Inductive Timing Light - need help
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 303
From: Charlotte Area North Carolina
Inductive Timing Light - need help
Hey Guys,
Was in process of tightening coil hold down bracket on passenger side and noticed distributor move. Distributor Y-clamp was a little loose, enough for me to move the distributor and mess up the timing.
Need you help (photos would help) of where to locate the negative for the timing light, positive, then should only have put the u-clamp around #1 plug wire on driver side. Seems obvious + clip on timing light to + on battery and - clip on timing light to - on battery. I did pull the distributor vacuum to the carb and plugged the end of the vac.
Timing light is not working, no strobe. Purchased it new yesterday with "made in china" sticker on the back.
Before I take it back want to see if I'm missing something.
Was in process of tightening coil hold down bracket on passenger side and noticed distributor move. Distributor Y-clamp was a little loose, enough for me to move the distributor and mess up the timing.
Need you help (photos would help) of where to locate the negative for the timing light, positive, then should only have put the u-clamp around #1 plug wire on driver side. Seems obvious + clip on timing light to + on battery and - clip on timing light to - on battery. I did pull the distributor vacuum to the carb and plugged the end of the vac.
Timing light is not working, no strobe. Purchased it new yesterday with "made in china" sticker on the back.
Before I take it back want to see if I'm missing something.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
Likes: 173
From: Clayton NC
I have found that if I'm working on a car that has 7 or 8 mm wires or bigger that my Craftsman dial back will not get the trigger from the firing of the cylinder. I have an el cheapo spark plug wire that I use and it works great. You may want to try that before you go on a wild goose chase...
Dave
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 951
From: Corpus Christi, TX
If your alternator is on the driver's side of the motor, you can pull back the wire boot on the alternator and connect the + terminal there; and clamp the - terminal to the alternator case or some other convenient unpainted piece of metal on the engine nearby. Saves having to string the power cord across the motor.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,340
Likes: 664
From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Note that "some" (cheap) inductive timing lights have an arrow on the inductive clamp, indicating which way it should go on the ignition wire. Try reversing it.
Plasticman
Plasticman
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 303
From: Charlotte Area North Carolina
Thanks guys -
I took it back. Got a different one and it works perfectly. Thought I was losing my mind, couldn't get my head around the fact that a brand new timing light could already be non-functional first time out of the box.
I'm in business now. Timing was a mess. Distributor moved more than originally thought. She's purring like a kitten again now.
Kevin
I took it back. Got a different one and it works perfectly. Thought I was losing my mind, couldn't get my head around the fact that a brand new timing light could already be non-functional first time out of the box.
I'm in business now. Timing was a mess. Distributor moved more than originally thought. She's purring like a kitten again now.
Kevin
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 5,474
Likes: 16
From: Houston Texas
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13
My $69 Craftsman dial back is a bargain. It is made in China. But it's craftsman. They back up their stuff.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P#reviewsWrap
They also give a lifetime replacement warranty on their cheap imported tools.
Although, I buy their good stuff.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0P#reviewsWrap
They also give a lifetime replacement warranty on their cheap imported tools.
Although, I buy their good stuff.
Last edited by MiguelsC2; Apr 24, 2011 at 04:13 AM.
