Question about rotating distributor to change timing.

The_HeadThe_Head familEE
in Engine & Drivetrain
Ok, so my original distributor died. I swapped it out but unknowingly forgot to mark it's original position, so I would have it right for the install of the new dizzy. I still have a code 9, but I will tackle that problem later (hopefully a different ECU will cure that)

As of right now, the timing seems way retarded. The motor seems to run out of gas at about 3,000 rpm (maybe the code 9 is messing with things?) I just need to know which way to rotate the dizzy to advance the timing a little bit more and get back a little bit more of the midrange. Before the swapout the motor ran great from 2000-3750 rpm's, which is great for daily driving.

I have no timing light and will be doing this by using the seat of my pants trial and error method.

Comments

  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    CCW = Advance
    CW = Retard

    I'll just have to play with it tomorrow. Thinking back, it may be advanced too much. It sounded like a box of rocks past 3500 rpm.
  • SikocivicSikocivic Wagonist
    Code 9 will put the car into "limp mode". This will limit the RPMs and will also run the car rich. It is meant to let you drive the car in for repair and protect the motor from further damage. Your ECU is probably fine. When you installed the new dizzy, did you time the car with a timing light? If you did, did you put a "jumper wire" in the harness? If you change the timing without the "jumper" installed the ECU will just reset your timing to what it was. You REALLY need to time the car with a timing light and have the jumper installed when you do it.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Well, that's the weird thing about it. It's not in limp mode most of the time. Sometimes it will go into limp mode though, but most of the time I have full rpm's, which leads me to believe the ECU may be on the fritz.

    Could you show me a pic or describe where the jumper is?
  • SikocivicSikocivic Wagonist
    On a 90 Wagon there is a open 2 wire blue plug behind the kick panel on the passenger side. Just pull the carpet back and you will find blue plug with nothing plugged into it. Take a paper clip and open it up, then bend it into a U shape and put each end of the paper clip into the plug. Now start the car and set the timing. Then shut off the car and pull the paper clip out and you are all set. Honda sells a little tool that you use for this but a paper clip is just fine.

    Be sure you reset the ECU before you do any of this. :wink:
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    Thanks. I checked it out and the dizzy was retarded (forward) all the way. I advanced it about 4 mm and it seems a little better.
  • The_HeadThe_Head familEE
    You were right, it's not the ECU.

    There's an open in the wiring somewhere :evil:
Sign In or Register to comment.

© Vanilla Keystone Theme 2025