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Timing light question anyone know where to find parts?
Kind of a question related to Oldsmobile, but not Oldsmobile.
I got this killer Sears Craftsman timing light, part # 161.2134 .....
but the bulb burned out. I can't find the replacement part anywhere. Does anyone know a link, or have one that I can buy? Don't want Chineseium.... but that seems to be what everybody is going these days. I can't even find China stuff.
Well, Thank you in advance!
Sorry, I don't know where new replacement bulbs can be purchased for obsolete timing lights. I suggest to keep an eye on eBay to see if one shows up at a reasonable price that you can purchase and use for parts.
I use vintage timing lights also, and one day the same thing will happen--it will cease to function, so I keep a couple of spare units around tor parts.
The nice looking lights sell for good money,on eBay, but the dirty, greasy, and well-used units oftentimes can be obtained at very reasonable prices.
Note as well, that the bulb is a long service item, and your problem very well could be trigger, or voltage issues. Too, some models are not made to be repaired.
Last edited by tnswt; March 23rd, 2024 at 06:59 PM.
Take it apart and see what bulb is in it. I had one of those lights one issue was the plug wouldn't stay seated in the base of the handle.
Dial back timing lights have so much more flexibility. Take this as an opportunity to pick up one of those.
I have the exact same Sears Model 161.213400 (282134). These timing lights were Sold by Sears but not manufactured by Sears. They were manufactured by Actron. Actron has been a subsidiary of Bosch Automotive Service Solutions since 2012. The Part Number of the flash tube (600-258) is obsolete. No aftermarket parts are available.
You're far better to purchase a replacement off eBay or elsewhere (which has already been suggested).
NOTE: Double check the magnet(s) located on the clamp of the inductive input cable. They can become dislodged. The magnets pull the signal from the plug wire which is then amplified (500VDC-850VDC). If the magnets are not aligned, dislodged, etc. you'll get no light. Obviously ensure the battery clamp wires have no breaks as well as the inductive clamp input cable. It's possible to test voltage at the flash tube (what houses the bulb) to see if it's getting voltage which requires disassembly.
Thank you for the comments everybody. I have looked at used ones online, and of course that's an easy way to go - to just buy a new one. In spirit of working on old cars and loving them for what they are, I just wanted to buy a bulb for my timing light. I have diagnosed the bulb as bad, doing a simple continuity check. But yeah, guess I'll get a new light.
I used one like the one above for years. Recently, I switched to one like this. It reads dwell, RPM, timing, voltage, and has dial back timing adjustment. Very happy I finally made the change.
If that’s a discharge tube, it will measure open resistance. I suggest doing as noted above and measure to see if there is voltage at the bulb terminals when it’s supposed to fire. Might require an oscilloscope to measure the voltage pulse. You might be able to use a regular bulb to see if it flashes, but I suspect you won’t get many flashes out of a regular bulb before the bulb fails.
Yes, I believe you will be right. Dang it all right I'm going to give up. Or wait till I have a 12 pack one of the other. But yes I did consider measuring the voltage but took the easy route and just did a continuity test
March 23rd, 2024, 06:26 PM
