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Tools

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

/ , , , , / Diagnostics, Spark Ignition, Technical Articles, Testing, Tools

‘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?

/ , , , , / Diagnostics, Spark Ignition, Technical Articles, Testing, Tools

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 Ultimate Guide to Marine Engine Surveys

/ , , / Diagnostics, General Interest, Technical Articles, Testing, Tools

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to inboard & outboard engine surveys. This guide is for anyone planning to survey an engine, or hire someone else to do it. We’ll answer the who, when, where, why, and what of engine surveys. If we did miss your question, please let us know by e-mailing us, so we can get you an answer, and add it to the guide!

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How to Test Glow Plugs

/ , , , , / Diagnostics, Electronic Faults, Testing, Tools

Glow plugs are installed on many diesel engines to help with cold starts. They usually fail because of corrosion, overheating, mechanical damage, or metal fatigue, and their failure can cause a variety of problems. The easiest way to test a glow plug is by using a clamp-meter, though digital multimeters can also do the job, and glow-plug testers also work.

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How to Use a Battery Tester

/ , , / Batteries, Testing, Tools

Most battery testers have two clips (or test leads), you first attach these to the battery’s terminals (connectors), then you press a button (or switch), and a few seconds later, the tester displays or prints a result indicating the battery’s condition. The details of how you use a battery tester depends on what kind of battery you have, the electrical system it is connected to, and which tester you plan to use. Some battery testers require disconnecting the battery from the vehicle, while others have different limitations. Most battery testers only work on one, or a few different types of batteries. We describe how to use five different battery testers below:

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