OK. the big day aproaches and the fuel is in...

How do I test the ignition system for a SPARK.

I may have nearly finished building a car but I dont know how to start it!!!! ( no wise cracks about turning the key.)


Paul.

do you mind suffereing from electric shocks??

Yes............................

i would remove the plugs, place one of them in a plugcap and rest it on the top of the engine. then crank it over untill oil pressure lamp goes out whilst observeing spark plug for sparks if the oil lamp goes out and the plug sparks then refit the plugs put the leads on (in the correct order LOL) cross your fingers and just go for it, recording every second of it for prosterity and when i fires you'll crap yourself, then won't be able to stop grinning at the life you've given to the beast fron the garage

good luck mate

Rich

AWwwwWWWWW

Getting electric shocks from testing for a spark like rich says ^^^^ is part of the fun

ESPECIALLY if you dont put a bung in the plug hole so you have petrol being sprayed at you whilst youre holding a sparking plug in your hand winceing at the electirc shocks youre getting





Ahhhhhh brings back such happy memories

Or be realllllly cowardy (like me) and stick a timing light on.

wheres the fun in that scott
but is not a bad suggestion

Why not just see if it fires when you have oil pressure? Test for spark IF it doesn't start?

Yeah as Rusty says, Just try to start it. then do your tests if it doesn't.

Turns over but did not start

can smell fuel fumes from exahust so suspect there is no spark.

will remove plugs and test one of them on monday, time to bath my little girl now so no more noise tonight.

edit - ok where do I start. what should I check to help locate the problem.

[Edited on 24/6/07 by Paul (Notts)]

Iv got one of these



Available from speeding.co.uk for about £3.50 or halfrauds

looks like a good idea..

just ordered one.

Thanks

get an old (known working) spark plug

pull one of the ht leads off one of the plugs in the block (leaving the plug in for safety)

insert the old plug in the ht lead

touch the bent bottom bit of the plug to the cylinder head/rocker cover

keep a very close eye on the gap of the spark plug while tunring the engine over

you should be able to see a spark jumping the gap.

you WILL probably get a shock which is always a surprise (but is a bit of a laugh too IMO)