Distributor problem :(

[Acumo]

hey guys i have a problem i took my whole distributor off and put a new one on but now it dosent want to start my cousin said it could be off timing any ideas how i can time it so my car will starts cranks cranks but wont fire

[Hijacker]

That looks like a distro that requires a seperate coil (the 5th spark plug wire on the cap). I thought the SR20DEs had the coil on the distro (like the S14 KA24DE). If so, it's probably a matter of having the wrong distro cap.

If I'm totally wrong on that, then you're probably just off 180 degrees on your timing

[Acumo]

That looks like a distro that requires a seperate coil (the 5th spark plug wire on the cap). I thought the SR20DEs had the coil on the distro (like the S14 KA24DE). If so, it's probably a matter of having the wrong distro cap.

If I'm totally wrong on that, then you're probably just off 180 degrees on your timing

yeah it has the 5th spark plug wire but i dont understand what u mean by 180 degrees on the timing.. do u have any directions on how to fix this please thanks

[Acumo]

now i tryed to put the old one back on (On the picture) and the same thing happens it dosent fire.. if i keep trying will i mess anything up?

[Hijacker]

Being 180 degrees off in timing is simply that your distro is trying to fire the proper cylinders at the wrong time. Normally, they'd fire at TDC of the compression stroke. Given that the crank must make 2 full revolutions (one for compression, one for expulsion), the CAS turns at a .5:1 ratio. (For every two rotations of the crank, the CAS rotates once).

Now, when things are working right, the crank will make its 2 revolutions and THEN the distro will have made its 1 to fire at TDC compression. However, if you're off 180 degrees, the distro wants to fire at TDC exhaust stroke. Which is the wrong time. All you get is a motor that cranks, holds compression, has fuel, and spark, but won't start. The telltale sign is usually you'll hear a backfire or popping noise through your intake tract as the spark plugs try to fire during the overlap time that the valves are opening.

The easiest fix for this is to set up your CAS timing like normal, then rotate it over a half turn (180 degrees) and then insert.

However, every distributed SR20 I've seen in RWD configuration has utilized an integrated coil ontop of the distributor, not a seperate coil that the S13 KA24DE utilized.

[bgsr240]

It would seem to me that you need to look in a different forum because no rear drive SR20 uses a distributor, they are all coil on plug.

[Acumo]

yeah i know its pretty weird i bought the car like this... ur writing was very helpful i just dont know what TDS AND CAS is thanks.

[bgsr240]

i just dont know what TDS AND CAS is

TDS???I think you mean TPS or throttle position sensor.CAS= cam angle sensor.

[Acumo]

TDC i meant sorry i messed up... if i take it to a shop how much will it be?

[bgsr240]

TDC= top dead center

Its when the piston is at the top of its compression stroke.

[Seishuku]

It would seem to me that you need to look in a different forum because no rear drive SR20 uses a distributor, they are all coil on plug.

Uhh... NO. SR20DE's are available RWD and FWD, both in separate coil and built-in coil type distributors (S13/S14, same like with the KA24DE).

Anyway, the distributor just needs to be realigned according to the dots on the distributor shaft. Look in an SR20DE/T RWD service manual for the CAS alignment instructions, that should get you back in service! (use the search for where to get a service manual)

[Acumo]

^^ thanks very helpful