Damaged spark plug wire - engine rattling/rough idle

[Bob Marley]

Hello everyone,

The car (2002 Ford Galaxy 2.3L petrol)  was shaking on startup and had a rough idle.

I noticed a damaged spark plug wire (photo attached)/no longer connected to the coil pack  (connection 1).
The engine was loud, violently rattling.
Also, a burning smell, more noticeable in the cabin.

Replacing the spark plugs and wires did nothing. Rough idling is lower in neutral, disappears when accelerating and at around 2rpm.

Any ideas what to else to check? How can the spark plug wire break like this in the first place?
I don't have the tools to test the coil pack, but looking to get a new one.

Would be very grateful for any comments on this!

[johnnyroper]

Looks an odd thing to have happened to that lead,like something has rubbed it through??
I would hazard a guess and say the coil pack is probably knackered now

[brianh]

Does sound like the coil pack to me, though might be worth checking the leads are on the right terminals as you've had them off to replace them.

If that doesn't help, its likely your coil pack or the wiring to it, assuming you know the plugs are ok (would assume you have changed them at the same time as doing the leads?)

If you want to test, then a spark tester can be used, though with the deep holes on the galaxy plugs you'd struggle to see it, easier to swap the coil pack and see if that helps.