How to Test Spark Plugs Using a Basic Multimeter

In this video I'll show a quick method you can check a spark plug to see whether its structurally sound or now, whether you are trying to rule out a bad spark plug as your problem or simply want to test a spark plug before you put it in your car this test will come in handy.
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[@je967]

The guy who demonstrates a resistance test of a spark plug with a second plug for reference is the guy to watch.

[@leroyw33]

I am 81 years o and I still love learning things. Thank You

[@toonzbrah4316]

Learning is beautiful

[@raiderrichard7291]

So is Mick Jagger (basically). It’s only rock n roll.

[@FirstNameLastName-fu8ml]

@Willie Kamm whoa u serious? I would've just slept all day long. Lol. I'm 22 and fcking lazy

[@usmanqureshi3160]

@Willie Kamm good job

[@earnestmarcum8562]

I'm in no-way a mechanic. I have everything to learn and with that said. Have an issue with my John Deere Lawn/Garden Tractor. The spark plug, while it appears new, when tested 3 times to ensure the same reading and reviewing this instructional video a few times. I learned that the new appearing spark plug is bad. Thanks for this video that is direct & to-the-point, unlike some of the others I've watched from other's.

[@grannysvids]

Great help, my lawnmower was not starting, I eliminated the spark plug with this helpful video. Got the lawnmower going after cleaning the carburettor.

[@allovruracing9404]

LET ME START OFF BY SAYING YOU ARE THE BEST BUD!!! YOU MAKE MY LIFE SO MUCH EASIER WHEN IT COMES TO Working ON CARS! Thank you so much for sharing!!! 👍🏼👍🏼Keep up the GREAT work!!

[@MiriamCutiePie]

Your videos are awesome. I really appreciate you showing me the how to's without having to have the vehicle running. Life saver literally. I rely on these videos before even buying parts. Great channel!!!

[@LawrenceHanson-b9s]

Keep doing what you’re doing every little bit of information helps a lot of different people and many way I’ve familiar with what you’re showing me but I actually learned something different today

[@backdraftdragon3150]

Great video finally someone shows where to put the dial on The multi-meter thanks

[@zachderoos4525]

You are one of the more well spoken guys. Even as a foreigner, better than most.

[@jimd9360]

I like this very much - good information to know, and well-presented. I gave it an up vote. One tiny point - voltage doesnn't "go" anywhere - it is the potential energy available to the circuit. Current, as the name suggests, is the "flow" of electricity. As I said...tiny point in an overall good video, but one might as well know all they can about a subject of interest.

[@ann707]

I really like constructive criticism, it's such a knack to do without sounding like a dweeb. Thanks for the tiny point.

[@mikeyyani]

Thank you for giving such a great video on using a multi meter to test a bad spark plug God bless you and keep up with your knowledge and teaching us on using the right tools for testing. This really did the job i like it very clear video.

[@danielpatterson9312]

Thanks for the video. I was able to determine I had a bad plug in my 04 Expedition. Ended up being an $8 fix instead of several hundred dollars.

[@snoopy5736]

What was the symptoms

[@InsanityHere]

Clearly understood. Your video was very intelligently done.

[@heatherwells4236]

Ray Charles and I love ❤️

[@danielacarasani1597]

oqg

[@brandonelliott7297]

Yo man, you saved me the other day. After work my 94 Corolla was getting terrible mpg so tested spark plugs w/ multimeter and sure enough bag spark plug! dope videos & love ur tri-force t-shirt!

[@mlez7197]

love this video...I had a vibration @ idle on my 2005 5 3 GM I even took my SUV to a shop and a very experience mechanic change the maf sensor...dint fix that...I did a smoke test...and nothing...replace the crank sensor,clean the throttle body, I was chasing my tail around...until some young mechanic I know told me over the phone to change the spark plugs...dint believe that but after a few weeks I decided to change them and DAMMM...fox the problem...now I know how to test them...I just had an experience today with a different car...replace the spark plugs die to a misfire on cylinder #2...got brand new spark plugs...AC DELCO IRIDIUM what's recommend by GM and guess what!!! I had a misfire on cylinder #6 this time...I refused to believe that I had a faulty brand new spark plug so I test the coil packs injectors pulse and after getting shocked by the coil I said to my self...coil is good...so I swapped #6 misfire brand new spark plug for an old one same brand same part number and to my surprise it fix the misfire...I hope this helps someone...definitely test even the new spark plugs...I'm not so sure but i think some of them have a resistor inside...I'm doing my own research ...glad dint throwed the old spark plugs away...I'm going to test them ...whit 2 multimeters just to be sure of my results

[@pedroi9008]

I always keep the old spark plugs just in case they may come on in handy, as you described.

[@amtnng]

50 years old and just learning this thank you. I missed the clean carbon off the tip. I think that's why I'm not getting a reading.

