Is it true?

[cruza]

hi all, is it true that using the wrong spark plugs, ie. use a non resistor plug when you should use a resistor type can kill some of the electrics in your instrument cluster?

[Richard B]

It pretty unlikely that it would destroy anything. Non-resistor plugs can cause the high voltage parts of your ignition to throw out more electro-magnetic interference, which supposedly can interfere with sensors and circuitry in your engine management. The mostly likely thing you would notice is buzzing in your audio system.

The main component affected will be your engine itself.

Resistor plugs create a slightly longer, tempered ignition spark inside the cylinder, and if your engine is designed with that in mind (it is), the engine management will assume such a plug is installed, and set up the combustion stroke accordingly. If a different type of spark is then introduced, the combustion process will not work as planned and that in turn will misinform the engine management. This will then try compensate fuel timing and spark retardation, but never quite get things right. If the spark is too hot and short, a smart engine management will probably realise something is not right with the spark, and generate an ignition fault code.

I haven't run the experiment on a Honda with engine management and lean burn combustion, only on older cars.