Abstract: An ignition aid for internal combustion engines includes a sintered refractory ceramic composite heating element having a high resistance central portion interposed between a low resistance terminal end portions. The heating element is positioned in a hollow electrically conductive body adapted to be removably inserted in an aperture in an engine. The heating element is disposed between and has its terminal end portions in electrical non-point contact with a bridge portion at one end of the hollow body and an electrode rod extending into the hollow body in sealed relation therewith. In one embodiment, the electrode rod comprises a pair of relatively movable parts, one of which is resiliently biased into engagement with the heating element by a resilient PTC resistance element electrically connecting the parts. In another embodiment, the heating element terminal portions are diffusion bonded to the electrode rod and bridge portion, respectively.