Timing light wont light

I have power to the coil, its at TDC on #1 cylindar and the rotor is pointing to the #1 cylindar but when I hit the button on the gun (its the gun that connects to the battery then one wire to the distributor if that matters) nothing happens so I begin turning the distributor and nothing happen regardless of which way I turn it. Any ideas because im beginning to get a headache !!! thanks, Anthony

Set that old m buy the procedure in the manual and light it up!!!!

You need to get a proper static timing before you worry about a light, these old engines are not really set up to use a light on anyway.

Kevin, just followed the manual and got no spark at the primary terminal and its set to TDC #1...any ideas

Given this and your other thread "wireing problem" where you say you didn't get a spark when you tried to polarize the generator, I'm going to say you don't have a connection way back where those circuits are common, somewhere between the battery and the voltage regulator. i.e. battery connections, ammeter connection etc. Take a 6-volt test light or a volt meter and start working backwards until you find voltage. Make sure the battery ground cable is well grounded, not just bolted down to some paint or some rust.

Mag, distributor, good points, cond, etc.

Time for some troubleshooting which will need a volt ohm meter. You can check a few things with a test light.

Several have posted various troubleshooting methods depending on your ignition system.

Any pics of the ignition system?

There is no use for a timing light. Do not use it now.
Use a Ohm meter, or regular test light with 12v bulb. Make sure it lights by testing it across the battery posts.
It will not make spark unless the points are opened from a closed condition with the switch on, so don't try.
With the distributor where it is, but movable (not tight) put a test light on the terminal going into the side of the distributor (grounding the clamp lead to shiny metal of the engine. Pull the cap and rotor off so you can see the points. Remove the coil wire from the cap, and place it against the block (to keep from getting a jolt).
Turn on the ignition. If the lighe is not lit, turn the distributor toward the engine rotating the top inward. Just as the light lights (exactly there) the timing is on tdc lock the distributor down put it together and start it.
If the light is already lit, rotate the distributor away from the engine till the light goes out, then turn it back as above to just make it light up. If the light does not light at all, take the wire off of the distributor, and see if the light lights when it is touched to that loose wire. if it does, the points are grounded (possibly where the bolt holds the internal wires and condenser wire (the pass through)), or not adjusted to open at all.
Jim

I did everything you said and it didnt light at all. With the wire on the distributor the light did not light up, so i disconnected the wire from the distributor and the test light lit up, so I have power going in and coming out. you said the points might be grounded or not adjusted, how do i check to see if the wires are grounded or how do you adjust the points? also, how do you remove the black disk (dust cover maybe?) on the inside of the distributor so i can see the points/condensor?

thank you so much for the help Jim, i couldnt do this without you...~Anthony

never mind, I think i figured it out.

(quoted from post at 19:53:22 10/08/12) never mind, I think i figured it out.

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What did you figure out?????

(quoted from post at 17:54:28 10/08/12) I did everything you said and it didnt light at all. With the wire on the distributor the light did not light up, so i disconnected the wire from the distributor and the test light lit up, so I have power going in and coming out. you said the points might be grounded or not adjusted, how do i check to see if the wires are grounded or how do you adjust the points? also, how do you remove the black disk (dust cover maybe?) on the inside of the distributor so i can see the points/condensor?

thank you so much for the help Jim, i couldnt do this without you...~Anthony

Click to expand...

I read this to say that you have not been into the distributor yet. Is that true???

If so, pull it back off and check the weights, bearings, replace points, condenser, etc. set it up on the bench then reinstall.

The black disk is just stuck in there and you wiggle it out toward you. To adjust the points you turn the engine till the squarish shaped cam is opening the points as wide as it can and then loosen the screw and adjust the points so they are the correct distance apart with a feeler gauge. I do not recall the distance, it is in the manual.
Zach

Only that I finally got power to the distributor (and i really dont know how I did it, played around with some wires). My buddy came over and said everything looked like it lined up right, said to start the tractor and either retard or advance the distributor until it runs well, not sure if its going to work but I couldnt get the the timing with the light to work at all, I might have to have someone come over and do it for me (teach me in person).

.020"

Forget the timing light..... Set static per the manual and get it running.