TheSamba.com :: View topic - Faulty Harbor Freight Timing Light!! Ugh!!!

Sat May 11, 2013 1:05 pm

Spent months trying to figure out a hesitation problem with my 74 Beetle. After several tune up parts replacements and a carb rebuild I final discovered that my Harbor Freight Timing light was bad. Borrowed a old Craftsman light from work and found the timing was waaaaay off!! Runs like new again.

Sat May 11, 2013 1:51 pm

You get what u pay for...some stuff is ok but other stuff well ,,,....u know where I'm going with this.....

Sat May 11, 2013 2:14 pm

apl727 wrote: Spent months trying to figure out a hesitation problem with my 74 Beetle. After several tune up parts replacements and a carb rebuild I final discovered that my Harbor Freight Timing light was bad. Borrowed a old Craftsman light from work and found the timing was waaaaay off!! Runs like new again.

The operative word here is "old." I read that the new Craftsman timing lights are crap as well.

Sat May 11, 2013 5:37 pm

I was about to go buy a new one from HF last week. Glad I didn't and tried out dad's old Heathkit light again. I didn't think it was working well last time out, but this time old reliable did great. It's true they don't build anything like they used to.

Mon May 13, 2013 3:18 pm

I bought a digital Actron timing light (about $90) a year ago and it's worked quite well for me so far.

I also have an Actron multimeter that seems to be pretty decent. I bought a cheapo Actron dwell meter which was basically hosed from the factory, but the digital multimeter has also worked flawlessly.

Mon May 13, 2013 3:23 pm

I have what appears to be a problem with my timing light, as well. When I try to set timing on my motor with it running it tells me that at idle I'm running like 24 deg. BTDC! When I get the rpm's up it only advances another 4-6 deg. If I try to back the timing off it retards so far it won't run. When I disconnect all the plug wires and set timing by simply cranking the motor then I get the correct timing at about 8 deg. BTDC. Total advance works out to be about 28 deg. BTDC. BUT... I don't have another timing light to verify this. Part of me is concerned that this is a problem with my electronic ignition module. It is a Stinger S4. Need to find another timing light to see.

Mon May 13, 2013 3:46 pm

It always pays to spend a little extra on good quality parts and tools.

Mon May 13, 2013 3:51 pm

britegreenVWSB wrote: I have what appears to be a problem with my timing light, as well. When I try to set timing on my motor with it running it tells me that at idle I'm running like 24 deg. BTDC! When I get the rpm's up it only advances another 4-6 deg. If I try to back the timing off it retards so far it won't run. When I disconnect all the plug wires and set timing by simply cranking the motor then I get the correct timing at about 8 deg. BTDC. Total advance works out to be about 28 deg. BTDC. BUT... I don't have another timing light to verify this. Part of me is concerned that this is a problem with my electronic ignition module. It is a Stinger S4. Need to find another timing light to see.

When you start introducing black-box ignition modules, all bets are off, but...

what model distributor? what carb?

Mon May 13, 2013 8:51 pm

DeadheadSF wrote: britegreenVWSB wrote: I have what appears to be a problem with my timing light, as well. When I try to set timing on my motor with it running it tells me that at idle I'm running like 24 deg. BTDC! When I get the rpm's up it only advances another 4-6 deg. If I try to back the timing off it retards so far it won't run. When I disconnect all the plug wires and set timing by simply cranking the motor then I get the correct timing at about 8 deg. BTDC. Total advance works out to be about 28 deg. BTDC. BUT... I don't have another timing light to verify this. Part of me is concerned that this is a problem with my electronic ignition module. It is a Stinger S4. Need to find another timing light to see.

When you start introducing black-box ignition modules, all bets are off, but...

what model distributor? what carb?

Gene Berg used to sell these units "back in the day." It is a Stinger S4 ignition which consists of ignition module, modified distributor for VW use, and a Stinger coil. The carbs are 44 idf's. Here's a pic: