Engine monitoring system and associated method

An engine service monitoring system (ESMS) adapted for use with an engine, the engine being operable with an ignition circuit having an ignition coil, a spark plug, and a spark plus wire leading from a secondary side of the ignition coil to the spark plug, the ESMS comprising:

• counting means for counting high voltage ignition pulses passing through the spark plug wire in the course of operation of the engine to determine a count thereof;
• means for inductively coupling the counting means to the spark plug wire;
• means for storing a threshold value with respect to a service parameter;
• means for comparing the count of the ignition pulses to the threshold value;
• and
• means for providing an audible alert to an operator when the count of the ignition pulses exceeds the threshold value.

A method of monitoring a service parameter associated with an engine having a spark plug, an ignition circuit with a transformer, and a spark plug wire disposed between the spark plug and a secondary side of the transformer, the ignition circuit for effectuating one or more high voltage pulses in the spark plug wire, the method comprising the steps of:

• inductively coupling a counting circuit to the spark plug wire on the secondary side of the transformer;
• counting the high voltage pulses with the inductively coupled counting circuit to determine a count thereof, the high voltage pulses being generated when the engine is operated;
• measuring a temperature of the engine;
• adjusting the count of the high voltage pulses based the measured engine temperature;
• comparing the adjusted count of the high voltage pulses with a selected threshold value;
• and
• providing an alarm if the adjusted count of the high voltage pulses exceeds the selected threshold value.