The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Inductive Timing Light doesn't induct

Is there a trick for how the timing sensor is attached to the spark wire? I bought a new Performance Tool inductive timing light. When I attach the sensor to the #1 spark wire it just shines steady - it doesn't flash. I have it facing the spark plug as directed. The sensor is very loose on the spark wire, it slides down the wire. To see if I was hooking it up wrong, I tried it on the #2 wire and it flashed. Back to #1 no flash. Is there some method I'm missing to attach it to the wire? I went to the Performance Tool website to look for instructions - but of course there are none. Thanks in advance for any insights.
BTW, this is a 1946, stock 216 engine.

The inductive timing light clips are free to move on the wire. If it works on #2 and not on #1, I suspect that you need a new set of spark plug wires.

Try switching #1 and #2 wires on your engine (or install a spare wire you have laying around from the last set on #1) and and see if the light suddenly works on the new #1 plug wire. If it does, your plug wire is faulty. If it still doesn't work, I'd suspect a problem with the cap and/or rotor.

Another possibility is cross leakage/inductance between plug wire #1 and #2, make sure the wires are separated well.

Good point. Don't let other plug wires touch #1.

You could clamp it around the wire coming from the coil to the distributor. It will flash 6 times as often but it will let you set your timing.

Shorted out spark plug, or a bad wire. Try swapping a different wire to the #1 spark plug- - - - -if it flashes, buy a new set of wires.
Jerry

Thank you for all the responses. Here's an update.
I tried a spare spark plug wire on #1 - steady light. I tried on #2 again - steady light. I tried on #4 - flashed OK. Back to #1 - steady light. Back to #4 again - steady light. Aarrgh.
At that point I gave up for several days.

This morning, I wondered if it made a difference that the wire on the timing light between the clip-on sensor and the light was wrapped/gathered by a twist tie? Previously I left it on as I didn't need the length. I took off the twist tie and stretched out the wire....it works fine.

I'm glad it is working - but must say I feel pretty dumb!
Thanks for the help.

Created a coil or something. Glad it works.

Not surprised- - - - -the inductive trigger senses the magnetic field created as the spark impulse passes through the wire. Tying the wires together interrupts the induction and confuses the flash trigger circuit in the timing light.
Jerry

Especially when the lead is folded back on itself.

I was setting up a control system that got input from a level sensor in a well and had it mocked up in a shop. I had the leads in a coil on the table and got no signal from the sensor. After trying everything I could think of I finally strung the leads out on the floor and it worked fine. I assume it was picking up interference from the fluorescent lights in the shop.