Spark Ignition

What a Spark Test is, and Which Spark Tester to Use

‘Spark testing’ can involve anything from checking whether a spark plug works, to full-system tests of the whole ignition system under load. As is common with many other engine tests, the method you use depends on the tool(s) you have, and there are a variety of options. Each of the tools (and specific tests) can help find different issues, with some being much more useful than others. That said, you should know that not all tools work equally well for all applications, so it’s important to understand what the different tools do, and how they work before deciding on which to use.

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What’s New in the GTC505 Engine Ignition Analyzer?

This year, we’ve released a new version of our GTC505, with a number of new features to improve performance, reliability, and ease-of-use. This redesign and redevelopment was triggered by supply issues with the NXP Kinetis K60 processor we had been using. We took advantage of this opportunity, and completely reworked the tool’s electronic hardware and

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The Different Types of Ignition Systems

Gasoline-fueled piston engines require an ignition source to set off the explosion that converts the chemical potential energy of the air-fuel mixture into thermal energy which the engine can convert into mechanical energy. Each type of ignition source has advantages and disadvantages (which we’ll get to soon), but all have the same basic objective, which is to efficiently set off a quick explosion that burns all the fuel in the cylinder. There are four ignition systems commonly used in 4-stroke, 2-stroke, and rotary engines, along with an oddball only used in small 2-strokes.

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Spark Ignition Diagnostics Article Roundup

Secondary Ignition: The Art Of Spark by Scott Weaver This article describes the components of a conventional distributor ignition system, and how they produce a spark. Scott also shows what a (secondary coil) ignition waveform looks like, and describes its different parts. Read Article at Tomorrow’s Technician Maintaining Engine Spark by Mac Vandenbrink An explanation

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