How to Use a Timing Light

There are two types of timing, mechanical and electronic. The mechanical timing is set at the timing belt (see my timing belt videos!) and the electronic timing can be set with a timing light by rotating the distributor until 20 degrees BTDC is achieved.

I am not a professional mechanic and the methods described in my videos are solely based on my research and intuition. I make mistakes and when I do, I try to point them out so others don't make the same mistakes. These videos are meant only as a description of what I was trying to do and how I went about doing it. Before attempting any service on your car, conduct your own research and use common sense.

[lilgil]

The only person to explain it and SHOW what the indicator looks like . THANK YOU

[nickstapleton]

I think you are the first person on the internet to actually explain this step by step

[siphamandlagiftmbewu]

Now i understand what is the timing light meant to be used for, thank you for simplifying this process.

Some YouTubers can't explain sh*t.

I will download this video and keep it

[DarrenSteele-mxks]

Sadly most of these "how to" videos are for classic cars or trucks and I just want to learn to use a light to set the timing for my Nissan Quest Van to be honest you made it so simple So what I understand is that I set my dial to 15* and the mark on the balancer will be "0" or the other way around- how easy is that!

[theballsick]

I’ve relied on your channel a few times for my Infiniti M30, which has the same VG30E engine. Man your videos are extremely informative with no filler. Thank you very much

[mozzle]

Great video. Actually show how to use the timing light. Most of these don’t describe the use of the light but only say how to ask the timing. Thanks.

[floydpatterson]

I can set the timing on my 92 Honda Accord thank you so much for the information

[videoeditor]

Thanks man!! Great explanation. I didn’t know that the yellow dot on the harmonic balancer would show alignment if it would be restarted or advanced. Sweet!!!

[codytuggle]

Most helpful video on timing ive watched!

[sinnieleeonUtube]

Does every crankshaft have the arrow and a distinct mark that represents the timing degree your car need to set to? In your video you set the timing light to zero degree and make sure every time the light flashes, the mark line up with the arrow. So the mark does not have to show up every time ? Just often enough to say the timing is somewhat on track ? How do you know to turn the distributor to the left or to the right (trial and error)? What if you set the timing light to 20 degrees, which mark then need to line up with the arrow. thanks

[tooflysean]

Thanks bossman needed to change my dizzy on my 305 camaro

[Dookieandsons]

Did you ever look into the throttle body swap I was just wondering if you knew about it or if it would go smoothly they say something about the 240SX throttle body because it's 60 mm and the Nissan Maxima throttle body or the Nissan stanza the only issue anybody ever had is that coolant line but if you delete that coolant line which I am doing currently it with a lot of my hardlines most everything's already been deleted but I'm finishing it up now but long as you delete the coolant line are you have to do is flip it upside down and you're good to go and you have a 60 mm rather than a 56 I think I'm going to go for this I know where 2:40 is with everything still on it I'm going to try the throttle body out and see if it makes me get a little more air and I'm also doing the G35 alternator tomorrow because I have a old school Kenwood thousand watt amplifier on two 12 and a lot of LED lights I have also dug out all the wires so I can while back my factory fuel injector harness instead of the Nissan campaign I hate how they did that to so many cars with the fuel injector wiring that just seems unprofessional to me to add a bunch of janky ugly wires and not do it correctly what is batch mode that just sounds like not correct mode is What I Hear What I Hear That

[deynna]

OMG I'm subbing to your channel, this was so simple to to the point, why can't others just explain shit this simply

[extremewhitetail]

Question! Do I need to paint my timing mark. It looks like they are just metal indentions on the crankshaft.

[raymondtrimm]

How do you find your 20 degree mark. I just found an old KAL-LITE timing light in a house I just bought. I’m also a diesel mechanic apprentice so when I find tools I’m unfamiliar with I make myself familiar with them.

[TanveerAhmed-gljk]

Briliant stuff straight to the point.
Good video thanks buddy.👍👍👍

[bluewater]

Nicely presented! Very informative. The adjustment for rotating the distributor looked to be fairly limited. Are there situations where you need to adjust it more than what that slot allows and if so how is it done? Just curious. Thanks for the vid!

[ianjgd]

... that's a pinch bolt. No cover will not cause damage you'll just see it wear out faster if in a dirty environment. No1 Plug. Top Dead Centre. Thxs.

[kevinrendon]

I know this is a while now, I have egr, and idle control deleted now, someone said you need to unplug the TPs when you do the ignition timing, is that true ?

[MrJohanthejohan]

What would happen to a z if it has bad timing. I think my 84 z31 turbo timing is off. Because my car starts up and runs but as it starts to warm up or just driving after a bit it dies and won’t cut on anymore. Until after it cools down. What could be a reason it’s doing this?