rb20 timing questions kickin my A@@

[preston240sx]

ok so my rb was running like crap so i got my buddies timing gun out ... and here;s the crap i got ....



i had the gun set to 0 but my buddy was'nt sure how to use his own gun ...so i dunno i know this is noob stuff but this rb timing was kicking my butt i've never done anything timing wise to the car everything is stock .

i read timing is supposed to be 15 degrees for a manual ecu i believe i have a manual i checked them with numbers on here and got its a gts ecu mines a 237100-4U01 .

seems like anything time i tried to get the cas in the middle. its fine.... but the timing says like 35 degrees .....when i get close to the 15 degree i have to turn the cas and it sputters and wants to die

i posted pic's so i hope this helps that way i can get helped thx

[RustspecS13]

Did you let the engine warm up and rev the engine a little then unplug the TPS sensor and then rev it a little again and then finally check the timing?

You have to do that to put the ecu into a set timing mode. Other wise your screwing with your timing maps. And not the way you intended.

~Alex

[preston240sx]

nahh i did'nt do it that was i let the engine warm to 180 degree's and had the tps unplugged when i was checking it ....

having the tps unhooked seems like it did'nt make a difference .. but i'll give what you said a try ..how high do you rev then unplug?

[FAST-DATSUN]

already posted RB motors new timing lights will not work correcty off the timing loop. You must remove #1 coil and install a plug wire from the coil to the plug and hook up your timing light to the new plug wire to get a correct reading.

[USMCgetsome]

BABY JEBUS! I KNEW IT! I tried many times to get my craftsman to work with the inductive pickup. Wasn't worth a crap. Thanks for clearing that up sir! Mckinney Motorsports for the win!

[WhatsADSM]

already posted RB motors new timing lights will not work correcty off the timing loop. You must remove #1 coil and install a plug wire from the coil to the plug and hook up your timing light to the new plug wire to get a correct reading.

x2 I have told people this a million times.

Everyone:Look a standard timing light is looking for inductive current on the HIGH side (secondary) of the ignition coil.The "loop back wire" on the RB is on the LOW side (primary side) of the coil. So most inductive timing light will actually be picking up the dwell current from the ECU and not the ignition firing event... Which means that your timing will read artificially advanced.

The correct way to connect the timing light is to remove the coil from the bracket and connect a spark plug wire between the coil you removed and the spark plug. Then connect your timing light on the actual spark plug wire.
Modified by WhatsADSM at 12:12 PM 3/26/2009

[WhatsADSM]

BABY JEBUS! I KNEW IT! I tried many times to get my craftsman to work with the inductive pickup. Wasn't worth a crap. Thanks for clearing that up sir! Mckinney Motorsports for the win!

There is nothing wrong with your light. You have to use it the way it was designed to be used.. On a spark plug wire, not on a loop back wire on the low side of the coil.

[gawdzilla]

i've always attached my light to the + wire going to the #1 coil pack without much issue. Some people have issues with this though

[preston240sx]

good deal i got a wire today i gave all mine away when i went rb ...so i had to get one from a mustang buddy

[WhatsADSM]

i've always attached my light to the + wire going to the #1 coil pack without much issue. Some people have issues with this though

The + wire is the same signal as the loopback.

It *may* work, but it really depends on the light... Realize that is definately not the way inductive timing lights are supposed to work.

Use the loopback (or the +wire).. Its a crap shoot, it might be accurate it might not, depending on the light.Use a spark plug wire, it WILL be right for all inductive lights.

[Sil240]

Just if anyone wants to know.The Actron Timing Lights you get from Autozone WILL NOT WORK with the Black loop on the Ignitor or on the White Wire on the #1 coil pack. It is the same wire.