How to Check for Spark on a Car Engine
Introduction
If your car is not starting, one of the first things you should check is whether or not there is spark. Spark is the electrical current that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the engine’s cylinders, and without it, your car will not run.
There are a few different ways to check for spark, but the most common method is to use a spark plug tester. A spark plug tester is a small, handheld device that connects to the spark plug wire and indicates whether or not there is spark.
Materials You Will Need
- Spark plug tester
- Wrench
Safety Precautions
Before you begin working on your car, it is important to take the following safety precautions:
- Park your car on a level surface and engage the parking brake.
- Allow the engine to cool down completely before working on it.
- Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
- Wear gloves and safety glasses.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Locate the spark plugs. The spark plugs are located on the top of the engine, and they are usually covered by a rubber boot.
- Remove the spark plug wire from the spark plug. Use a wrench to loosen the nut that holds the wire in place, and then pull the wire off of the spark plug.
- Connect the spark plug tester to the spark plug wire. The spark plug tester will have a metal clip that you can attach to the metal connector on the spark plug wire.
- Ground the spark plug tester. The spark plug tester will also have a metal alligator clip that you can connect to a metal surface on the engine. This will ground the tester and complete the circuit.
- Start the engine. The spark plug tester will now flash if there is spark. If the tester does not flash, there is no spark.
Troubleshooting
If you do not see any spark, there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the problem:
- Check the spark plug wire. Make sure that the wire is not damaged or broken. You can also try replacing the wire with a new one.
- Check the spark plug. Make sure that the spark plug is not fouled or damaged. You can also try cleaning the spark plug with a wire brush.
- Check the ignition coil. The ignition coil is responsible for providing the spark to the spark plugs. If the ignition coil is not working, there will be no spark.
Conclusion
Checking for spark is a relatively simple procedure that can help you diagnose a number of different engine problems. If you are having trouble starting your car, checking for spark is a good place to start.