1) Run a resistance check on each wire with an ohmmeter. But this won't
tell you if the wire is breaking down under voltage.
2) Pull your fuel pump relay. Then one at a time pull each plug from the
block, reinsert them into the wire, and hold them against the block (or any
good ground) and get one of your buddies to crank the engine and watch for
spark across the gap. It should be a bright blue/white.
3) Auto parts stores sell a little screwdriver like gizmo that has a small
neon bulb in it. You hold this beside the ignition wire and it lights each
time the plug fires. These actually work pretty good and they are
inexpensive.
Hope this helps.
Rich - Ashburn, VA
PS. Should we start calling you "Sparky"??? :'B
-----Original Message-----
From: HOEGEN [mailto:hoegen@kersur.net]
Sent: Monday, August 21, 2000 5:49 PM
To: Dakota-Truck@Buffnet. Net
Subject: DML: Testing for a spark
OK, I still havn't figured out what's goin on with my 99 Dak. It still seems
to be runnin on 5 cylinders. Someone suggested I check each plug wire to
ensure I have a spark (apparently to rule out a bad wire). What is the
correct way to do this so I won't get ZAPPED!
I've already :
replaced the plugs
checked for wettness in the distributer
checked for solid wire connections
reset computer
check to see if computer listed any codes
added water remover to gas tank
Thannks all
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:53:33 EDT