Spark plug cap/wire activity check

[oldyam80sg]

I did see MRO's suggestion about using the screwdriver in a previous thread and thought i was not going to get zapped-my mistake.As far as everyones negative comments(DavesXS) i look at this as a learning lesson gone wrong.And no i didn't keep trying this.Make one mistake and admit it on this board and i guess you have to hear it from everybody!I think that is why we join this board- to talk about bikes,repairs and such.So if i make a mistake I'm not placing the blame on anybody but myself!

[DavesXS]

Single me out, its ok.

Pardon me if I read the title of the thread wrong.

I thought this was a thread on checking spark plug gap. So imagine my surprise to find some one sticking a screwdriver in the plug wires, and turning it over. AND THEN ASKING IF IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT? Remembering the thread title, you get blasted for your foolishness.
Take the chip off your shoulder(develope thick skin), take your medicine(our comments), and lesson learned, life goes on....
If I were you I'd post befor doing something, and ask if its right. Not after
. Even my mom knew she'd get shocked doing that and she is 65 and knows nothing of motor work.

[DavesXS]

If you want to check spark, remove the plug, put it in the plug wire and touch the plug end to the block as you turn it over.
No screwdrivers necessary.

[mro]

No screwdrivers necessary

In less than half the time to do that I could check all 4....
But would not tell me if I had a bad plug,
would need Prom holding the plug with one hand and the his other hand resting on the valve cover while I crank the engine. Watch to see if his eyes light up


mro

[oldyam80sg]

I don't have a chip on my shoulder- the comments are really not necessary.

[TopCatGr58]

Okay folks, remember, play nice!

Just wanted to chime in with a friendly reminder to EVERYONE, that not everyone that comes to this site is very mechanically or electrically minded/experienced as others.

As I've stated before, I'm no REAL Mech. Guru, just a shadetree survivalist with a little experience on a few XS/XJ11's, but I can type and have no life, so they put me in charge here!! Heck, I had been disconnecting the (+) terminal of batteries FIRST for years not realizing that it wasn't the safest thing to do!!
Thanks to DiverRay and others, I now know and do differently!!

So....it's requested that folks don't make belittling comments about others mech. skills, or lack thereof. Prom likes to make belittling remarks about everybody's other life aspects, but still provides good advice, so he's tolerated!!

With our limited choice of emoticons, and even whether they are used or not, it's still can be difficult to tell when a statement is made in the spirit of "JEST", vs. being truly condescending.

I have Editted the thread title to reflect the true intent of the initial poster. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming!

[Axel]

Huh

You're not supposed to disconnect the positive first????
I have been using the screwdriver method since back on the farm and touching wires and caps to see if they are good . I think electricians put their hand in their back pocket so if they get shocked there is an alternate route for the shock other than through the heart. Of course then you work with one hand .
Bedtime

[randy]

cheap & quick spark tester

One of those old type neon line voltage testers can be used to check if a plug is firing without temporary connection or taking anything apart. Run the engine and just lay the neon light bulb on the wire near the plug. if it flashes, the plug is firing.

Batteries?

When disconnecting, NEG first, in case you accidentaly short the tool to the frame, NEG to NEG, no problem. Then POS, with no NEG connection, if you again short the tool to the frame, no problem.

When connecting, POS first, then NEG for the same reasons.