Performance Tool W80587 Digital Advance Timing Lights Owner’s Manual

SELF POWERED
TIMING LIGHT
Item Number W80587

WARNING:
It is the owner and/or operators’ responsibility to study all WARNINGS, operating, and maintenance instructions contained on the product label and instruction manual prior to the operation of this product. The owner/operator shall retain product instructions for future reference.
The owner and/or operator are responsible for maintenance, maintaining all decals or warning labels, and while in use, maintaining the unit in good working order. If the owner and/or operator are not fluent in English, the product warnings and instructions shall be read and discussed in the operators’ native language by the purchaser/owner or his designee. Make sure that the operator comprehends its contents. Safety information shall be emphasized and understood prior to usage. The product shall be inspected per the operating instructions.
Users of this product must fully understand these instructions. Each person operating this product must also be of sound mind and body and must not be under the influence of any substance that might impair their vision, dexterity, or judgment.
Protect yourself and others by observing all safety information.
Failure to comply with instructions could result in personal injury and/or property damage! If you encounter any problems or difficulties, please contact our customer service department at:
1-800-426-1262 between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.
If you encounter any problems or difficulties, please contact our customer service department at:
1-800-426-1262 between 6:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Pacific time.

WARNING: This product and its packaging contain a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
WARNING: The warnings, cautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense and caution are factors that cannot be built into this product but must be supplied by the operator. Read and understand all of the instructions provided in the instruction manual of this product, as well as, any other tool(s) used with this product.

WHAT IS TIMING?

In order for an automobile engine to function, three things are necessary: air, fuel, and a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture and create an explosion. The precise instant of that explosion must be such that the maximum power is delivered to the engine piston. This is “Timing.” Each engine manufacturer determines at the factory the exact timing necessary for various engines so that each ounce of power is obtained from every gallon of fuel. Due to normal engine and ignition system wear, the timing can change and will reduce both power and mileage. With the Xenon timing light, the car owner can reset the timing to the new car standards and regain lost power and increase mileage.
Timing is given in degrees Before Top Dead Center (BTDC) or After Top Dead Center (ATDC) in the manufacturer’s specifications. In order to completely burn the air/fuel mixture in the car’s engine cylinders, most timing is such that the spark occurs at a point several degrees
before top dead center (for example, 4 BTDC) to assure that full power of the explosion is obtained.
Two additional terms that manufacturers use when describing timing are; “Advanced” and “Retarded.” When the timing is advanced, the spark will occur before the piston reaches the top of the engine cylinder (BTDC). On some late model cars equipped with various emission control devices, the timing is retarded so that
the spark occurs after the piston has started down in the cylinder (ATDC). Engine timing is changed by adjustment of the ignition distributor.
In order to allow setting and adjustment of the engine timing, special “Timing Marks” are provided on each engine during assembly. In most cases, these marks appear on the engine harmonic balancer attached to the crank pulley at the lower front of the engine.

WHEN TO CHECK TIMING

The instant of spark plug firing is determined by the opening of the distributor ignition breaker points and will change any time the point gap or dwell angle is changed. In addition, normal wear on the breaker point‐rubbing block will have the same effect on the point gap or dwell angle. While cars equipped with the new “breaker less Electronic Ignition Systems” will not normally change timing since there are no breaker points, the timing light can still be used to note changes in timing caused by troubles in the ignition system as well as for resetting timing when components are changed or he vehicle is tuned.

TIMING SPECIFICATIONS

As noted in earlier paragraphs, timing requirements vary from engine to engine and for this reason, the engine manufacturer’s specification should always be referred to before making an adjustment. These specifications are contained in the car owner’s manual, and typically on the underhood decal specifications.

GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES

1.  Locate engine‐timing mark, see figure 1. Us a rag to clean all grease and dirt from the mark and the pointer. It may help to use chalk or white paint on the marks to make them more easily seen.
2. Check manufacturer’s specifications for correct timing for the engine being serviced.
3.  Start and run the engine until the normal operating temperature is reached. Approximately 15 minutes. Stop engine.
4. If specifications require, locate the vacuum line going to the ignition distributor vacuum advance and disconnect and plug the line. A golf tee or small pencil may be used to seal the line.
5.  Connect the timing light as shown in figure 2.
6.  Start the engine and operate at normal idle speed. Aim the timing light at the timing mark, be cautious of moving parts.
7.  Trigger the timing light and observe the reading from the timing mark.
   CAUTION: Use care when working around the moving engine. The stroboscopic action will make moving parts appear to be in slow motion. Keep hands, tools, and timing light clear of moving fan, belts, or other moving parts.

GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES CONT.

8.  Compare reading obtained in step 7 with manufacturers’ specifications. If timing is not as specified readjust as described in the following procedure
9.  Stop engine.

INSTRUCTIONS

Adjusting Timing to Specification

1. Loosen distributor hold down locking bolt located at the base of distributor enough so that distributor may be rotated back and forth, Do not over loosen or remove bolt but leave tight enough to prevent the distributor from turning by itself.
2.  Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature
3.  Direct timing light flashes at timing marks and slowly rotate the distributor right and left until the timing marks are realigned with a pointer to factory spec., see figure 1 above.
4. Stop engine.
5. Tighten distributor hold down bolt‐using care not.
6. Start the engine and recheck the timing.

To use an advance timing light for checking the “Idle Timing”

Adjust the advance to 0 (zero) on the timing light with the + and – buttons located on the back of the
timing light, see figure 3.
Follows the “Operating Procedures In General” from above.

1. Pull the trigger on the timing light, point the light at the timing mark on the vehicle.
2. Use the + or – buttons on the timing light see fig. 3, to move the mark to the 0 (zero) line on the harmonic balancer in fig. 4
3. Look at the figure on the back of the timing light, this is your Idle Timing.

Checking the Centrifugal Advance and Vacuum Advance

1.  Follows the “Operating Procedures In General” from above, except increase the engine speed to 2000 rpm. Refer to the factory owner’s manual for the recommended rpm.
2. Trigger the timing light and use the + an – buttons located on the back of the timing light. Stop when the timing mark moves to TDC or O position.
3.  Look at the figure on the back of the timing light, add this to your idle timing figure. This is your Total Timing.
4. Compare the reading with the manufacturer’s specification.

INSTRUCTIONS CONT.

Testing Centrifugal Advance

1. With the timing light still connected and with the vacuum line disconnected:
2. Speed the engine up slowly and watch the timing mark.
3. The timing mark should remain stationary until the engine reaches the manufactures specified speed. The timing mark should then move steadily and without jerking.
4.  If the mark does not move, or if it moves erratically, the centrifugal (automatic) advance should be serviced as necessary.
5. To check the maximum advance stop the engine.
6.  It’s necessary to mark the harmonic balance with the maximum degree per manufacturer’s specifications and follow the manufacture’ procedures.

Testing Vacuum Advance

1. The vacuum line to the distributor must be connected to make this test.
2. Set engine speed to 800 R.P.M or speed necessary to apply vacuum to the distributor.
3.  Aim the timing light and note the position of the timing Mark.
4.  Disconnect vacuum line.
5. If the timing mark does not move, the trouble could be a plugged line. A leaky diaphragm or a
   frozen distributor Plate and the distributor should be serviced as required.

Checking Distributor Cam Wear

1. This check is done after the timing has been set and the timing mark lines up with the reference pointer for #1 cylinder.
2. Connect the timing light to the wire directly opposite (180) #1 cylinder on the distributor cap, see figure 5.
3. Start the engine and aim the timing light towards the timing mark. The reading should be the same as when connected to #1 cylinder.
4. If reading is not the same, the probable cause is worm out distributor cam or bent distributor shaft. Repair as required.

Small Engines

The DC power Timing Light can be used on any combustion engine with impulse ignition, magneto ignition, such as motorcycle, lawnmowers, outboard motors, or any time there is a high voltage spark used for ignition.
When 12 Volt DC voltage is not available from the engine being tested, an external battery of 12V must be used. Connect a ground from the negative post of the external battery to the engine.
Connect the red clip to the (+) positive terminal and the black clip to the (‐) negative terminal of the battery. Connect the adaptor lead of the timing light to the proper spark plug.

