Spark plug tester

[gblj]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

 

[Blue Jay]

Spark is Spark no matter the source, make sure the kill wire is not shorted, if not then time to look deeper.

 

[T.R.K.]

I'm not saying that you will never see a spark from that tester when cranking an engine, but that kind of tester with the bulb in it is best used to see if the coil is firing regulary/steadily after the engine is running. When I test for a spark on a non-running engine, I use a tester where the spark has to jump a gap between two electrodes. This tells you if the coil is capable of producing a spark at cranking speeds. Cranking speed is usually slower than running speed.

 

[Indiana Ken]

I find it is some times hard to see the spark jump in a well lighted room, outside in sunshine etc. Especially, when one is trying to pull a rope, focus on the tester, while not falling down. Might dim the lights, wait until dusk and see if there is spark.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

All that tester does is tell you the event happen it does not tell you the health of the spark. Small engines normally produce a weaker spark I think that tester at the least will show the event happen. I would never trust it to prove the health of the spark just show the event happen. That tester is eye candy don't trust it. If the event happen up next would be a adjustable gap spark tester.

Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

 

[gblj]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[RobCons]

I have one like that. It works on small pull to start engines but you have to be in a dark area.

 

[Fixingfarmer]

It can be very dim. Hook it to your pickup truck once that is running and get an idea what you are looking at. They will work on just about anything it’s a good way to tell if you have a functioning coil that’s about it it says nothing about the plug itself really I have always thought the name was a bit misleading.

But it tells you alot about the coil and if there’s a long spark plug wire you are testing that a bit as well I have had one fool me the wire was still bad.

I have done something somewhat naughty the last 15 years or so if I can’t get anything off the tester there is a snap on-led test light I’ve had for a very long time and it lights up if you get anything there. I know voltage is supposed to be super high coming out the coil and I’m surprised it still works but in a pinch if I really wanted to know and was suspicious of the 5 dollar tester it lights up like a Christmas tree. Just clamp alligator end on the plug and try to balance the probe end in the plug wire without touching it

It’s been the only test light I’ve had in that amount of time other than those cheap spark plug testers so it must not be too bad for it. Probably 10 times or so I’ve resorted to that

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

Can't tell from the picture. Does it connect from the coil wire to the spark plug or probe to the head? If to the plug it needs a complete circuit and the problem could be the plug.

 

[4wdtom]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

Briggs and Stratton makes a nice one that clips to a ground, put the plug wire on it and see the spark through a clear plastic window.

 

[Hobo,NC]

A little more on the subject. There are a few good videos on youtube. When I get time I will look for one in the mean time replace the spark plug : ) as I have been bit by a spark plug on a small engine. I prefer an adjustable spark checker over the light,

D

Thread 'Spark tester light,,,,hello Hobo NC'

Mar 13, 2018

I've read Hobo NC's description of"inline"and"adjustable"spark testers and still don't fully grasp a couple of things. #1.Why do I need both inline and adjustable test lights? Can't the adjustable capture"the event" AND "show spark health"? #2. While using the"adjustable"how are we to know how many KV is sufficient for various tractors,engines as well as 6volt and 12 volt systems? Thanks for clearification about this.

• da.bees
• Replies: 2
• Forum: Ford

https://xfdev.yesterdaystractors.com/index.php?threads/1415034/

R

Thread 'spark plug tester instruction sheet'

Jun 2, 2015

Ok, I need to know this in my mind. My spark plug tester states on the
packaging that "Flashing bulb indicates an ignition or fuel delivery problem" I find that counter intuitive, should it not flash as the spark plug fires? I had it on all four plugs with the tractor running and it flashes on all four.

Still chasing a losing power issue with not much left to look at so trying to gain some insight from the tester but how does a flashing bulb indicate a problem? Those of you that use one of these, does yours flash as the plug fires with engine running?

• ratface
• Replies: 10
• Forum: Ford 9N, 2N & 8N

R

Thread 'Spark tester'

Jul 30, 2017

Can I use an inline spark tester like I would use between a spark plug and the plug wire to check for spark, Between the big post on the ignition coil and the wire going to the distributor cap, to check for spark from he coil to distributor?

• Russell Dewsnup
• Replies: 8
• Forum: Tractor & Farm Talk

 

[gblj]

Can't tell from the picture. Does it connect from the coil wire to the spark plug or probe to the head? If to the plug it needs a complete circuit and the problem could be the plug.

Mike (Ohio) one end goes on spark plug, other end goes on the plug wire I took off that spark plug, so it makes a circuit.

 

[J.Wondergem]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

I use one of them on anything that I think isn't making spark.

 

[Frank(Mi.)]

I hooked this to my snow blower to see if I'm getting spark, after pulling the rope I see no spark, should I see a spark? Or won't this work on a snow blower.

I just used one on a walk behind leaf blower. Blower would not start, ran fine the previous day for the Wife. I put the tester on it to see if it was a spark issue or fuel. It confirmed no spark. Next move was to check oil level. Added oil and it started right up and ran fine. The blower had the low oil shutdown sensor...

 

[504]

grab the spark plug wire at the end and pull the starter,there will be no doubt about the spark.

 

[J.Wondergem]

grab the spark plug wire at the end and pull the starter,there will be no doubt about the spark.

My Grandpa used to do that.