Spark plug cap/wire activity check

[oldyam80sg]

I tried the method of checking the spark plug gap that someone has suggested by putting a flat head screwdriver in the cap and holding the handle and cranking the engine.This method did not work for me.All it did was give me a jolt that went through my shoulders and produced no spark.Is that normal?I would rather check to see the spark by inserting a plug in the cap and lay it close to a bolt or something, then crank the engine.With the method i was taught,you don't take the risk of getting a jolt!

[boyat68]

That is why you are oldyam80sg. You don't get old flying a kite in the rain.

[LoHo]

Who told you to use a screwdriver in the sparkplug cap? Dr. Mengele?

[oldyam80sg]

But did you ever hear of the screwdriver method?Is there something wrong that i get a shock? I was touching the handle only nothing else.

[boyat68]

oldyam80sg:
The screwdriver method works if the handle is a great insulator and you only ground the side of the shaft while keeping your hand or body away from the frame of the bike. In close quarters this is usually not possible especially, when holding the screwdriver and trying to depress the starter button. The simplest method is as you described, lay the plug connected to the cap on the side of the engine, remove your body from contact and depress the starter while observing.

[oldyam80sg]

Got you- but i did read somewhere on this forum about the screwdriver method.I guess the plastic handles are not a good insulator?And no LoHo i didn't hear it from whoever you said!

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Boyat68,

Apparently it's only his bike that is OLD! Dr. Mengele WHO?

OldYam80....FYI:
He was the NAZI Dr. in charge of medical experiments/torture on prisoners and such during WWII!

Just remember, you need the other/paired spark plug to be connected to the engine because the spark travels from one of the plug leads on the coil thru the engine and back UP thru the other lead back to the coil, and IF the other wire is disconnected, then you won't see a spark and could lead to some misdiagnostics!
T.C.

[petejw]

the trick is to earth the screwdriver to the block first
before touching the spark plug. :-)
itll kill the spark from the cylinder
good way to check if the cylinder is firing.

[DavesXS]

I think some one was foolin you. I see no logic in how that checks a gapped plug. How could you tell if its gapped at .040 or .035? Impossible with out inserting a guage into the gap it self.

My grandfather used to suggest " lick your fingers, and grab these wires for me"

I never fell for that one, but seems you would have huh?

Man,,, I and many other have been shocked(lucky), but if that current runs across your heart it will kill you. Like a defibulator used on a living person. 35k volts Can easy stop a heart.

[mro]

quick ~n~ easy spark check

I've mentioned using a screw driver a few times to check if your getting spark. I've done this with various engines for ... a long time

-Problem-
Crank an engine and it won't start, no pop etc..
Engine needs 1) spark, 2) fuel, 3) air
Takes just a minute to pull a plug wire, stick in a screw driver to check for spark. GOT SPARK, then most likely fuel or air...

Sorry you got zapped I've never been shocked using a screw driver, have been zapped from grabing a distributor while engine running. (had bad wires/boots)


mro

[81xsproject]

Man, you should try that ride with the MSD ignition and coils on there. I have never been shocked so bad!!

[TADracer]

If this thread is about CHECKING the gap and not just checking for a spark then the only way to check the GAP is to pull the plug and use a wire gauge.

[DavesXS]

Originally posted by TADracer
If this thread is about CHECKING the gap and not just checking for a spark then the only way to check the GAP is to pull the plug and use a wire gauge.

^^ thank you



I think the name should have been " How not to check spark plug gap" or "reasons I should have some one else do the work on my bike?"

The bottom line is, if you don't know how to check a plug gap, then do a lot of research in your manual before turning any bolts what so ever. Or sticking a screw driver in any holes.

[dbeardslee]

All it did was give me a jolt that went through my shoulders and produced no spark.Is that normal?

Oldyam - No that's not normal. The jolt should go at least to your knee. You should probably try it again

[oldyam80sg]

Yes i was checking for spark- not the plug gap.And yes DavesXS-i know how to do that!Sorry if i worded things wrong!