Actron Inductive Timing Light Safety Guidelines, SIX 6 Volt Electrical Systems, Lead Connections

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SAFETY GUIDELINES

TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY AND/OR DAMAGE TO YOUR VEHICLE OR TEST EQUIPMENT, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE SAFETY RULES AND TEST PROCEDURES

TWELVE (12) VOLT POSITIVE (+)

GROUND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Steps 4 and 5 of LEAD CONNECTIONS below are revised to read as follows:

4. Connect the BLACK clip to the negative (-)

battery terminal.

missing, consult the vehicle service manual or appropriate service literature for the engine under test. It is important to note that prepara- tion is specific to each engine.

NOTE

SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Fire Extinguisher

Never work on your car without having a suitable fire extinguisher handy. A 5-lb or larger CO2 or dry chemical unit specified for gasoline/chemical/electrical fires is recom- mended.

Fireproof Container

Rags and flammable liquids should be stored only in fireproof, closed metal containers. A gasoline-soaked rag should be allowed to dry thoroughly outdoors before being discarded.

Safety Goggles

We recommend wearing safety goggles when working on your car, to protect your eyes from battery acid, gasoline, and dust and dirt flying off moving engine parts.

NOTE: Never look directly into the carburetor throat while the engine is cranking or running, as sudden backfire can cause burns.

LOOSE CLOTHING AND LONG HAIR (MOVING PARTS)

Be very careful not to get your hands, hair or clothes near any moving parts such as fan blades, belts and pulleys or throttle and trans- mission linkages. Never wear neckties or loose clothing when working on your car.

JEWELRY

Never wear wrist watches, rings or other jew- elry when working on your car. You’ll avoid the possibility of catching on moving parts or causing an electrical short circuit which could shock or burn you.

VENTILATION

The carbon monoxide in exhaust gas is highly toxic. To avoid asphyxiation, always operate vehicle in a well-ventilated area. If vehicle is in an enclosed area, exhaust should be routed directly to the outside via leakproof exhaust hose.

SETTING THE BRAKE

Make sure that your car is in Park or Neutral, and that the parking brake is firmly set.

NOTE: Some vehicles have an automatic re-

lease on the parking brake when the gear shift lever is removed from the PARK position. This feature must be disabled when it is necessary (for testing) to have the parking brake engaged when in the DRIVE position. Refer to your vehicle service manual for more information.

HOT SURFACES

Avoid contact with hot surfaces such as ex- haust manifolds and pipes, mufflers (catalytic converters), radiator and hoses. Never re- move the radiator cap while the engine is hot, as escaping coolant under pressure may seri- ously burn you.

SMOKING AND OPEN FLAMES

Never smoke while working on your car. Gaso- line vapor is highly flammable, and the gas formed in a charging battery is explosive.

BATTERY

Do not lay tools or equipment on the battery. Accidentally grounding the “HOT” battery ter- minal can shock or burn you and damage wiring, the battery or your tools and testers. Be careful of contact with battery acid. It can burn holes in your clothing and burn your skin or eyes.

When operating any test instrument from an auxiliary battery, connect a jumper wire be- tween the negative terminal of the auxiliary battery and ground on the vehicle under test. When working in a garage or other enclosed area, auxiliary battery should be located at least 18 inches above the floor to minimize the possibility of igniting gasoline vapors

HIGH VOLTAGE

High voltage — 30,000 to 50,000 volts — is present in the ignition coil, distributor cap, ignition wires and spark plugs. When handling ignition wires while the engine is running, use insulated pliers to avoid a shock. While not lethal, a shock may cause you to jerk involun- tarily and hurt yourself.

JACK

The jack supplied with the vehicle should be used only for changing wheels. Never crawl under car or run engine while vehicle is on a jack.

5. Connect the RED clip to a secure engine

ground such as the alternator/generator

bracket or engine block. For safety rea-

sons, do not use the positive (+) battery

terminal or fuel system components as a

ground connection point.

All other instructions remain as listed.

SIX (6) VOLT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

Follow the steps listed below to use your tim- ing light on vehicles equipped with six (6) volt electrical systems. A twelve (12) volt battery is required. This can be any automotive, or mo- torcycle battery.

1.Connect the RED clip from the timing light to the positive (+) terminal of the twelve

(12)volt battery.

2.Connect the BLACK clip from the timing light to the negative (-) terminal of the twelve (12) volt battery.

3.Obtain a jumper wire (minimum wire size l8 AWG).

4.Connect one end of the jumper wire to the negative (-) terminal of the twelve (12) volt battery.

5.Connect the other end of the jumper wire to a clean, secure ground on the vehicle un- der test. The jumper wire must go to ground on the vehicle regardless of whether the vehicle is a positive (+) or negative (-) ground system.

6.Connection to the number one (1) spark plug and remaining procedures are the same as described later in this manual.

