How do I check base timing with a timing light?

[-DSM2NR-]

Am I supposed to remove the driver side front wheel to be able to see the crank pulley because I can't see it from above, with the hood open.

 

[turbosax2]

You can remove the wheel to mark the crank pulley with some whiteout on the mark, but you use the timing light from above.

Edit: This link is for a 1g, but the process is similar. You just have to use the blue test connector on the firewall.
http://www.plymouthlaser.com/timin.htm

 

[-DSM2NR-]

Ok, I've market the timing marks and everything but now I have a new problem. I don't understand how this timing light works. I hooked it up to the battery and spark plug wire #1. I point the light at the crank pulley and pull the trigger and the light starts flashing but. I look at the timing marks but don't really see anything particular. The light is just flashing......I don't see any indicator showing how many degrees my timing is.... What the hell?!

 

[turbosax2]

Did you ground the blue adjustment connector? It's located on the wiring harness that runs along the firewall on the top. Just ground that pin. When you point the light down at the crank pulley you should see a little mark that stands out. If you don't see it, try moving the cas around until you find where the mark is at. Once you find the mark, slowly adjust the cas until you get to 5 degrees. There are marks on the lower timing belt cover that say 5, 10. Just align the mark with the 5 degree mark.

http://vfaq.com/mods/wayback/BradBauer/engine/timing.html

 

[-DSM2NR-]

I'm not really sure which blue adjustment connector you are talking about. I can't adjust my cas because I have a 2g. I don't even have a cas at all

 

[turbosax2]

Then why are you checking your timing if you can't change it?

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Then why are you checking your timing if you can't change it?

That doesn't help the situation at all. You have no idea why he is checking base timing so don't ASSume anything. It can simply be that he is checking base timing to adjust all timing sliders in DSMLink, who knows.

Anyway, you don't really have to pull anything to see the mark on the crank pulley. It should be fairly visible from just looking at the engine bay. Also, you DO have a cam angle sensor. It is located underneath your intake cam gear (kind of like how your crank angle sensor works). As far as the grounding plug, it is located behind the battery near the firewall. Just take an alligator clip and ground it off somewhere before you do the timing test.

 

[turbosax2]

That doesn't help the situation at all. You have no idea why he is checking base timing so don't ASSume anything. It can simply be that he is checking base timing to adjust all timing sliders in DSMLink, who knows.

I wasn't assuming anything, that's why I asked him why he's checking the timing.

 

[blcknspo0ln]

Perhaps that came out wrong then, apologies. Anyway, you are correct. There is no way to physically change ignition timing on a 95-96 CAS car, but with programs like AEM or DSMLink, you can compensate for a lack of proper ignition timing. I.e., if it was 4* BTDC you can adjust 1* out throughout the entire timing rpm band (and therefore really having 5* BDTC).

 

[turbosax2]

No worries

 

[turbosax2]

In case you still have trouble finding the blue grounding plug, I marked it on this picture.

Edit: this is incorrect, the plug to ground is the TAN one, NOT the blue one.

 

[-DSM2NR-]

Ok, thanks for the info. I will do that tommorow. I do have DSMlink so if I need to, that's how I would adjust my base timing...

 

[snowborder714]

There is no way to physically change ignition timing on a 95-96 CAS car

Just for my knowledge (as I always forget this), which cars can you physically change timing on?

 

[blcknspo0ln]

a 1g CAS is adjustable.

 

[snowborder714]

a 1g CAS is adjustable.

Thanks! That's what I thought but wanted to double check.

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

Ok, thanks for the info. I will do that tommorow. I do have DSMlink so if I need to, that's how I would adjust my base timing...

You have DSMlink, there's no need to physically ground the connector. Go to ECU -> Miscellaneous -> GND Timing. Timing will now be grounded and should read a stable 5*. Without the timing grounded, timing will jump around usually from 5-10*. You can't adjust physical base timing is DSMlink, you can only compensate for it by adding or subtracting from the timing sliders. DSMlink assumes your physical base timing is correctly set to 5*.

 

[-DSM2NR-]

Alright, I managed to see the little timing tick. It's very close to the T on the timing mark.
Am I running too low of timing? Because I'm guessing the 5 degree mark is the line between the T and the 10BTDC Would that be at around 1 base degree timing that I'm running now?WTF