Some older timing lights require the removal of the spark plug boot in order to attach a direct pickup between the wire's terminal and the centre conductor of the spark plug. Power for the strobe comes directly from the vehicle's battery. Self-contained units used to time automotive engines have an inductive pickup that clamps around the proper spark plug wire and serves as the trigger for the strobe.
Timing lights using xenon strobe lamps electronically triggered by the spark provide brighter light, allowing use of the timing lamp under normal shop lighting or daylight conditions.Ī timing light may be a self-contained instrument, but is sometimes combined with a voltmeter, RPM meter, and a dwell angle meter, or may be incorporated into a more comprehensive instrument such as an engine analyser. Simple timing lights may just contain a neon lamp operated by the energy provided by the ignition circuit.
In few cases an engine is timed off another cylinder, such as the International Harvester V8 engines, which use #8, and the Isuzu 4Z series four-cylinder, which is timed off the #4 cylinder, or the 3 cylinder Saab two-stroke engine which is timed on the middle (#2) cylinder. On most automotive engines, the timing is set based on the #1 cylinder. Features: For Automotive, Marine, Small Engine, HVAC & Industrial Technicians The original battery powered. Timing Lights MSD Inductive Timing Light MSD Inductive Timing Light Description MSD Inductive Timing Light Complete with Case: 219.99 Selected Product Details Part Number. The distributor can be rotated slightly until the reference pointer aligns with the specified point on the timing scale.įuel-injected engines, or engines with microprocessor controls may require special procedures to allow basic spark timing to be observed without control effects from the engine computer. Self-Powered Inductive Clamp Timing Light. A reference pointer is attached to the flywheel housing or other fixed point, and an engraved scale gives the offset between the spark time and the top dead centre position of the piston in the cylinder. The apparent position of the marks, frozen by the stroboscopic effect, indicates the current timing of the spark in relation to piston position. The timing light is connected to the ignition circuit and used to illuminate the timing marks on the engine's crankshaft pulley or flywheel, with the engine running. Modern electronically controlled passenger vehicle engines require use of a scan tool to display ignition timing. The black clamp connects to the battery -, the red clamp to +, the green one to the breaker side of the coil (for RPM), the big black clamp in the foreground is an inductive pick-up that clamps around a spark plug wire.Ī timing light is a stroboscope used to dynamically set the ignition timing of an Otto cycle or similar internal combustion engine equipped with a distributor. The battery clamps are color-coded, insulated, and have a strong spring to ensure a tight, safe connection.Timing light, combination instrument with RPM, volt meter and dwell angle meter. A 6-foot leads provide plenty of reach from the battery to most timing indicators. The MSD Light uses a metal inductive pickup that will not melt if accidentally touched against hot components like an exhaust manifold. Mechanics working on performance or race engines often want. Advanced: This model offers adjustment to allow timing to be checked at different engine outputs.
Inductive: This timing light is used to check the timing at idle, which is the standard approach and fine for most vehicles. This light is built to protect itself from the abuse that occurs to tools. There are two main types of timing lights and two main designs. The MSD Timing Light's heavy duty resin casing is strong, easy to clean and resistant to corrosives and most other chemicals that could get on it while you work. This rugged timing light is built to work in the toughest of environments. With a patented flash, we make it easy to see your timing scale by being up to three times brighter than standard timing lights. Here Is The Tool List w/ Associated Links (on Amazon) - Quality & Affordable Timing Light: https://go. The light provides stable, reliable signals from 0 to 10,000 rpm so that you can be sure of your tune all the way through red-line. This Video shows the basics of using a timing light. This MSD Timing Light is perfect for working in a garage, outside in the sun, or anywhere else you need to check your timing.