[@planedws2531]

I've never tested a plug this way, but since I have no spark plug tester in my home shop I tried this. Sure enough the offending plug had 0 resistance between the center electrode and the plug end. Go figure. Thank you for sharing.

[@1gerard47]

One in a million, buy new plugs.

[@1gerard47]

0 resistance is what you want,duh.

[@robertregalado9906]

I'm 62 years 0ld and computer dionostic tec at first i didn't even know that you could test spark plugs what you should me I'm adding this to my books hope you don't mind and I'll let everyone know i seen it on Google. Thanks for your help.

[@patlarocca1394]

great video to the point and thx for showing where to put dial on multi-meter

[@stephenschultz9901]

Thank you! Cleaned my sparkplug, got some resistance and saved some money. 🍻

[@1gerard47]

You want 0 ?

[@gilbertochoa1553]

Nice. Thanks. Reminds me I have to watch your relay switch video again. Gotta wire up a light bar

[@garystocks8593]

Thank you for the knowledge you shared .

[@ericspringer193]

Good job thank god a video that don't have rambling on and on for simple shit. I'm proud of u

[@flightofthefatman]

Thanks for the help... Now the lawn mower that I picked up from the side of the road yesterday now works!! 🐑🐏

[@arthur577]

Very good explanation was looking how to check my plugs :)

[@rickdiculous23]

literally subscribing not only because your vids have been helping me, but also because of that shirt haha.

[@craigversheck7835]

Always logical and thorough, inappropriate your videos! 👍

[@louismartinez8962]

Enjoyed all your factual info sir!

[@raymondhoagland8602]

Thank you for showing this, you tube is so great to have to learn new things !

[@greggscats]

Nice and clear explanation-Thanks

[@ramanvohra62]

Please detail about the numbers engraved on Spark Plugs and also provide information on Hot and Cold ones !

[@1gerard47]

Google it.

[@Isgood2beKing]

Thank you for your time and help, Now maybe is my type of spark plug but i did the test from the all sround the back of the plug and side of (over a plastic and a pice of paper) After moving around the probe , got 0.450 , and the continuity finally sound, them i try to do it again i was able after 8 times moving around the spark plug, Is a laser iridium ngk why I forgot to mention the meter is new out of the box, cat 3

[@pragav2170]

Great stuff. Thanks for the help buddy!

[@ralphv.2332]

I have heard different values with ohms readings (multimeter) for small engine spark plugs (mower, snow blower, etc.). Can you set it straight for me? Some say a good spark plug should read 500 to 5000 ohms. Others say 4000 to 8000 ohms. And still, others say 5000 to 15000 ohms. Which is it? Or, is there another standard of values to use?

[@Mrkatt763]

Great video bro! There's always some idiots to everything I life. There are 255 in here, sigh

[@davypig571]

How common is the ground to center electrode contact of any kind? I would think it's pretty rare. I guess most are replaced way before that sort of thing happens!

[@snapcookieftw]

Shirt 🙌 Learned a lot from your videos; thank you!

[@skorpyo331]

Heck yeah, what i needed.

[@trevorslater2547]

Brilliant video mate, very useful

[@TheRuben2922]

nice my english is not very good but, i undestood it was useful to me thank you

[@jamescrabb8766]

Good stuff--valuable information.

[@oiseaudenuit]

great videos nice and clear voice!

[@naranjodiogenes]

Buena explicación. Saludos

[@CrazycatRider]

good explaination thumbs up bro

[@fernandobiondi1256]

I watched your video thoroughly from A to Z, but I'm so sorry to tell you are completely wrong about why carbon build up causes electrical disruption , FYI carbon IS a CONDUCTIVE element , when it builds up over the center electrode and the ceramic isolator causes a SHORTCIRCUIT between positive and negative electrodes impeding any spark to jump across, The real reason dirty/sooty spark plugs don't work, is because carbon deposits bridge up both electrodes so current (as you must know) chooses the less resistive path, thus no spark may ocurr .PLEASE do a little research before posting this kind of infomation because it misleads a lot of people as I can see in the comments.Thank you very much !! .

[@borannoran8550]

Awesome

[@tazam21]

Was waiting for someone to correct him

[@luisavelar5391]

Very helpful video thank you

[@anguspatterson9449]

Brilliant and nicely presented thanks for the info 😊

[@cfbinan]

Thank you and this is the best method.

[@paisitalondono01]

Que buena información. Muchas Gracias. De Colombia. Salud y Éxitos.!

[@vetterfellow]

Very nicely done !!.

[@barneyrubble4827]

Well presented!

[@frankdavidson9675]

the last reading you made is the only reading that means any thing if that ha been a dirty plug you would have read thru the carbon buildup you can only see this on the highest ohm scale

[@Stick4569]

You're the man.

[@strategicservices9906]

Any recommendations for sedans which are easy to get to in terms of repairs like my chevy cobalt?

