AUTOMOTIVE TIMING
LIGHT - XENON
Model 03343
ASSEMBLY and OPERATING
INSTRUCTIONS
®
3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011
Copyright © 2003 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form
without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools .
For technical questions and replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353
9. Maintain tools with care. Keep tools clean for better and safer performance. Inspect
tool cords periodically, and if damaged, have them repaired by an authorized
technician. The handles must be kept clean, dry, and free from oil and grease at all
times.
10. Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, use common sense. Do not operate any tool
when you are tired.
11. Check for damaged parts. Before using any tool, any part that appears damaged
should be carefully checked to determine that it will operate properly and perform its
intended function. Check for alignment and binding of moving parts; any broken parts
or mounting fixtures; and any other condition that may affect proper operation. Any
part that is damaged should be properly repaired or replaced by a qualified
technician. Do not use the tool if the trigger does not turn On and Off properly.
12. Guard against electric shock. Prevent body contact with grounded surfaces such as
pipes, radiators, ranges, and refrigerator enclosures.
13. Replacement parts and accessories. When servicing, use only identical
replacement parts. Use of any other parts will void the warranty. Only use accessories
intended for use with this tool. Approved accessories are available from Harbor
Freight Tools.
14. Do not operate tool is under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Read warning
labels if taking prescription medicine to determine if your judgement or reflexes are
impaired while taking drugs. If there is any doubt, do not operate the Timing Light.
15. Maintenance. For your safety, maintenance should be performed regularly by a
qualified technician.
Note: Performance of this tool (if powered by line voltage) may vary depending on varia-
tions in local line voltage. Extension cord usage may also affect tool performance.
Warning: The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual
cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be under-
stood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors which cannot be
built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
Do not use the Timing Light if any of the wires are frayed or torn.
Warning! Whenever using the Timing Light, make sure your vehicle is in gear or park,
and the emergency brake is engaged. Park your vehicle on a flat, dry, level surface
when doing any vehicle maintenance.
Unpacking
When unpacking, check to make sure the parts listed on page 7 are included. If any parts
are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number on the cover of this
manual as soon as possible.
Page 3
SKU 03343
Operation
Timing Light Basics
Automobile engines work by mixing air, fuel and a spark to ignite the fuel/air mixture,
creating an explosion, that powers the vehicle. Maximum power from the explosion must
be delivered to the engine at a precise instant. Attaining that precise instant is called
“Timing”. Timing is essential to fuel economy and power. Automobile engine
manufacturers determine the exact timing necessary for every engine they build. Normal
engine and ignition system wear causes the timing to change, reducing both fuel efficiency
and power..
Engine manufacturers use two terms when describing timing, “advanced” and
“retarded”. Timing is advanced when the spark occurs before the piston reaches the top of
a cylinder. Timing is retarded when the spark occurs after the piston has started down in
the cylinder. Timing is changed by adjusting the ignition distributor. To set timing, the
engine manufacturer provides “timing marks” on either the engines vibration damper, fan
pulley, or on the engine flywheel. Read your vehicle’s manual or contact the
manufacturer for the location of timing marks on your engine. Also, refer to your
vehicle’s manual or contact the manufacturer for the timing specifications for your
particular engine.
Preparation for timing
1. Locate your engine’s timing mark by referring to the vehicle’s engine manual or
contacting the manufacturer.
2. Refer to your vehicle’s manual or contact the manufacturer for the timing specifications
for your particular engine.
3. Start the engine and run the engine until achieving normal operating temperature. This
may take from 10-15 minutes. Stop engine.
4. If your vehicle specifications and instructions require it, locate the vacuum line that
attaches to the ignition distributor vacuum advance and disconnect the line and plug the
end of it. A golf tee or small pencil may be used to plug the line.
5. Connect the timing light by one of the two options below, as shown in FIGURE 1.
Note: The Inductive Clamp (#4) is used to pick up the spark through the wire or by clamping
directly to the plug, as shown in FIGURE 1.
6. Start the engine and operate it at normal speed.
Warning! Be careful working around the engine while the engine is running. Moving belts
and the fan can cause severe injury if contacted. Metal engine parts release tremendous
heat. Do not come in contact with any part of the engine with your hands or body.
Note: The timing light must be connected to the spark plug for engine cylinder number 1.
