Timing Light Q - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

pmpski_1 · 02-18-2008, 07:29 AM

OK, this can't be that hard -

I went to set my timing today and the light wouldn't fire. The light is a 10 dollar cheapie from Harbor Freight and has been banged up since I used it so I decided to head off to Sears to get a new light. Back in the garage, the new light won't fire either.

I tried a couple different wires, and I checked the voltage on the timing light clamps while the engine was running - 14.9. I even tried to use both lights on another car. Neither light would fire. I know the HF one worked in the past cause I used it for timing my motorcycle.

What am I missing? I find it hard to believe that a light that worked before and a brand new light are both broken.

If it matters, I just upgraded to HEI and a rebuilt QJet. Truck runs, but it's a bit rough.

Thanks

piecesparts · 02-18-2008, 07:47 AM

Silly question: Did you connect ALL of the wires that needed to be and to the right places? My Sears light has a 12 volt power and ground wire that needs to be connected and then the High Voltage pickup from the plug wire.

If nothing else maybe it's batteries are dead. LOL

cdowns · 02-18-2008, 08:03 AM

did you hook the wire up to #1sparkplug wire

pmpski_1 · 02-18-2008, 08:04 AM

I put the red clip on the + battery terminal and the black on the same place where the neg battery terminal is grounded to - exhaust manifold. Then put the spark plug wire in the notch on the pickup. (I tried a couple other grounds too, just to be sure).

Same thing with the other car I tried it on.

Maybe I do have 2 bad lights? I don't think there's any trick to this

I hope I'm just over looking something.

Also - I thought that I may have a bad ground, so I took the multimeter and checked the voltage on the timing light clips while the engine was running. It measured 14.9. Would it show any voltage if it was a bad ground?

Longhorn Man · 02-18-2008, 08:18 AM

try hooking it directly to the battery. The only reason you'd have to hook to the engine would be if you are giving it a jump start.
The clamp may not have enough bite to dig through the rust or paint on the manifold.

chevy one · 02-18-2008, 08:25 AM

If it is an inductive type pick-up that clips over the wire, most have an arrow or says toward spark plug. If this is facing the other driection the light won't fire.

pmpski_1 · 02-18-2008, 08:52 AM

hm, tried direct to battery and clipping both ways on the wires. I can't believe that I got a bad gun right off the shelf but there's only one thing left to try. Off to Sears to replace it.

The only thing that bugs me is that the other gun won't work either. I'm gonna test it on my motorcycle since I know it worked there in the past, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow. Weak battery is on the charger now.

Thanks for the help guys, I'll see if a different gun solves the problem.

badchev69 · 02-18-2008, 08:55 AM

agree with Chevy one... If the clamp is backwards it will not fire. Some clamps dont even have the arrow.. try that

pmpski_1 · 02-18-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by badchev69

agree with Chevy one... If the clamp is backwards it will not fire. Some clamps dont even have the arrow.. try that

Yep. No arrow, but tried it both ways. Seriously this can't be that hard. It must be bad

That's what I keep telling myself anyway.

chevy one · 02-18-2008, 09:35 AM

Sounds like my luck; hope the new- new light will fix your problem.

dwaite72lnghrn · 02-18-2008, 09:16 PM

Did you try it on another plug wire!!! Just in case the #1 wire is bad.

pmpski_1 · 02-19-2008, 02:01 AM

Got another light from Sears last night. Hooked it up this AM and it works just fine.

Unfortunately, when I was exchanging the bad one I saw the sales guy print out a "used" sticker to slap on the box. It's gonna go straight to the clearance section for some other poor sap to buy. Glad I didn't buy that leaf blower from the clearance section yesterday...

Thanks for the help folks!

