Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for extracting and analyzing features in real time from primary or secondary ignition waveforms, including engine probes, sampling device, and a processor that extracts from the waveform features such as peak firing height, firing line duration, firing line slope, firing line noise, post firing line duration, primary oscillations, and dwell interval duration and compares them against fixed thresholds and running averages to detect anomalies. Anomalies are reported as they occur allowing diagnosis of transient events as well as steady conditions. Waveforms with or without anomalies may be stored and retrieved as needed.