usually i pull the spark plug, put it in the spark plug wire, hold it near a ground while someone turns the car over. tonight i need to troubleshoot my car, but i might not be able to get someone to help me out. anyone have any tips on how to check for spark while working on the car all alone?

 

If I were you I would take of the distributor cap and inspect the rotor and igniter, then check your spark plugs and wires. You should be able to tell if one of the spark plugs isnt sparking, because it will look different then the others.

 

Hmmm maybe pull the spark plug and the wire off, and hang them down the side of the fender with the lights off?

 

You can bridge the battery to the starter to get it to crank. Then do the usual pull the plug wire routine.

 

i guess i could do that. the thing is i think the reason my car isn't starting is not b/c of the spark plugs, but b/c of something else (spun rod bearing, bent valve, etc.)

i wanted to make sure all 4 plugs sparked, so i was thinking that maybe i could bump the starter somehow and have the spark plug lying near a ground. hmmm.

 

do i just run a wire from the battery directly to the starter power connection point?

 

Yea thats how I did mine, just tap the wire and it will engage the starter, you'll probably see some sparks. Just make sure its in neutral 1st.

You can also my a starter switch for your engine bay for less than 5 bucks at Pep Boys, Advanced Auto, Auto Zone, or any of those places. It basically does the same thing. Bridges the batt to the starter, but it has a button you push to break the circuit.

 

awesome, i'll try that if i can't round up anyone to help me out. thanks.

 

Or you could do it the easy way and plug a sparkplug into it, set it on the valve cover , turn out the lights and crank over the engine. Watch for the sparks.
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[Modified by Tbone, 5:11 PM 3/5/2003]

 

pull a plug wire and install a screwdriver and have the metal shaft of the screwdriver close to a grounding point and crank the engine and watch for spark jumping from screwdriver to grounding point. can be done alone.

 

or get a timing gun.....
and pull the T gun on spark plug 1
keep it close to the door so u can reach it....... crank the car and press the gun.. if it turns on u got spark... u can do that with any cable to find out if theres spark going to the cylinders....