• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
General Aviation NewsGeneral Aviation News

General Aviation News

Because flying is cool

  • Pictures of the Day
    • Submit Picture of the Day
  • Stories
    • News
    • Features
    • Opinion
    • Products
    • NTSB Accidents
    • ASRS Reports
  • Comments
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ad
  • Events
  • Print Archives
  • Subscribe
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Tempest introduces spark plug resistance tester

By Janice Wood · May 6, 2012 ·

High internal resistance in aviation spark plugs is rapidly becoming a concern that many pilots and mechanics are beginning to recognize as a source of rough running engines and chronic magneto related problems. Realizing that a growing number of maintenance facilities and pilot/owners are incorporating a spark plug resistance check as part of their preventive maintenance, Tempest has introduced its AT5K resistance tester.

The Tempest AT5K resistance tester tests the internal resistance in all aviation spark plugs. Place the spark plug, barrel side down, over the contact post and touch the other lead end to the firing end of the center electrode. If the light is green, the spark plug resistance is below 4k ohm (thousand ohms). If both the green and red lights are on, then the plug is between 4-5k. This is acceptable for serviceable plugs, Tempest officials said. If only the red light is on, this indicates a resistance value in excess of 5k and the plug should be discarded and replaced.

For more information: TempestPlus.com

 

 

People who read this article also read articles on airparks, airshow, airshows, avgas, aviation fuel, aviation news, aircraft owner, avionics, buy a plane, FAA, fly-in, flying, general aviation, learn to fly, pilots, Light-Sport Aircraft, LSA, and Sport Pilot.

About Janice Wood

Janice Wood is editor of General Aviation News.

Share this story

  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on LinkedIn Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit Share on Reddit
  • Share via Email Share via Email

Become a better informed pilot.

Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Curious to know what fellow pilots think on random stories on the General Aviation News website? Click on our Recent Comments page to find out. Read our Comment Policy here.

Primary Sidebar

Read the Latest Issue

Cover of the September 17, 2026 edition of General Aviation News
September 17, 2026

Featured Video

https://youtu.be/_5GlVdS1gpo?si=PEX8RGgp1XCz3-uM

Become A Better Informed Pilot.

Join 110,000 readers each month and get the latest news and entertainment from the world of general aviation direct to your inbox, daily.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Recent Comments

  • Art Friedman on Five Things Your GA Airport Manager Wishes You Knew
  • Are Cee on In-Flight Weather Radar Is Failing General Aviation
  • Javier Lifa on In-Flight Weather Radar Is Failing General Aviation
  • Thomas J Young on Fuel-Oil Contamination Leads to Cessna 172 Engine Power Loss
  • Mark Gibson on Picture of the Day: Cycling Past College Park Airport
  • Andrew J Venuto on Fuel-Oil Contamination Leads to Cessna 172 Engine Power Loss
  • ERIC TAYLOR on What I Learned Towing Banners
  • jimh in ca on Fuel-Oil Contamination Leads to Cessna 172 Engine Power Loss
  • Jamie Beckett on Five Things Your GA Airport Manager Wishes You Knew
  • Robert B on Five Things Your GA Airport Manager Wishes You Knew

© 2026 Flyer Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

  • About
  • Advertise
  • Comment Policy
  • Submit Press Release
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Writer’s Guidelines
  • Photographer’s Guidelines