Refer to the manufacturer’s specifications to determine the proper plug. See FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 1
DIRECT HOOK UP
INDUCTIVE PICK UP
To Timing Light
Inductive
Clamp
To Timing Light
Inductive
Clamp
Black Clamp
(Negative)
Black Clamp
(Negative)
Red Clamp
(Positive)
#1 Spark Plug
#1 Spark Plug
Red Clamp
(Positive)
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SKU 03343
Operation (continued)
7. Squeeze the trigger on the timing light and direct the flash onto the engine timing marks to
obtain a reading. Compare the reading from the timing mark to the reading in the
manufacturer’s specifications. If the timing does not match with the timing listed in the
manufacturer’s specifications, adjust the timing.
Adjusting the timing.
1. Loosen the bolt that locks down the distributor, but do not fully remove it. It should be loose
enough so that you can rotate the distributor back and forth. Do not over-loosen the bolt
allowing the distributor to move on its own.
2. Start and run the engine up to temperature.
3. Direct the beam from the Timing Light at the timing marks and slowly rotate the distributor
in very small increments. Rotate the distributor either right or left until the timing lines are
lined up (in line with the pointer). See FIGURE 2. Stop the engine.
4. Tighten the distributor lock down bolt using care not to change the position of the
distributor.
5. Start the engine and recheck the timing. If the timing is not right, you probably moved the
distributor while bolting it back down. Reset the timing.
FIGURE 3
FIGURE 2
To No.1 Spark Plug
Belt
Timing Marks
Max.
retard
Adapter
Spring
Rotation
Pointer
Pulley
Max.
Advance
Note: In some cases, the ignition spark may jump to the baffle or the engine block. This
usually occurs on late model 8 cylinders (Ford) because the timing light adaptor spring is too
close to metal engine parts. To solve the problem, follow the wire from the spark to the
distributor cap. Disconnect the wire at the cap and install an adapter spring (not included) as
shown in FIGURE 3.
6. If you have no other tests to perform with the Timing Light, turn off the engine and
reconnect the vacuum line. If you have further tests, first check to see if the vacuum line
needs to be connected for those tests.
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SKU 03343
Operation (continued)
Testing Centrifugal Advance
1. With the timing light still connected and the vacuum line still not attached, speed the
engine up slowly and watch the timing mark.
2. The timing mark should remain stationary until the engine reaches the manufacturer’s
specified speed. See FIGURE 3. Then the timing mark should move steadily, without jerking.
3. If the mark stays stationary or moves erratically, the Centrifugal Advance (or automatic
advances) should be serviced by an authorized service technician.
Testing Vacuum Advance
1. The vacuum line must be connected to the distributor for this test.
2. Idle the engine (no more than 800 rpms) and attach the vacuum line to the distributor.
Note: If it is difficult to do, decrease the engine speed.
3. Aim the Timing Light and note the position of the timing mark.
4. Disconnect the vacuum line.
5. If the timing mark stays still, the trouble could be a plugged line or a leaky diaphram, or a
frozen distributor plate. See an authorized service technician if the timing mark doesn’t move.
Checking Distributor Cam Wear
1. This test is done after the timing has been set and the timing light lines up with the
reference pointer for cylinder number 1.
2. Connect the Timing Light to the wire directly opposite (180 degrees) from the number 1
cylinder on the distributor cap. See FIGURE 4.
3. Start the engine and aim the Timing Light towards the timing mark. The reading should be
the same as when the Timing Light was hooked up to the number 1 cylinder. If not, the
probable cause is a worn out distributor cam or bent distributor shaft. Contact an authorized
service technician.
FIGURE 4
8 Cylinder
6 Cylinder
4 Cylinder
Opposite
Cylinder
Opposite
Cylinder
Opposite
Cylinder
No. 1
Cylinder
Cylinder
No. 1
Cylinder
The opposite cylinder is always opposite the number 1 cylinder on the distributor cap.
Maintenance
1. Keep the Timing Light clean by wiping it with a dry, lint free cloth.
2. Before and after each use, clean any dirt, grease, or debris off of the clamps.
Do not use the Timing Light if any of the wires are frayed or torn.
Page 6
SKU 03343
Parts List
Part No.
Description
1
2
3
4
Timing Light Body
Negative Clamp
Positive Clamp
Induction Clamp
1
Assembly Drawing
2
3
4
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY
THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS DIAGRAM IN THIS
MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR DISTRIBU-
TOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER THAT HE
OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT OR THAT HE OR SHE IS
QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER
AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS
SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS AND NOT BY THE
BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER
REPAIRS TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING
OUT OF HIS OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.
NOTE: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only and are not available
individually as replacement parts.
Page 7
SKU 03343
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