Stroboscope

Checking the ignition while the engine is idling can be done with a stroboscopic lamp, or timing light, which is clipped between the sparkplug used for timing and its lead. The head is directed at the engine timing marks, and each time the plug sparks, the lamp lights up the timing marks so that you can check whether the spark accurs at the specified setting before top dead centre.

A neon timing light, which relies solely on the HT voltage, is often sufficient as long as the timing marks are accentuated (with white paint, say) and the work is carried out in a shaded place. More expensive timing lights, such as Xenon-tube lamps, are powered from the battery or mains as well, and give a brighter light. An induction-type strobe light can be clipped to the plug lead without disconnecting it.