grndslm

- BikeMaster Ignition Spark Tester 80-4A
- Tool Aid (SGT23950) Coil On Plug Ignition Spark Checker
- Lisle - Spark Tester - Part # 50850

I've narrowed my purchase down to these three.

I bought an "in-line" one at Harbor Freight for $3.99 + a free flashlight. Only problem is that the in-line one can't be used... easily, at least... for testing the coil.

I like the idea of adjustable gaps, like the BikeMaster & Lisle, but the Tool Aid has a 20" cable. The BikeMaster only has a 12" cable.

Also, I'm not exactly how the Tool Aid one works exactly. If it has a bulb, I'm really not interested. I want to see the spark. And the adjustability would be nice.

Decisions... decisions...

I'm not sure why I haven't bought one of these sooner.

grndslm

I think I'll go with the Lisle, since it's only $ 7.

I'll just get a wire that's capable of the voltage/amperage of the modern automobile coil... with some alligator clips that are capable as well. That way, I can make it the length I want. I think 12" is actually a good compromise.

Where is a good place to look for "QUALITY" wire & alligator clips that are up to ignition standards?

Or what is the minimum, recommended gauge wire that I'm going for??

grndslm

Or I might go with the Power Probe!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K78XIhhjAQ

Sorry if everybody knows about this but me, but this thing seems pretty convenient.

I will more than likely get the Lisle one I referred to earlier, or this Thexton 404 Adjustable Ignition Spark Tester... one of the two... for my "carry & go" tool bag, however. So I will still need recommendations on wire thickness & quality alligator clips.

grndslm

Nobody ever mess with this schtuff before??

GhostAccord

Never had any need for any tester aside from a multimeter and a spare spark plug.

I usually just measure the resistance of the coil and wires. If hey aren't withing spec I swap the coil out for a new one. To check for spark I always carry a spare spark plug.

grndslm

I just like the adjustability of the spark checkers.

If each plug is supposed to be getting 10k Volts, then the coil should be giving off 40k Volts, right??? Unscrew the adjustable bit to spread it apart, eventually reaching the 40k Volt gap marking, and then use a spare ground wire to touch ground.

I went with the Lisle adjustable one from OReilly. I guess I'll have to go back for the ground wire, but I'm not sure what the minimum thickness I should be looking for is....

Also, I called the Power Probe company today, and the guy said that the tool is **NOT** designed to test the coil the same way "Eric the car guy" did... in the video I posted, above. That is a major bummer, as I was going to buy the thing if it was sold with that purpose in mind. The only other real benefit would have been using the test light on the coil's negative post, in order to test if the igniter is feeding any current at all. But for that... I can just use a basic old test light.

That Power Probe looks neat, but I'm gonna have to pass for now, I guess.

DCFIVER

LoL, Eric the car guy is a hack.


Essentially spark testers are worthless. But for a DIY'er I suppose they are better than nothing. Buy the adjustable spark tester. A good healthy ignition system on ANY modern vehicle should be capable of firing the spark across at least the 30kv gap on the tester. Simply checking for spark is not enough. the vehicle can have spark,but if the spark is weak, the vehicle will not start.

grndslm

I don't see anything wrong with hackers now, do you, DC5???

I hooked the Lisle up today and found out it does what I need it to do. Had some extra wire in my trunk that worked perfect with some new 10 amp clips.

I had problems with it when trying to lay it against vacuum hoses and electrical wires and stuff... ... but I was able to find someplace to hold the ignition wiring up by enough to get a decent spark. I'm surprised that it was grounding out elsewhere, which could have been dangerous I presume. Now that I know how it works, that won't be happening again. I love learning the hard way!!

But I found out that my car jumped 30k Volts pretty easily with a new distributor... when I was worried that the distributor was the problem. Didn't actually test past 30k Volts since I was just so happy the coil was working.

It's a nice tool to add to my tool bag, really. Never have to pull out a spark plug again to check for spark... and can easily test the coil with the wires I've got now. With one of those ELM 327 bluetooth scanners and a digital torque wrench "adapter" from harbor freight... I think I'll have a pretty complete, yet compact tool bag. I should let you guys see it one day.