Aem infinity, no timing light function

Hello fellow gearheads/tuners,

Kinda out of ideas so posting in here with hope that someone will have some magical revilation as to what might be the problem. Trying to get the timing Sync'd before firing the engine.

Evo 8

AEM infinity 508

AEM igbt ign1a coils wired sequentially

MSD wires

currently using a NGK BR8ES plug for sync (9's normally)

Timing light is a innova 3586 unit, I tested it on several other vehicles and verified it works.

Also tried a generic GM performance ignition lead because I suspected the MSD wires weren't allowing the light to pickup the signal. Tried flipping the pickup lead both ways. Also per AEM i gave the spark plug a large gap(.050) as they say that cant affect the light picking up the signal.

I should also mention that testing of a spark plug grounded to the exhaust manifold showed that the coil is producing spark.

Another tuner friend of mine here in the states said he also happens to have a friend having the same issue who is running a difference ECU. Haven't seen any sort of problems with these coils with other people(yet).

The ECU shouln't make any difference, you're using the inductive signal from the lead.

Off hand, are you using spiral wound suppression type leads? Just thinking they may not be providing the level of field collapse the timing light needs, because of their design - if so, try using a short, conventional suppression lead with a "carbon" core [edit, you did].

Have you tried getting a signal off #4 - it should fire with the same timing as #1, just with 360 degrees of rotation difference.

You may also need to double check the power and ground points for the light.

If the spark plug associated with the spark wire you're clipped on is sparking, the timing light should be flashing as long as it has good power, good ground, is well clipped on the high voltage spark wire, the spark wire doesn't have really thick or really good insulation, and you pull the trigger (if necessary/equipped). I use a cheap spark wire on #1 for this. It sounds like you tried using a cheap spark wire, I like Gord's comment on making sure you have a good power and good ground.

I don't have experience with that light. I have a couple very old cheap Craftsman non adjustable ones I keep around because they don't have adjustments that can cause issues, and they pick up well.

My experience with the Innova lights is that sometimes they don't work very well at cranking speeds, but will work just fine once the engine is running at idle. I have a very basic (non dial-back) inductive light I use for cranking tests.

Thanks for all the comments on things to try or check, and experience with the lights david. I was thinking of trying one that was very basic no adjustments.

I will report back!

Did want to report back that a very basic timing light did indeed give me a signal in order to sync the timing.

Awesome glad to hear it, and thank you for posting the resolution.