Stopped at a shop in Flagstaff that still uses a timing light on every tune-up

Walked in for a coolant flush on my break and the old timer there grabbed a timing light off the wall. I haven't seen one of those used in years. He said he doesn't trust computerized diag for basic spark work. Got me thinking, are we all overcomplicating tune-ups now with scan tools? Anyone else still keep a timing light handy?

2 comments

2 Comments

bencampbell1d agoTop Commenter

Honestly, who even calibrates those old lights anymore?

emeryn831d ago

Oh man, that brings back memories. I mean, timing lights aren't totally useless for older stuff, but the real trick nobody talks about is that those old analog lights actually work better for diagnosing mechanical timing chain wear than digital stuff does. You can literally see the mark wobble if the chain is stretched, which a scan tool just won't show you. Idk, maybe it's just me but there's something to be said for keeping that old school tool around even if you only use it once a year.