[@truhunk1]

Very good, but what if I want to test a mower plug that has no resistor ?

[@u.s.a.198]

Thank you!

[@infinitepawer]

The ohms reading trick won't work for non resistor such as NGK C6HSA spark plug right ??

[@33siae]

my new plugs read different some 6.8 and others much higher like 10.30 and the lowest one 4.4 is that fine ...

[@russiaKGB]

muchas gracias señor

[@4WorldPeace2]

Which tool electronically reads the spark plug's gap?

[@walter2670]

In a v-twin does it matter if the reads are different. Say 8 on one vs 14 on another

[@goose9238]

So if I have 6 of the same plug, will they all be around the same? I ask because I bought plugs, and the ohms readings are 4.01, 3.50 and 2.50, the last three are between the first two... so one is much lower, does that matter?

[@keljennb511]

thank you

[@mohammadjulhas9260]

Nice video and nice job

[@ItsGosho]

Amazing! Thanks you so much :)

[@Porsche996TT]

I just tested a new set of spark plugs and they show different resistance, is that ok?

[@GmGarlo]

can a spark plug get damaged if it gets too hot because mine got so hot ,it discolored half of the threads?

[@aratneerg1375]

Awesome. Thanks!

[@raycollado7044]

Very good video

[@rcdufffy]

Good video, thanks.

[@terrydevera5120]

I have tested the spark plugs of my Honda dream motor cycle and I got open reading I installed back and still working it is Bosch spark plugs why no resistance at all ??? Even the new spark plugs cup no resistance too but it is working some of my old spark plugs I got reading 5.5 m ohms ???

[@dasutsangnyc1715]

Just received brand new four of denso spurk plugs for my accord. before installing I tested with multimeter on 20k but nothing changes on screen, is that something wrong this new pugs? Please advise

[@leelafarlett3535]

I've never seen anybody use a multi meter to see if a spark plug is working or not.Everyone including myself just pulls the plug, put the plug wire back on, ground it, and crank the engine over.But that by itself wont tell you much.

[@vulvo4763]

Can you get electricity from spark plug and magnet

[@Greco1114]

What happens if you touch the ground during the test?

[@wekeeptruckin]

I just bought some Champion plugs from Rockauto that are all reading between 20k-100k ohms, not gonna put them in

[@geojor]

thank you ...

[@changosurf3204]

what model multimeter is that?

[@mikeyboy6895]

great so how do you test a spark plug that doesn't have a resistor in it

[@arsenioogdar2343]

thank you sir

[@danielvarela8874]

I tried the last test you mention and I get Wierd readings.... If I lay it flat on a table and put the negative to the bottom of the positive to the threads I get no signal saying basically it is a good spark plug but if I pick it up and I do it in my hands I get signals what could that be?

[@garyborchert61]

Maybe the table is conductive !!🤔🤔

[@ronproffitt9422]

How come I got a reading of 000, it started as 1, I don't understand

[@BLAKHARTFILM]

Gracias.

[@johnmartinez9445]

At 2:47 center electrode to threads results in open. Great but I after 3 ngk's two new that I bought. All fail continuity test from center electrode to threaded base. After running in Honda ct90 mc. These check good when first installed. 6v system new oem coil, points, condenser. Anyone with any knowledge of why?

[@rabeekahamed659]

THANK U

[@arionz4713]

Your iranian accent still there 😁

[@smithraymond09029]

He's Latino.

[@andrewr287]

ZELDA! awesome!

[@abdulqayyum5668]

If resistance is 0 oham then?

[@danieldzvonik9164]

It showed 350 ohm between ground and center electrode, so i guess my sparkplug is bad

[@rowlandvaughan4115]

How to test coil on 3hp outboard motor

[@TheRuben2922]

understood

[@rexanderson5458]

You CANNOT test spark plugs reliably using an ohmmeter. Compression causes bad plugs to misfire. Worn electrodes cause misfire. The resistance increases causing misfire. Use a spark tester to check misfire. Replace plugs. They're cheap.

[@gamerhamin8344]

Rex Anderson .

[@dasutsangnyc1715]

Old one number jumps but new one doing nothing

[@السلامالسلام-ه9ب]

مرحبا..استاذ...هل يوجد..ترجمه للمقطع..

[@duanedean3256]

Center electrode to threads.....umm you shouldnt have nothing ever. With high voltage you can get carbon traces which the high voltage will follow causing plug to lose spark. Another reason its not a good test is if the insulator is cracked on side. No tester in the world will tell you why its not sparking. Grab another plug and try again. If its sparks, its a good plug.

[@MrRedneck1488]

Did you record this in a church ?

[@jimd9360]

Huh. 77 people don't know good advice when the hear it.

[@JoseSanchez-cn4yf]

👍

[@davidrowland2354]

They say anything over 5000 is bad

[@alaanaggar2892]

Good jop

[@aldinadil9642]

👍🏽