Can not set ignition timing NOT ROOKIE BUT NEED HELP

[4G63GS]

just got done building my 4g63. All new stuff including overbored cylinders and stuff like that. I get the timing set and start it up. I do the process for setting ignition timing to +5. I have the cam angle sensor all the way to the right ( looking at the motor from the drivers side) and look at the mark on the crank. It is an inch away from btdc and nowhere near the marks. When I adjust the cam angle sensor it just goes farther away from the marks. Could it be possible that timing is off by one tooth? I tried to 180 out the cam angle sensor with no luck. It still is way off. help someone

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Either a belt or the harmonic balancer is slipping on you. Either one is a possibility. However, look at the belt and look at the balancer closer.

60k on a belt and it should go bye bye.

Good Luck

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Timing being off could cause this however, you would still be able to adjust it within range. I would suggest swapping in a known good working cas.

 

[Talesin]

If the CAS was on 180 off, the car wouldn't start at all. Did you remember to ground both the pin on the ODBI connector, and the idle-adjust pin on the firewall? If you don't, the ECU will 'fight' adjustments to the timing. Easy way to tell if both are grounded right is to do it while the car is running (if it will stay running). Soon as they ground and the ECU goes into timing-adjust mode, you'll hear the engine tone change very obviously.

Only note this as when I was trying to set my timing it was acting screwy and doing something similar.. apparently I didn't get the clip right on the firewall connector. Soon as I twitched it around, heard the tone change and was able to set timing with no further problems.

 

[4G63GS]

okay timing was off by tooth. still has is missing at idl and i still can not set ignition timing in advance. cas is stuck at -15 and when i adjust it the onlt way i can it retards more. I drove it home (bout 9 miles) and at 4 miles the car fell on its face no power felt like i slamed it into 5th at 35mph. No smoke, in neutral car revs fine with miss but when in gear it sounds like a diesel motor when pulling out. Guages red great and oil is on mark so is coolant. I need some help here. I did ground the plug by battery to set time also.

 

[Talesin]

IIRC, the plug by the battery is for idle speed on its own. You need to ground the idle speed adjust connector *and* one pin on the ODBI connector (by your in-cabin fusebox) to put it into timing-adjust mode. Then you can set the timing without having the ECU screw with it.

Again. Ground both the idle set connector AND that pin on the ODBI connector while the engine is running, and you will hear it change as the ECU stops trying to advance the timing. It'll go to the 'actual' baseline timing, and you'll be able to set it by adjusting your CAS.