuring how to get the old wires off and the old plugs out. Some wires came apart when the boots were pulled, so it was indeed time to change them.

Got everything reinstalled (thanks for tips to everyone), and started the truck. Everything sounded OK, but the idle was varying a bit, and when I turned on the FM radio, I now have ignition noise (probably just one wire, not steady, sometimes maybe even 2 wires).

Went back to the plugs, and re-seated all the wires, both on the plugs and on the distributor cap/thing. I noticed that the connectors on the distributor were very difficult to seat. The new wires came with a liberal amount of dielectric grease on the caps, and it looks like the grease keeps the air locked inside the cap, so the locking devices do not want to stay locked. They keep trying to pop off.

Does anyone have any tricks to "burp" the caps to make them seat properly? Should I just wipe all the grease out of them?

 

[swynx]

whenever i do plugs and wires i barely use any grease. just wipe the surface with some, thatll be enough to keep everything happy. i check them once a year and add some. they dont need gobs of grease, that glob of grease isnt going to do any thing. when i did my plugs and a new distributor last time i actualley put the wires on distributor before i installed it in the vehicle.

 

[enjr44]

Is there a noise suppressor hanging (condenser/capacitor) mounted on the coil pack? I know my 91 has one. I have never checked to see if the 02 does. If it got disconnected while you were doing maintenance you can get radio noise from the ignition. My 91 has the condenser mounted on a bolt with a pigtail going someplace (granddaughter has the 91, so I can’t check it).
Anyway, it just something to check.
Ed

 

[rxctrs]

Enjr44 - Thanks for the hint. I will check for a suppressor on the pack. I did not notice anything.

I think I will try to remove all the excess dieletric grease and see if it gets the caps to seat better. I just looked at them again, and it appears that they want to pop off. The plastic latches that fit over them are not working well, at all - they click into place, but then quickly pop off and let the cap rise up. I wonder if this is a "feature" of the Bosch wires, or whether it also exists on the Motorcraft wires. I still have the old wires and will see if they have any issues seating.

 

[swynx]

i remember having to squeeze the sides with one hand and push down with another hand and releasing the sides to prevent them from popping off, ironically they are just as hard to get off now...

 

[straycat]

I used the same wires several years ago when I changed plug wires on my 99 Ranger. Yours are resister type plug wires right?

 

[bmerr98]

I had a similar problem a while back when I changed plugs and wires. Used Denso plugs and 8mm store brand wires. Fired it up and had that ticking/radio static noise. Did some reading and the basic consensus was that our Rangers like Motorcraft products. I don't know why or what it is, but there's a difference.

I kept the Denso plugs for the time being, but pulled the old (original) Motorcraft wires out of the trash and reinstalled them. No more radio noise. Go figure.

 

[Kowboy]

****** I just bought a set of Bosch Opti-Layer Mag wires. I also got Motorcraft plugs. Store did not have Motorcraft wire sets. Going on my 2000 3.0 and I hate to hurt the sound of my radio. I think I have a great sounding radio right now. Does this sound like the set giving others here problems?

 

[bmerr98]

Rockauto.com has Motorcraft wires, plugs, anything you need.

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