Timing Light No Flash

[MrMarty51]

Running through the timing procedure on the 70 Horse Force Enjun and the timing light would make a flash every so often then just quit all together.
I thought, CDI coils ? I removed the grounding wires I had shoved into the sparking plug wires and inserted the spark plugs and grounded the sparking plugs. They all fired bright blue and were very consistent about it.
then I thought, AHHAAA. Solid core wires. Got out the coffee jugs with the leftover plug wires and made one plug wire with the carbon core wire. Hooked that to the coil and grounded the other end. Old Mac inductive timing light went to perfectly flashing with that.
just a heads up if You think Your CD units or timing light has crapped out.

 

[gm280]

That's odd. Your timing light should work with any type plug wires and plugs. It sounds like your timing light uses an induction clip to trigger from. And I just don't understand how non-solid core wires won't fire the light. I have one and never ever had that problem. Maybe your timing light has some issues inside. I've actually had problems with an inductive timing light firing from adjacent plug wires before. IDK

 

[MrMarty51]

That's odd. Your timing light should work with any type plug wires and plugs. It sounds like your timing light uses an induction clip to trigger from. And I just don't understand how non-solid core wires won't fire the light. I have one and never ever had that problem. Maybe your timing light has some issues inside. I've actually had problems with an inductive timing light firing from adjacent plug wires before. IDK

Yeah Man. The induction pickup might be getting bad or weak. There is no more Mac tool trucks in the area so I guess if it totally dies I’ll do a send in.

 

[dwco5051]

I have found on mine if it sits in the cabinet unused for a year or two it get erratic. If I spray the flat surfaces on the clamp where the two halves meet with cleaner and wipe them clean it works as good as new. It is a least 30 years old and acts like a little crud build up, some type of film, or maybe a little corrosion forms on the flats.

 

[MrMarty51]

I have found on mine if it sits in the cabinet unused for a year or two it get erratic. If I spray the flat surfaces on the clamp where the two halves meet with cleaner and wipe them clean it works as good as new. It is a least 30 years old and acts like a little crud build up, some type of film, or maybe a little corrosion forms on the flats.

Thank You very much. I will give that a try and see how it does with the solid core plug wires.