interpretation of Snap On Counselor 2 Analyzer output

I recently acquired a Snap On Counselor 2 Analyzer that I'm trying to use on a Datsun 260z and could use help in interpreting the results since I haven't used a scope since the 1970's.
The Datsun as an aftermarket Malory electronic ignition. If I'm reading the secondary wave form correctly, there is a high resistance somewhere causing a rise in the voltage following the initial zap.
Also, there is an "ERROR" flashing in the upper right corner. It shows up in the first image. Any idea what this means?
Thanks all
Jeff

I'm not going to pretend to be an expert at this stuff. A couple of things I found online suggest that the second small sharp peak is normal when the spark ends. Based on the example wave-forms I saw, cylinder 5 looks to be firing pretty well, 1 is marginal, and the rest show signs of excessive resistance somewhere.

Looks OK to me but your firing line kVs are pretty high. 12-ish is more normal. Could be high secondary resistance, wide plug gaps, lean mixture, etc.
The coil oscillations look a little funky, but that could be normal for your type of ignition system.
The random squiggle in the firing line is from combustion chamber turbulence as you light the fire.

With the Mallory ignition system the primary voltage will be higher. 400 volts would not be uncommon. Most times, the coil has been upgraded for this and the secondary output will be higher. If the coil hasn’t been upgraded then that’s something that should be considered.
260Z is a nice car and lots of fun.

I thought there was a high resistance issue as well. An example I saw with a ramping up between the initial zap and the end of spark was attributed to either a high resistance or a lean fuel mix. I have two carb's with cylinders 1,2,3 and 4, 5, 6 on separate single SU side drafts. I might try and enrich one and see if that makes a difference between the groups. There is another test that records the highest and lowest voltage on the secondary and kV is also high as is the difference between the high and low on each cylinder. The manual doesn't state what causes this but just says there shouldn't be a big discrepancy.

The plug wires test out ok on the ohm meter and I just cleaned and regapped the plugs. I'm using the same gap as recommended for the point type ignition. Maybe electronic ignitions need a smaller gap?

At the very least, it is interesting as hell being able to look at what my ignition is doing 1 millisecond at a time.

High energy electronic ignitions typically run larger gaps, not smaller. Are the plugs, wires, cap and rotor new?

jeffberk said:

I recently acquired a Snap On Counselor 2 Analyzer that I'm trying to use on a Datsun 260z and could use help in interpreting the results since I haven't used a scope since the 1970's.
The Datsun as an aftermarket Malory electronic ignition. If I'm reading the secondary wave form correctly, there is a high resistance somewhere causing a rise in the voltage following the initial zap.
Also, there is an "ERROR" flashing in the upper right corner. It shows up in the first image. Any idea what this means?
Thanks all
Jeff

Click to expand...

Google Mac Vandenbrink. Lots of free stuff out there from the king of ignition scope testing.

An example I saw with a ramping up between the initial zap and the end of spark was attributed to either a high resistance or a lean fuel mix

Click to expand...

The initial zap ionizes the mixture at the gap and the voltage drops suddenly as electrons can flow across the plug gap through the ionized mix. A ramping up of the spark line is normal, especially near the end. It means you lit the mixture and are building cylinder pressure. As the mixture burns and cylinder pressure rises, the spark can no longer jump the gap. The excess energy is dissipated as coil oscillations.