Harbor Freight Tools Automobile Accessories 3343 User Manual

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  
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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  
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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)  
Page 4  
SKU 03343  
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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.  
Page 5  
SKU 03343  
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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  
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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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