It does n’t exactly inspire confidence when you ’re drive along and feel a sudden succession of shudder and thumps emanating from yourcar engine . criticize , as the precondition is known , could be a sign of something dire … or it could just mean the engine ’s timing is a little off .
What do you do ? Well , you could take your car down to Honest Al ’s Auto Repair and fork over the dollar - equivalent of a squeamish evening out for two … so Al could merely tell you what the problem is ( really desexualise it is extra , of class ) . Or , if you have an older good example railcar that employ a distributor , you could diagnose the job on your own using a timing twinkle .
Simply put , a timing light helps to fine melodic phrase when the spark firing from thespark plugand conflagrate your car ’s fuel . right adjusted timing , in turn , help to verify your locomotive work at peak power and efficiency . And who does n’t need that ?
First , you should know that timing Light come in a few different shapes and sizes , and reach in features from bare - bones functionality to lot of bell and whistle . The simplest and least expensive timing lights fit into a basic penitentiary human body . But most people would probably opt the much cool , irradiation accelerator pedal - shaped , " pistol grip " variety … because they ’re more ergonomic inside the close confines of a elevator car ’s engine bay ( yeah , that ’s it ) . More importantly , the more expensive the timing light is , the more likely it will be soft to take even in brilliant consideration .
( This entropy , by the way , implement to mostly older vehicles , which use a distributor to transmit electrical zip to the electric arc plug . New gondola with distributorless lighting system use a reckoner to ascertain the kindling procedure . )
One cool thing about timing brightness level is that unlike a flashlight , you never have to worry about running out of succus to power the light . That is , as long as your car execute and is link to a shape 12 - voltbattery . Getting your timing light quick for action is breathtakingly simple . With the locomotive off , you merely clamp the timing light source ’s carmine wire to the battery ’s positive depot , then the black wire to the battery ’s minus terminal . in conclusion , you take the signal conducting wire and clamp it directly to the Number 1 spark plug telegram . ( If you ’re not certain which is the " Number 1 " spark plug wire , stop ! And get thee to a service manual or online owners ' forum for your fomite . )
With a few of the timing light out there , you might have to sequester the unit ’s arc signal pick - up telegram directly to the sparkle stopple tip . Most lightheaded units on the market today , however , trot right to the spark male plug wire itself . These inducive timing lights are able to notice the jar of electricity each time the spark plug ardour , similar to a doctor using a stethoscope to determine your body ’s heart rate . When you force the trigger of the timing lighter ( with the engine melt down ) , each time the Number 1 plug fires , the timing visible light flashes a shaft of light .
Through a phenomenon known as the stroboscopic outcome , a decently aimed timing light will signal where the Number 1 Walter Piston is in its up - and - down travel when the spark fire . Representatively speaking , that is . evidently , you do n’t see the actual Walter Piston ’s location . or else , the timing of the spark is measured in terms of degree . The degree come to to how far thecrankshafthas rotated relative to the Number 1 cylinder ’s piston at top all in inwardness ( TDC ) of the compressing stroke .
On some vehicles , the crankshaft pulley has a crew of degree marks and Book of Numbers on it . The engine has a soft touch right next to the pulley that exemplify TDC . The strobing timing light " freezes " the motion of the pulley and allows you to see how many degrees before or after TDC the glint is fire . By manipulate the distributor cap ( turning it somewhat clockwise or anticlockwise ) , you could correct that timing of the spark delivery . To make thing more confusing : Sometimes the timing marks are find on the flywheel or even on the fan pulley . And sometimes the indicators are reversed . So just say your fomite ’s manual of arms and be intimate what you ’re looking for before you start wave that light gun around !
For any phone number of reasons , a person might wish the spark to fire earlier than the piston reaching TDC ( this means the timing is advanced ) . Conversely , if extravagant knock is a trouble , it might seem a better idea to have the spark ignite the fuel slimly after the plunger hand TDC ( this means the timing is retarded ) .
How do you have a go at it what the proper timing specifications are ? you’re able to easily discover that on your Vehicle Emission Control Information Label ( site on the underside of the hood or along a fender well for vehicles work up in the United States ) or in a service manual specific to your fomite .
These are generalized instructions for how timing and a timing luminosity works . Depending on the quirks of your fomite and which timing twinkle you use , what you really see under the goon may differ . you could expend more advanced process ( for example , adjusting the vacuum timing ) to wring even more fine tuned performance out of your fomite . Regardless , the best affair to do is learn the specific instructions in your vehicle ’s service manual , and the way that do with the manikin of timing light you apply . Also , think of that any aftermarket equipment you install , like non - stock spark plugs or spark plug wires , could result in inaccurate readings .
Timing Light FAQ
Lots More Information
With systems on cars becoming more and more computerized , black boxed-in , and generally unuseable by the typical home base - service department mechanic , older shoal auto repair subjects such as " timing " and " timing lights " seem ever more quaint . Still , sight of drivers keep " older " railcar that utilize a distributor kindling system .
I rank understanding how a timing light work right up there with knowing how to force back reefer shift . You may never have to do either ( or never have the opportunity , as I see it ) . Both are skills that might descend in handy some day , but most people who are n’t elevator car crazy will likely get along just fine without them . But that is n’t the point . For railway car people , it ’s more than just nostalgia . It ’s about that visceral gumption of connection a person feels when a car becomes not just a transportation , but an extension of one ’s ego .
