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Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:31 pm

I have a 67 beetle
12V
1600cc
weber progressive carb.
centrifugal dizzy
I replaced the dizzy recently, set the dwell and decided to set the timing with a cen-tech timing light. I hook the black to a good ground (part on the carb) and the green to the positive on the ignition coil. Every time I pull the trigger the car dies. Almost like when you let go of the handle on a lawn mower. Just shuts off. Any ideas? I've never used a timing light before. I've just always set the timing statically.
Thanks in advance.
Doug

Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:48 pm

I have a cen-tech timing light. Black to a good ground. Red to the D+ pole on the generator. And the inductive clamp one the #1 spark plug wire. That's it. No green wire on mine.
Post a pic of your hook up and we will help ya.
Good Luck.
EDIT On the inductive clamp, make sure that the arrow on the clamp points away from the dist. not toward it

Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:51 pm

The timing light should have an inductive pickup to clip on to the #1 spark plug wire. The green clip goes to a 12V power source (Like B+ on the generator) and black to ground.

Can you post a pic of the timing light and cables?

Mon Aug 15, 2016 6:56 pm

flyboy161 wrote: The timing light should have an inductive pickup to clip on to the #1 spark plug wire. The green clip goes to a 12V power source (Like B+ on the generator) and black to ground.

Can you post a pic of the timing light and cables?
B+ on a 6volt system. D+ on a 12volt system.
I'm just sayin.
Good Luck

Mon Aug 15, 2016 7:24 pm

Is the ignition coil not a good spot for picking up the 22volts? I also had the clip around the #1 wire and it was facing the right direction. Any idea why it would kill the engine? I'll figure out how to post images here soon but until then you can see an image on harbor freight website under item number 40963

Mon Aug 15, 2016 7:38 pm

Yes, because the 15 terminal on the coil is power for the coil. Electricity will take the path of least resistance through the timing light when the points open. The coil then does not build up its voltage and you lose spark. Connect the power wire for the light to B+ on the generator. The only thing you ever clip to the coil is the dwell meter and that's on the negative side.

Mon Aug 15, 2016 7:54 pm

Power it from the generator/alternator... If it is a non-vacuum advance you can get by with a 12 volt test light to get the timing set close, then a timing light to adjust further.