Most American cars use a carbon core wire (resistance over full length) and
resistor spark plugs. The VW uses stranded copper or tinned stranded copper
and the Vanagon originally had resisters on both ends. The spark plugs were
non resistor. There should also be a metal or carbon plastic cover on the
distributor cap. The VW wires rarely go bad although I have seen the ends
fail a number of times. They are easily replaced. 

Most Vanagon miss-fires are due to what is known as a lean miss-fire. The
cylinders are a bit off balance and the leaner cylinder will actually fail
to fire. This also creates those high hydrocarbon emissions that often
result in failed emissions tests. Some miss is not avoidable. Trouble
shooting consists of vacuum leaks, compression and leak down test, ignition,
and then fuel delivery-injector balance. 

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dave Arthur
Sent: Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:10 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 WBX Ignition System

I am trying to track down some misfire issues and I have a few questions
about the 2.1 WBX ignition system.
It seems quite conventional, the ECU pulses the coil, the spark goes to the
distributor and then on to the plugs.
I believe the plug wires are solid core and the RF suppression is done
through a metal shielded resistor/shroud that connects to the plugs. This
seems rather complex, considering that most vehicles use resistive wires and
rubber boots/connectors on the plugs.

So what would happen If I got a set of �conventional� wires and hooked them
up without the metal spark plug connectors? I may be missing something quite
important.

Puzzled

Dave

�86 Westy