Timing light issues.

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James R

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Feb 1, 2007
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2,681
Tried my Actron 2/4 stroke Tl on a 76 merc850. Came on then shut off completely.
History is. I have a Mac, a new replacement sitting on the shelf, blown like the first Mac. Bought an Actron from Sears it blew. Sears replaced it and that has just blown. Took it back and got my money back. This has been over a period of two years.
I have been able to use all these Tl's about 4 or 5 times then they blow.
Can anyone help me on this problem. Has anyone had similar problems. Yes I connect them correctly and I do have new batteries. They are kept in my shop which is clean and has a good temperature year round.
 
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CharlieB

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Apr 10, 2007
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Re: Timing light issues.

My Sears light is over 30 years old, it quit a couple of times so I removed the plug and wired it straight in, only failure after that was when I dropped and cracked the inductive pick-up, replaced that with a slide-type Snap-On unit. That was in about '82, always works, still.
 
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Chris1956

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Mar 25, 2004
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Re: Timing light issues.

I agree with Charlie. Sounds like operator error, sorry.

I have had the same timing light that I inherited from my dad, 20 years ago. He originally had one from his uncle's garage(late 1940's), but broke down and bought one with an inductive pickup, as it was more convenient than the old style inline timing lights. I still use it.
 
J

James R

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Re: Timing light issues.

Thanks for the responses guys. What you have told me is that the old units work. That was probably pre China.
I fail to see how it can be operator error, really what can one screw up. I also used timing lights back in the day with no problem.
 
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CharlieB

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Re: Timing light issues.

He does have a point, modern products from some manufacturers are of poor quality and short service life, but generally are able to make it thru their warranty period, slightly.

Maybe start checking eBay for an O L D Sears unit?
 
S

Star

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Sep 21, 2010
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Re: Timing light issues.

Is it posible you reversed the + and - connection when you hooked them up, that will blow some of them in a hurry!!!
 
J

James R

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Re: Timing light issues.

Because these units are obviously not polarity protected it behooves the user to pay special attention to the Pos and Neg.
I will take your advice Charlie B.
 
J

James R

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Re: Timing light issues.

James R said:
Because these units are obviously not polarity protected it behooves the user to pay special attention to the Pos and Neg.
I will take your advice Charlie B.
Click to expand...

Thought I would try a cheap one from HF. Lasted about twenty minutes. It goes back tomorrow. Is it something about two strokes that they don't like?
 
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HAS

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 16, 2010
Messages
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Re: Timing light issues.

I used my old sears inductive timing light yesterday to set the max. spark advance on my 1985 50hp. merc.,the light
worked right up to 5800 RPM. .........HAS
 
J

James R

Commander
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Feb 1, 2007
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2,681
Re: Timing light issues.

I now have two older model Sears units. They both work on a four stroke. Will test on the two strokes very soon.
Thanks for all the input guys.
 
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