Electric Shock when touching carb? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Joelk · 10-20-2009, 04:08 PM

A friend was helping me work on my 79 El Tigre. We had it running and he touched the carb and got a slight shock. He touched it again and said it shocked him pretty hard. Said it was not like a shock directly from Spark Plug Wire but a pretty strong shock.

Everything was dry and the plug wires were not contacting the motor or carb anywhere.

Any idea what would cause this and how to fix?

Thanks, Joel

**RJ Gleason** · 10-20-2009, 04:24 PM

leakage at the wire end cap.

Joelk · 10-20-2009, 08:21 PM

The plug wires have brand new NGK ends on them, installed with an ample amout of dielectric grease.

These are the NGK wire ends made of hard plastic with rubber seals. Do they not work well?

Any other suggestions how to cure?

Polaris87 · 10-20-2009, 09:22 PM

dont tune carbs when engine is running hahahah. Don't you read warning stickers?...

"Never operate snowmobile with engine hood open."

Ultrafrozen · 10-21-2009, 09:42 AM

Maybe you ran over the trouble light electrical cord!

**RJ Gleason** · 10-21-2009, 06:39 PM

Check where the wires come out of the mag, you might have a bare wire.

Joelk · 10-22-2009, 09:29 PM

All the wires appear to be in great shape and the insulation is completely intact. Could be bad inside the engine, but all wires outside the motor look good.

**smallengineguy** · 10-22-2009, 09:46 PM

The coil could be cracked/arcing. Run it with all lights off in a dark area to see if you can see the arc.

Waters88 · 10-22-2009, 09:55 PM

I agree with smallengineguy, I had that exact issue with my 72 polaris 340... tested it outside in the dark one night after a while, and could see the blue streak jumping around.

**RJ Gleason** · 10-23-2009, 02:29 AM

Another way to test it is to take a spray bottle with water and gently spritz the wiring, if it starts to stumble or run rough, you have found the problem.

Joelk · 10-23-2009, 08:36 AM

Thanks for the replies.

I'll try the operation in the dark, and/or water spray.

If I see/find arcing coming from the plug wires, is there a cure that is less expensive than replacing the coils? (wires permanently attached to the coils)

Would a couple layers of heat shrink tubing provide good insulation?

**RJ Gleason** · 10-23-2009, 09:39 AM

That would work, and if you ever do replace the coil, put some on the new one to prevent rubbing of the wire.

**smallengineguy** · 10-23-2009, 10:00 PM

You can pick up new coils, wires and all for about $25 ea.

Joelk · 10-24-2009, 09:35 AM

I assumed the coils would cost a lot more than that, but have not checked.

I assume $25 is for aftermarket coils?

Are the aftermarket coils good quality?

What are the best places to get good prices on parts like these?

**RJ Gleason** · 10-24-2009, 07:05 PM

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