Found these 2 explanations in other forums about Spark Plug Wire Resistance and Ohms.
Here is the first:
200 (ohm)
2K (2,000 ohm)
20K (20,000 ohm)
200K (200,000 ohm)
2M (2,000,000 ohm)
20M (20,000,000 ohm)
5.5 on a 20k or 200k scale is 5.5k ohms
If you're reading something that is very low resistance, like a light bulb or a piece of wire, select the lowest (200 ohm). You'll probably get something close to zero (0) ohms for a wire, a little higher for a light bulb (measuring the filament).
The higher scales are for measuring things that have a higher resistance. You can measure the resistance of your skin between two points on your finger. Use the highest scale (20M) because there is a lot of resistance there. 3-12 meg-ohms is typical, and will be higher if you use points farther away because there'll be more resistance.
Measuring spark plug wires, use the lowest scale to get a reading. If you use too low a scale, you will get an "over-range" indication (if it's digital, or DMM). If it's analog (needle), it'll just read full scale. Use the lowest scale that gives a reading. 8-15K (8,000 - 15,000) will be typical, depending upon length and type of the wire, but could be as low as a few hundred ohms per foot, or even lower. Then you'd use the 2K or 20K scale.
Here is the second:
Things You'll Need:
* Volt meter tester
* Dielectric grease
* WD-40
* Rags or shop paper towels
1.
Step 1
Remove only one wire at a time. If it is a used wire, start out by wiping down the wire with WD-40, since your visual inspection will be easier with a clean wire. Be sure the metal clips within the boots at each end of the wire are clean, corrosion free and in good condition.
2.
Step 2
Typical volt meter tester
Typical volt meter tester
Prepare your tester and set up on the OHM test section on the meter at 20,000, or 20k.
3.
Step 3
Measure the length of the wire, since the length is a factor you must know to determine test results. To test, hold the positive, or red, probe into one end, being sure to have contact with the metal clip in the boot and the negative, or black, probe into the other end.
4.
Step 4
Your readings may jump around at first but should stabilize after a few moments. A shorter wire with a length of 12 inches may test out between 6.00 to 7.00 ohms and a longer wire of 30 inches may measure out between 9.00 and 11.00. A 24-inch wire may come in between 7.50 and 9.00 ohms. All of the above readings would put you in a normal range. Any reading less than 6.00, regardless of the length, would represent low resistance, and that wire would be best off replaced.(i'm not to sure about that last statement. My MSD's measured .70 and the Acel's 1.9. If you get very high reading or a wire that has readings that are not around the same as the others, the wire should be replaced.)
5.
Step 5
If your readings are satisfactory and you are going to install the wires, apply a small amount of dielectric grease on the inner portion of the metal clips within the boot to help insure the boot will not get stuck to the plug and to prevent arcing.
6.
Step 6
Install your wire back to the plug and location on the distributor cap from which it came and be sure that the wire is secure at both ends. You may tug on it a bit after installation to be sure you have a proper fit. If you have a problem securing a connection, sometimes you can work with a needle-nose pliers to reshape the metal clips within the boots for a more secure fit.
More:
The "k" is scientific notation shorthand for 1000, and means to move the decimal point 3 places to the right, and insert zero's as needed. So, 5.5k is the same as 5500. The other common symbols you might run into are "m", or 1 million, which means move the decimal point six places to the right, and "g", or 1 billion. You see this stuff a lot in computer lingo, e.g. a typical compuer might contain 1 million bytes of memory, abbreviated 1Mb: = 1 mega byte, or 1 million bytes.
Hope this helps other people.
