Method and apparatus for detecting and indicating anomalies in the operation of the ignition systems of internal combustion engines, particularly for motor vehicles provided with catalytic silencers.

摘要

The method allows the detection and indication of anomalies in the operation of the ignition system (1) of an internal combustion engine including a plurality of spark plugs (SP), each of which receives a periodic high-voltage pulse (V) output by a high-voltage generator (2) in operation. The method includes the steps of: detecting the pulses (V) generated by the high-voltage generator (2), comparing the peak values of each pulse (V) detected with first and second threshold values (S2, S3), and producing a perceptible signal when the peak values of the high-voltage pulses (V) fall outside the acceptable range defined between the threshold values (S 2, S 3). The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out this method.