ENGINE PREPARATION FOR TIMING

In order for any engine to be base (initially) timed correctly, it is important to carefully fol- low the instructions as shown on the Vehicle Emission Control label. This label is located under the hood in the engine compartment. Some typical locations are: the underside of the hood, the fender well, a valve cover, or in the area of the hood latch. If the label is

The procedures outlined below instruct the user to connect the spark plug pickup (direct hookup or inductive clamp style) to the number one (1) spark plug wire. This procedure is valid for the majority of engines in use today. There are however, some engines which are timed using the “averaging” method. The most popu- lar user of this method is General Motors where it is recommended for some of there smaller four (4) cylinder engines beginning in 1982. Your timing light has “average timing” capability. The only change in hookup is that instead of connecting the spark plug pickup to the number one (1) spark plug wire, it is con- nected to the coil tower wire, that is, the wire between the ignition coil and the center of the distributor cap. Consult your vehicle service manual for exact procedures.

When using an advance timing light, note that average timing is used only for initial or base timing with the timing light’s advance control set fully counterclockwise at “0”. Timing ad- vance measurements must be made with the inductive pickup clamped around the number one (1) spark plug wire. Timing advance mea- surements attempted with the inductive pickup clamped around the coil tower wire will not produce valid results.

LEAD CONNECTIONS

1.Figure 1 shows the typical hookup proce- dure for most applications. To insure safety, follow the hookup sequence listed below.

2.Make sure the engine is OFF, and the ignition key is OFF.

3.(Inductive Pickup equipped timing light) Clamp the inductive pickup around the num- ber one (1) spark plug wire. Do not allow the inductive pickup to touch the exhaust mani- fold or surrounding parts as these areas become extremely hot and will damage the inductive clamp.

(Direct connection equipped timing light). Remove the number one (1) spark wire from either the spark plug end, or the distributor end, whichever is more conven- ient, but without compromising safety. See the NOTE below.

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Contents Industrial Parkway Vehicle MANUAL, Sources for Service InformationIntroduction Cleveland, OhioEngine Preparation for Timing Safety GuidelinesSIX 6 Volt Electrical Systems Lead ConnectionsEngine Preparation for Timing Timing AdjustmentsEngine Timing Check Centrifugal Advance System Timing AdvanceVacuum Advance System Checks Operational TestImportante Full ONE 1 Year WarrantyIntroduccion Industrial Parkway Cleveland, OhioSistemas Electricos DE Seis 6 Voltios Reglas DE Seguridad+ a Tierra DE Doce 12 Voltios Preparacion Para LA Regulacion DEL MotorNota Prueba DE LA Regulación DEL MotorAjuste de la regulación Conectar la pinza Roja al borne positivo + de la bateríaReajustar la velocidad en vacío del motor, si es necesario Sistema DE Avance CentrifugoRevisiones DEL Sistema DE Avance DE Vacio Prueba operacional

Inductive Timing Light specifications

The Actron Inductive Timing Light is a valuable tool for automotive enthusiasts and professionals alike, designed to assist in achieving optimal engine performance through accurate timing adjustments. This device is essential for diagnosing ignition timing issues and ensuring that your vehicle's engine runs efficiently.

One of the standout features of the Actron Inductive Timing Light is its easy-to-read digital display, which provides clear information on the timing of your engine. This eliminates guesswork, as users can see real-time readings while making adjustments. The timing light also includes a built-in advance feature, enabling users to set and display timing offsets, which can be particularly useful for specific tuning situations or performance upgrades.

The inductive pickup technology utilized in the Actron Timing Light allows for easy and safe connection to the ignition system. This non-intrusive method picks up the spark signal from the ignition wire without needing to cut or modify any wiring. This feature not only enhances safety during operation but also makes the timing light compatible with a wide range of vehicles, including those with various ignition systems.

Additionally, the unit is designed with a lightweight and ergonomic body, providing comfort and ease of use during extended periods of operation. The durable construction ensures that it can withstand the rigors of a professional shop or a home garage environment, making it a reliable tool for years to come.

The Actron Inductive Timing Light also features a bright Xenon flash that makes it possible to see the timing mark even in brightly lit conditions or under the hood of a vehicle. This ensures that users can work efficiently, regardless of the environment.

Moreover, the device is equipped with a long cable, providing ample reach when working under the hood, allowing for ease of placement and flexibility during use. The compact design ensures that it can be easily stored, making it a practical addition to any mechanic's toolbox.

In summary, the Actron Inductive Timing Light combines advanced technology with robust construction and user-friendly features. This makes it an indispensable tool for anyone seeking to optimize vehicle performance through precise ignition timing adjustments. By choosing the Actron Timing Light, users invest in reliability, accuracy, and ease of use, making it a staple in automotive diagnostics.
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