My repair manual mentions using an inductive timing light. The one that I already have is direct pick up (a jumper goes between the distributor and spark wire. The problem is, that jumper grounds out, cylinder one misfires, and the idle drops. I suspect that this may be why my timing seems to be off.

Does anyone know if an inductive light is required? It is a '94 Civic Si.

I just replaced my timing belt and have weird noises. I suspect that the previous owner may have replaced the belt, been off by a tooth and corrected the timing at the distributor, possibly. I've checked twice now, and the timing belt is on just fine, but the timing is off by 6 degrees or so, with conditions as I described above.

 

I found out that the noise is just a catalytic converter heat sheild that I must have kinked when I lowered the engine a bit to change the timing belt.

I'm still curious about the inductive timing light bit. I timed my car with the direct pick up light, and it seems to run fine, but I'd like to know if it really is OK.