02-18-2008, 07:47 AM	#2
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Timing Light Q Silly question: Did you connect ALL of the wires that needed to be and to the right places? My Sears light has a 12 volt power and ground wire that needs to be connected and then the High Voltage pickup from the plug wire. If nothing else maybe it's batteries are dead. LOL

02-18-2008, 08:03 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Timing Light Q did you hook the wire up to #1sparkplug wire __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

02-18-2008, 08:04 AM	#4
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Re: Timing Light Q I put the red clip on the + battery terminal and the black on the same place where the neg battery terminal is grounded to - exhaust manifold. Then put the spark plug wire in the notch on the pickup. (I tried a couple other grounds too, just to be sure). Same thing with the other car I tried it on. Maybe I do have 2 bad lights? I don't think there's any trick to this I hope I'm just over looking something. Also - I thought that I may have a bad ground, so I took the multimeter and checked the voltage on the timing light clips while the engine was running. It measured 14.9. Would it show any voltage if it was a bad ground? Last edited by pmpski_1; 02-18-2008 at 08:07 AM. Reason: Update

02-18-2008, 08:18 AM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Timing Light Q try hooking it directly to the battery. The only reason you'd have to hook to the engine would be if you are giving it a jump start. The clamp may not have enough bite to dig through the rust or paint on the manifold.

02-18-2008, 08:25 AM	#6
chevy one Chevy One Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The BeeHive State Posts: 132	Re: Timing Light Q If it is an inductive type pick-up that clips over the wire, most have an arrow or says toward spark plug. If this is facing the other driection the light won't fire. __________________ Chevy One 67 1/2 Two-on-the-Floor 67 Nova 2Dr Sedan 03 Monte Carlo I'M NOT OLD, JUST A CLASSIC!!!

02-18-2008, 07:29 AM	#1
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Timing Light Q OK, this can't be that hard - I went to set my timing today and the light wouldn't fire. The light is a 10 dollar cheapie from Harbor Freight and has been banged up since I used it so I decided to head off to Sears to get a new light. Back in the garage, the new light won't fire either. I tried a couple different wires, and I checked the voltage on the timing light clamps while the engine was running - 14.9. I even tried to use both lights on another car. Neither light would fire. I know the HF one worked in the past cause I used it for timing my motorcycle. What am I missing? I find it hard to believe that a light that worked before and a brand new light are both broken. If it matters, I just upgraded to HEI and a rebuilt QJet. Truck runs, but it's a bit rough. Thanks

02-18-2008, 08:52 AM	#7
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Re: Timing Light Q hm, tried direct to battery and clipping both ways on the wires. I can't believe that I got a bad gun right off the shelf but there's only one thing left to try. Off to Sears to replace it. The only thing that bugs me is that the other gun won't work either. I'm gonna test it on my motorcycle since I know it worked there in the past, but that'll have to wait until tomorrow. Weak battery is on the charger now. Thanks for the help guys, I'll see if a different gun solves the problem.

02-18-2008, 08:55 AM	#8
badchev69 Active Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Stayton, Oregon 97383 Posts: 178	Re: Timing Light Q agree with Chevy one... If the clamp is backwards it will not fire. Some clamps dont even have the arrow.. try that __________________ 1969 C10 SWB /350 vortech/th400 1968 SWB build (in progress) 1969 SWB build (my son's future project) 1968 camaro yellow/white stripes (wife's car) 2011 GMC reg cab short bed 2wd daily driver 5/7 drop on 22's 1972 K5 Blazer 13"/11"lift,38"M/T MTZ's, 3" cust exst. 350/350 (sold it )

02-18-2008, 09:35 AM	#10
chevy one Chevy One Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The BeeHive State Posts: 132	Re: Timing Light Q Sounds like my luck; hope the new- new light will fix your problem. __________________ Chevy One 67 1/2 Two-on-the-Floor 67 Nova 2Dr Sedan 03 Monte Carlo I'M NOT OLD, JUST A CLASSIC!!!

02-18-2008, 09:16 PM	#11
dwaite72lnghrn Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: central pa Posts: 1,525	Re: Timing Light Q Did you try it on another plug wire!!! Just in case the #1 wire is bad. __________________ 72 longhorn c30 502BB/th400/fact air/4.11rear/ custom camper 72 bug(the better half's) under reconstruction 2009 HHR aqua blue 71 GMC k20 350/sm465 2009 Chevy hd3500 6.6 Victory Red crew cab dually Dave & Jeanne

02-19-2008, 02:01 AM	#12
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Re: Timing Light Q Got another light from Sears last night. Hooked it up this AM and it works just fine. Unfortunately, when I was exchanging the bad one I saw the sales guy print out a "used" sticker to slap on the box. It's gonna go straight to the clearance section for some other poor sap to buy. Glad I didn't buy that leaf blower from the clearance section yesterday... Thanks for the help folks!



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