Model:mayfair
Year:1987
right,
neither my snap on timing light or my superstrobe timing lights are picking up a spark from my running engine,
both lights work (tested on a different car)
can anyone help?
All the best
James
Timing Light Wont Pick Up
Started by
minirock
, Mar 29 2010 10:41 PM
4 replies to this topic
#1
minirock
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Posted 29 March 2010 - 10:41 PM
#2
dklawson
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Posted 30 March 2010 - 01:52 AM
There are many different types of lights and different connection methods used on older lights vs newer ones.
How did you connect these timing lights to the other cars where you saw the light work? Likewise, how have you connected the light to the Mini. In both cases tell us where you connected the pickup and power wires. Once you describe both hook up methods I'm sure one of us will be able to help more.
Without knowing anything that you've tried so far... if these lights have inductive pickups that clamp around the spark plug wire for #1, the clamp may be direction sensitive. Check by flipping the clamp over so its other side is towards the spark plug. Also try the pickup at multiple places along the spark plug wire between the distributor and plug #1.
How did you connect these timing lights to the other cars where you saw the light work? Likewise, how have you connected the light to the Mini. In both cases tell us where you connected the pickup and power wires. Once you describe both hook up methods I'm sure one of us will be able to help more.
Without knowing anything that you've tried so far... if these lights have inductive pickups that clamp around the spark plug wire for #1, the clamp may be direction sensitive. Check by flipping the clamp over so its other side is towards the spark plug. Also try the pickup at multiple places along the spark plug wire between the distributor and plug #1.
#3
minirock
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Posted 30 March 2010 - 06:09 PM
will try these tomorow at work and tell you the results
Cheers
Cheers
#4
minirock
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Posted 31 March 2010 - 10:50 PM
the clips arnt side sensitive and they both strobe on afew different cars?
Propper baffled
Propper baffled
#5
dklawson
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Posted 31 March 2010 - 11:14 PM
The next question then is... where are you getting power for the timing light when it's connected to the Mini?
I suggest the red clip go to the battery side of the starter solenoid (where all the brown wires connect to the solenoid) and the black earth lead to some place on the engine... like a mounting ear on the alternator or similar.
The reason I suggest this is... on some of my cars I connect the timing light to the ignition coil power and an earth spot. If you are doing this AND your car has a ballast ignition system, the lamp won't have enough power to work.
I suggest the red clip go to the battery side of the starter solenoid (where all the brown wires connect to the solenoid) and the black earth lead to some place on the engine... like a mounting ear on the alternator or similar.
The reason I suggest this is... on some of my cars I connect the timing light to the ignition coil power and an earth spot. If you are doing this AND your car has a ballast ignition system, the lamp won't have enough power to work.
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