Timing Lights

A timing light is an essential tool for service engineers and mechanics for fault diagnostics and timing adjustments. A timing light is a stroboscope and is used to dynamically set the ignition timing of a petrol engine. However with the onset of engine management systems and electronic control of ignition timing with most modern engines timing lights are now most commonly used for fault diagnostics.

The purpose of a timing light is to ensure that the spark in each cylinder occurs at the right instant for the most efficient ignition of petrol in the engine. Which over time can become off from the manufacturers recommendation.

How do they work work?
Most timing lights are powered via the cars own 12v battery and has a pickup lead that connects directly to the ignition leads of an engine. A bright flash of light occurs at the same time as the ignition spark creating a strobe. This illuminates the timing pointer mark on the rotating engine and freezes the image for that instant. Just by looking at the manufacturers timing marks you are able to see the position of the engine when the ignition spark occurs. The timing is then adjusted by altering the position of the ignition distributor.
Initial or basic timing is done at idle speed however is a higher speed is required you need a advanced timing light as at higher speed the spark happens earlier. Timing lights are available with an advanced dial that sets a delay in the flashing allowing the user to see the timing marks as they were before the engine speed was raised

Due to CE regulations all new timing lights now have Xenon light rather than the old Neon light. One of the advantages of the new Xenon lights is that they provide a brilliant bright blue/white light which can be seen on daylight and in bright workshop

For more information and to view a range of timing lights please visit IMG Automotive