Do not use non-resistor spark plugs

K-Series Programmable ECU installation questions / support issues
Locked
User avatar
Hondata
Site Admin
Posts: 10434
Joined: Thu Aug 15, 2002 12:13 pm
Location: Torrance, CA
Contact:

Do not use non-resistor spark plugs

Post by Hondata »

Non-resistor Spark Plugs

On a K-Series engine, if the stock spark plugs have been replaced, it is very important to ensure that the replacement spark plugs have an integral resistor. Non-resistor spark plugs cause a large amount of electrical interference which may effect vehicle electronics, including the ECU.

Resistor spark plugs use an integral resistor to absorb the radio frequency energy generated from the spark. In earlier Honda engines the resistor was often incorporated into the distributor cap or spark plug wires. With the K-Series engine the only place for the resistor is in the spark plug. Almost all spark plugs are of the resistor type (actually we were surprised that people could still buy non resistor type plugs).

For more information:

NGK Resistor Spark Plug Information
Denso - Resistor Spark Plug Information
Denso - How to identify spark plugs

Oscilloscope Waveforms - Non-resistor spark plugs


Image

DC voltage waveform for the ECU power supply. The vertical scale is 20V per division. The red line is the trigger (at 80V). The voltage spike was in the order of 100V to 200V peak to peak.

Image

DC voltage waveform for the ECU internal 5V power network. The vertical scale is 20V per division. The red line is the trigger (at 80V). Again the voltage spike was in the order of 100V - 200V peak to peak.

Oscilloscope Waveforms - OEM spark plugs

Image

DC voltage waveform for the ECU power supply. The vertical scale is 10V per division. The largest voltage spike was very small - less than 0.4V

Conclusion

Non resistor spark plugs cause massive radio frequency interference which can affect any electronics in the vehicle. There is no need nor advantage in using non-resistor spark plugs.
Hondata
Locked