Timing driving me crazy...

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

and it's a short ride.

1989 GL hatch, 1.8L TBI. There are two connectors under the hood on the
driver's side near the cowl, and connecting either or both does not bring
the timing marks into view. All I ever see is a 12-14mm bolt on the
flywheel.

Now, the idle is about 500RPM according to the tach; spec from the hood
sticker says 700. How can I up the idle and maybe bring the timing marks
into view?

I was thinking of just 'blindly' loosening the distributor and try
different settings to see if the timing marks come in, but the car runs
fairly well (for a 20 year old car) without stumbling or surging...most of
the time...

 

[johninky]

Confirm you are using #1 plug wire to check the timing. Also use only
the freen connector.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Confirm you are using #1 plug wire to check the timing. Also use only
the freen connector.

According to Chilton's (and the sticker on the hood)
"Use the 2-contact connector". Um, it only has one contact!

I tried both connectors together and alternately.

Now, my experience is primarily with Toyotas, and when you short the
connector, the MIL flashes. If everything is OK, it flashes regularly. If
there is a problem it flashes out a code.

Connecting the white connector in the Soob causes the MIL to flash, and
it's flashing regularly.

 

[clare]

and it's a short ride.

1989 GL hatch, 1.8L TBI. There are two connectors under the hood on the
driver's side near the cowl, and connecting either or both does not bring
the timing marks into view. All I ever see is a 12-14mm bolt on the
flywheel.

Now, the idle is about 500RPM according to the tach; spec from the hood
sticker says 700. How can I up the idle and maybe bring the timing marks
into view?

I was thinking of just 'blindly' loosening the distributor and try
different settings to see if the timing marks come in, but the car runs
fairly well (for a 20 year old car) without stumbling or surging...most of
the time...

Idling below spec will not affect the timing. Advance starts a t a
particular RPM,and the spec for setting the timing is below that
speed.

 

[Bob Noble]

Like he said it's the freen connector on the sub for the timing. Green, I
think it just disables the computer advance to the distributor so it's just
mechanical.
I think your distributor may be off a tooth if you can't find the marks.

 

[Guest]

and it's a short ride.

1989 GL hatch, 1.8L TBI. There are two connectors under the hood on the
driver's side near the cowl, and connecting either or both does not bring
the timing marks into view. All I ever see is a 12-14mm bolt on the
flywheel.

Now, the idle is about 500RPM according to the tach; spec from the hood
sticker says 700. How can I up the idle and maybe bring the timing marks
into view?

I was thinking of just 'blindly' loosening the distributor and try
different settings to see if the timing marks come in, but the car runs
fairly well (for a 20 year old car) without stumbling or surging...most of
the time...

Is it possible the main pulley has slipped on the rubber insert?

Or that the key has sheared and the pulley has slipped on the shaft?

Pull the number1 plug and find TDC, if the marks are nowhere near the
right place, one of these has happened.


Dave

 

[clare]

Is it possible the main pulley has slipped on the rubber insert?

Or that the key has sheared and the pulley has slipped on the shaft?

Pull the number1 plug and find TDC, if the marks are nowhere near the
right place, one of these has happened.


Dave

Timing mark is on the flywheel on most Soobs, isn't it? kinda hard for
that to slip.

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Like he said it's the freen connector on the sub for the timing. Green, I
think it just disables the computer advance to the distributor so it's just
mechanical.
I think your distributor may be off a tooth if you can't find the marks.

Gee, I can't find the freen connector!

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Is it possible the main pulley has slipped on the rubber insert?

Or that the key has sheared and the pulley has slipped on the shaft?

Pull the number1 plug and find TDC, if the marks are nowhere near the
right place, one of these has happened.


Dave

I set the timing belts and the car is running well.

Ignorant question: which cylinder is #1? IIRC it's the front cylinder on
the driver's side...

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

Gee, I can't find the freen connector!

Trace the cable bundle forward from the blinker fluid level sender
(after it passes above the muffler bearing) - should be right there.


Carl

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

Trace the cable bundle forward from the blinker fluid level sender
(after it passes above the muffler bearing) - should be right there.


Carl

I can't find any reference to the blinker fluid level sender. It must be
visual on a car this old. But I did find blinker fluid!

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I can't find any reference to the blinker fluid level sender. It must be
visual on a car this old. But I did find blinker fluid!

http://kalecoauto.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2

thanx for the link!
I've been looking for the synthetic blinker fluid.

;^)

Carl

 

[clare]

I set the timing belts and the car is running well.

Ignorant question: which cylinder is #1? IIRC it's the front cylinder on
the driver's side...

It's the front cyl. )ne side is farther ahead than the other. As for
the "running well" - is it torqy at the low end and a bit soft at the
top? or a bit slow at the bottom but goes like Jack the Bear when you
get it wound up? If so you could have the belt off a tooth.

Will still "run relatively well for a 20 year old car"

 

[Hachiroku $B%O%A%m%/(B]

It's the front cyl. )ne side is farther ahead than the other. As for
the "running well" - is it torqy at the low end and a bit soft at the
top? or a bit slow at the bottom but goes like Jack the Bear when you
get it wound up? If so you could have the belt off a tooth.

Will still "run relatively well for a 20 year old car"

It's actually pretty even across the boards. It pulls good off the line
but doesn't start wheezing near the top, either.

I just wanted to check the timing, but for some reason can't...

 

[Guest]

Timing mark is on the flywheel on most Soobs, isn't it? kinda hard for
that to slip.

Uhhh, good point!

Haven't had to check my timing yet, so didn't realize that.


Dave