Innova 3551 Inductive Timing Light — Slim Rotating Barrel, Detachable Leads | Air-Cooled VW, Porsche & Domestic Ignition Timing (3551)
On backorder.
Innova is out of this one right now. You can order it and we'll ship it the day it lands on our dock — but we don't have a date from them yet, and we'd rather tell you that than guess.
If you need it this week, call (657) 438-7002 and we'll tell you what we can do.
Couldn't load pickup availability
- Vendor Innova
- SKU 3551
Not sure it fits? Call the shop: (657) 438-7002.
Innova 3551 Inductive Timing Light
Short answer: The no-frills timing light we'd hand a first-time air-cooled owner. Clamp the pickup on the No. 1 plug wire, hook the leads to the battery, and aim the slim barrel at the crank pulley notch. No screen, no settings, nothing to go wrong. If you want the light to read advance or dwell for you, step up to the 3568 or 5568.
Every timing figure in our VW Tune-Up Spec Lookup that says "strobe" needs one of these. The 1968-and-later VW figures are set with the engine running and the vacuum hoses in a specific position, and a static test light can't do that. The barrel rotates to straighten the light into a line, which helps aim past the fan shroud at the pulley.
Vehicle & Engine Fitment
- Air-cooled VW Type 1, 2, 3 and 4: points, 009, SVDA and most aftermarket electronic distributors.
- Porsche 356, 912, 911 and 914: conventional and electronic ignition.
- Most other gasoline engines: conventional, electronic, computer-controlled and DIS systems, domestic and import.
- Power: runs off the car's battery. Check the Innova manual before using it on a 6-volt car.
Key Features & Benefits
- Inductive pickup: clamps over the No. 1 plug wire. Nothing to disconnect.
- Slim rotating barrel: gun shape or straight line, for aiming into tight engine bays.
- Protective hand guard: one-hand operation away from the fan belt.
- Detachable leads: quick setup and compact storage.
- No-spark diagnosis: also confirms whether a cylinder is firing, with a skip-circuit test up to 9,990 RPM.
Technical Specifications
- Part Number: Innova 3551
- Type: inductive timing light
- Readouts: none (strobe only)
- Warranty: manufacturer's limited warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
- Which timing figure do I set? It depends on the engine code and the distributor. Look it up in the VW Tune-Up Spec Lookup.
- Can I set total advance on a 009 with this? Yes, if you've marked your pulley at 28°–32°. If you'd rather read advance straight off the light, get the 3568 or 5568.
- Will it work in daylight? It's bright, but the pulley notch reads best in shade or under the deck lid.
Installation
Tech Note: Connect the battery leads with the engine off, then clamp the pickup on the No. 1 wire (front right cylinder). Keep the leads clear of the fan belt and the generator pulley before you start the engine.
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Doing the full tune-up? Start at the VW Tune-Up Spec Lookup, then browse Tools and our engine parts.
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