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4-Cylinder Ignition Timing

  1. Ensure vehicle is at operating temperature, all accessories are off and transmission is in Park or Neutral. Set parking brake. Disconnect automatic parking brake release (if equipped). Vehicle front wheels must be in straight-ahead position and curb idle speed set to specification. Connect timing light to engine.
  2. On Probe non-turbo, disconnect and plug vacuum hoses at distributor. On Probe turbo, ground STI test connector. STI test connector is a single Black connector located at left front strut tower.
  3. On all other models, disconnect single in-line Spark Output (SPOUT) connector near distributor in harness to TFI module. Wire color of SPOUT connector is Yellow/Light Green.
  4. On all models, start engine. With engine at timing RPM, check base ignition timing. See 4-CYLINDER BASE IGNITION TIMING  table for specifications. Turn engine off. Reconnect vacuum hoses, wires or remove ground wire. Check ignition computed timing. See 4-CYLINDER COMPUTED IGNITION TIMING  table for specifications.
4-CYLINDER BASE IGNITION TIMING

Application And/Or Calibration Code (1) (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)
1.9L TBI 10 @ 760-840
1.9L PFI 10 @ 900-1100
2.2 PFI
Non-Turbo 6 @ 750
Turbo 9 @ 750
2.3L OHC
8-05A-R10 & 8-06A-R10 10 @ 770-830
All Others
Auto. Trans. 10 @ 790-850
Man. Trans. 10 @ 820-880
2.3L HSC PFI
Auto. Trans. 15 @ 690-750
Man. Trans. 15 @ 820-880
2.3L HSC MA PFI (2)
9-25C-R10 & 9-26D-R10
Auto. Trans. 15 @ 680-760
Man. Trans. 15 @ 810-890
All Others
Auto. Trans. 15 @ 690-750
Man. Trans. 15 @ 820-880
2.5L TBI 10 @ 675-725
(1) With automatic transmission in Drive.
(2) MA engine is a High Output engine with Mass Airflow Meter.
4-CYLINDER COMPUTED IGNITION TIMING

Application (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)
1.9L MA PFI (1) 31-34 @ 950-1050
1.9L TBI 17-22 @ 820-900
2.3L OHC PFI 16-22 @ 850-900
2.3L HSC MA PFI (1) 3-14 @ 830-880
2.3L HSC PFI 17-19 @ 840-880
2.5L TBI 22.25 @ 820-850
(1) MA engine is a High Output engine with Mass Airflow Meter.