INSTRUCTIONS CONT.

Rotary Engine
The timing Light can be used on rotary engines. Follow the manufacture’s specific instructions and specifications. Below is a typical procedure for the Mazda twin-rotor engine.

1.  Connect the Red and Black power leads clamps to the battery. Connect the wire with the spark plug adaptor to the leading spark plug on the front rotor housing.
2. Start the engine and run at idle speed.
3.  Aim the timing light at the timing indicator pin on the front cover
4. Loosen the distributor locking nuts and rotate the leading side distributor body until the timing mark on the eccentric shaft pulley is in line with the timing indicator pin.
5. Tighten the locking nuts and recheck the timing.
6.  Repeat the above step for setting the trailing side distributor timing with the timing light connected to the trailing spark plug.

TROUBLESHOOTING

Ail timing lights are tested 100% before they are shipped from the factory and improper operation is usually caused by incorrect hook‐up. Please observe the above troubleshooting procedure if the timing light fails to perform satisfactorily.

post.
No Flash but double-check indicator is “ON”| Wrong direction of the inductive clamp.| Toward the arrow on the clamp to #1 plug.
Weak ignition or spark plug. The gap is too close.| Connect to other plugs or spark plug wires. If flashes then repair the plug gap.
Fault Lamp| Replace it.
Light Flashes Intermittently| Timing light high-tension wire lying on or too close to the other spark plug wires.| Place the high tension wire in good order so it is routed away from the other spark plug wires.

NOTES

NOTES

LIMITED WARRANTY

PERFORMANCE TOOL extends only the following warranties, and only to original retail purchasers. These warranties give specific legal rights. Except where prohibited by local law, the law of the State of Washington governs all warranties and all exclusions and limitations of warranties and remedies.
There may be other rights that vary from state to state.
PERFORMANCE TOOL warrants the product to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service. A defective product may be returned for a free replacement within 90 days from the date of purchase, provided that the product is returned to the place of purchase immediately after the discovery of the defect. After 90 days and up to 1 year from the date of purchase, PERFORMANCE TOOL will replace at no charge any parts which our examination shall disclose to be defective and under warranty. These warranties shall be valid only when a sales receipt showing the date of purchase accompanies the defective product or defective part(s) being returned. For part(s) after 90 days, please remit your request, postage prepaid to:
PERFORMANCE TOOL, P.O. Box 88259 Tukwila, WA 98138
These warranties exclude blades, bits, punches, dies, bulbs, fuses, and other consumables which must be replaced under normal use and service. These warranties shall not apply to any product or part which is used for a purpose for which it is not designed or which has been repaired or altered in any way so as to affect adversely its performance or reliability, nor shall these warranties apply to any product or part which has been subject to misuse, neglect, accident or wear and tear incident to normal use and service.
PERFORMANCE TOOL does not authorize any other person to make any warranty or to assume any liability in connection with its products.
Except for warranties of title and the limited express warranties set forth above, PERFORMANCE TOOL makes no express or implied warranties of any kind with respect to its products. In particular, PERFORMANCE TOOL makes no implied warranty of merchantability and no implied warranty of fitness for any particular purpose, except that for goods purchased primarily for personal, family, or household use and not for commercial or business use, PERFORMANCE TOOL makes an implied warranty of merchantability (and, if otherwise applicable, an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose), but only for the particular qualities or characteristics, and for the duration, expressly warranted above. The laws on limitation of implied warranties may differ from state to
state, so the above limitations may not apply in all cases.
PERFORMANCE TOOL shall not be liable for consequential, incidental, or special damages resulting from or in any manner related to any product, or to the design, use, or any inability to use the product.
The sole and exclusive remedy for a defective product or part shall be the repair or replacement thereof as provided above. The laws on limitation of remedies or on consequential, incidental or special damages may vary from state to state, so the above limitations may not apply in all cases.

P.O. Box 88259
Tukwila, WA 98138
1-800-497-0552
Made in China
© Copyright 2017
www.wilmarcorp.com

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