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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK?

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Ron

01-26-2004 07:43:34




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When you want to check and see if your getting spark from you COIL or MAG. what do you use to look for SPARK? I've been using an new (non resistor) spark plug with a spark plug wire from center of coil or magneto to the tower of the spark plug and then use a jumper wire with alegator clips to ground the base of the spark plug to gnd on the tractor and then crank the tractor over and watch for spark on the test plug. Does any one have better ways to look for spark from engine? THANKS Ron

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varmint

01-26-2004 17:53:11




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
Smear some licorice juice on one of the wires, bring yer mother-in-law out to the shop and blindfold her. Tell her you want her to taste test a new brand of twizzlers for you



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Hermit

01-26-2004 16:52:30




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
There is a spark plug tester that looks like a spark plug. The upper end fits into the boot and the other end has an electrode that's surrounded by a metal cylinder. The tester is grounded using an alligator clip, attaching it somewhere on the block. This holds it secure in a location so you can see the spark.



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Jerry/MT

01-26-2004 13:30:35




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
In a pinch, I bend a small diameter wire or a paper clip in to a U shape, put it in the spark plug boot and hold it a bit away from a good ground and crank the engine over. If I'm in my shop, I get out the spark plug test lite described below.



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RobertTX

01-26-2004 10:22:39




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
However you mount it, an old spark plug is a good tester. Bend the ground electrode back so the gap is at least 5 millimeters. That is the spec for Bosch magnetos. If it will jump a 5 mm gap in air, it will jump your corect (smaller)gap under pressure as the engine is cranking.



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moonlite

01-26-2004 09:46:17




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
I made one about 20 years ago and still carry it in my field tool box. I opened a spark plug to about.125 and made a bright metal band around it. Where the band came together i attached a big alligator clip. works great but i believe Lyle or KD made a very similar tool



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Alberta Mike

01-26-2004 09:36:18




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
A variation of the grounded plug version is to get hold of an old spring-loaded clamp end from an old set of battery jumper cables. Pry open one of the clamps handles and use a small stainless clamp to hold the plug into that handle area (clamp around the threads of the plug). The plug terminal should point out while the plug gap is in by the handle. When you want to check spark, just clamp the unit onto a good ground and hook the plug up to whatever wire you are checking. If everything is positioned properly, you'ss see the spark nice and clear jumping the plug gap. I've always used a plug with a removeable top cap in case you end up with a plug wire (European type) that slip onto the threaded plug end.

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Ben in KY

01-26-2004 09:22:23




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
LIve dangerous, get your wife to hold the wire while you crank :)



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Bguy

01-26-2004 09:05:36




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
Ron, I bought a spark tester at the parts house for 3-4 or 5 dollars and I use it all of the time. One end is shaped like the top of a spark plug so your wire snaps onto it and the other end has about a foot of wire with an alligator clip on the end. In the middle is a fixture where you can see the spark aginst a black background and you can adjust the gap to about any width. It seems that I'm always working on an unstyled tractor by myself so it's hard to just "hold the wire next to the block" while turning the fly wheel, watching the timing marks and etc. One of those cheap but handy things to have around.

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RAB

01-26-2004 07:58:46




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 Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to Ron, 01-26-2004 07:43:34  
I just use my eyes! Hold that wire, you were going to connect to the plug, about a millimetre or so away from ground as you crank it over. Not so easy if you are manually cranking it when your method would do perfectly well. Alternatively you can hold on to the lead end youself - you will soon get the feel of whether the juice is enough or not!!
Regards, RAB



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jake

01-26-2004 08:14:03




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 Re: Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to RAB, 01-26-2004 07:58:46  
An easier way to check coil is remove dist cap, pull coil wire and hold it 1/2 in from block, then short out the points with a screwdriver. If the coil is getting power and is good the coil will throw a spark to the block



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RAB

01-26-2004 09:10:06




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 Re: Re: Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to jake, 01-26-2004 08:14:03  
I know, but it doesn't work so well with a magneto..... and you can be trying to start the engine with no rotor fitted or the cap running to earth - been there, forgot that!!!
Regards, RAB



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Tom

01-26-2004 09:08:49




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 Re: Re: Re: WHAT TO USE TO CHECK FOR SPARK? in reply to jake, 01-26-2004 08:14:03  

Here's just a minor clarification of this process. It works well, and I have used a similar process many times. Here's the minor clarification -

1. The ignition switch must be turned on so that battery voltage is applied to the primary winding of the coil

2. The spark will occur when the points OPEN, not when they are closed or when the screwdriver shorts them out. If the points are on a low lobe of the distributor cam, you must use the screwdriver to OPEN the points to get a spark. If the points are on a high lobe of the distributor cam and consequently are already open, use the distributor to short out the points and then when you remove the short you will see the spark.

Good luck,

Tom

PS. Your process for checking for spark using an extra spark plug and jumper wire to insure a good ground is an excellent way to check for a spark. This process verifies that all of the ignition components are working including coil, points, distributor cap, wires, etc.

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