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Check Base Timing

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1994 Mercury Sable, 1994 Mercury Cougar, 1994 Lincoln Continental, 1994 Ford Thunderbird, and 1994 Ford Taurus. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. With ignition off, connect EI diagnostic cable to breakout box and ICM. DO NOT connect CKP sensor tee or coil tees. Use EI "6" overlay on breakout box. Connect EI diagnostic cable negative and positive leads to battery. Set EI diagnostic cable switch to 4/6 CYLINDER position. Connect EI compatible timing light. Start engine, and allow it to warm up. If timing is 8-12 degrees BTDC when EI diagnostic cable SPOUT button is pushed, go to next step. If timing is not as specified, go to step 8).
  2. Check For Spark Angle Advance If ignition timing is more than 15 degrees BTDC when EI diagnostic cable SPOUT button is released, ignition system is okay. Go to TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-IV (3.8L) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section for further driveability symptom diagnosis. If timing is not as specified, go to next step.
  3. Check SPOUT At ICM With ignition off, set DVOM on 20-volt AC scale. Start engine and measure voltage between J21 (EI diagnostic cable SPOUT detector) and J7 (BAT-) at breakout box. If AC voltage reading is more than 5 volts, SPOUT input to ICM is okay but spark advance is not present. Replace ICM. If voltage is 5 volts or less, go to next step.
  4. Check SPOUT For Short In ICM With ignition off, push and hold down SPOUT button at EI diagnostic cable (this opens SPOUT circuit to ICM). Start engine and measure voltage between J21 (EI diagnostic cable SPOUT detector) and J7 (BAT-) at breakout box. If AC voltage is more than 5 volts, SPOUT circuit is shorted in ICM. Replace ICM. If voltage is 5 volts or less, go to next step.
  5. Check SPOUT For Short To Power In Harness With ignition off, disconnect PCM. Disconnect ICM from diagnostic cable ICM tee. Leave EI diagnostic cable connected to wiring harness connector. Set DVOM on 20-volt DC scale. Turn ignition on. Measure voltage between J45 (SPOUT I) and J7 (BAT-) at breakout box. If voltage is less than 0.5 volt, go to next step. If voltage is 0.5 volt or more, SPOUT is shorted to voltage. Repair short circuit.
  6. Check SPOUT For Short To Ground In Harness Turn ignition off. Set DVOM on 20-k/ohm scale. Disconnect EI diagnostic cable positive lead to battery. Measure resistance between J45 (SPOUT I) and J7 (BAT-) at breakout box. If resistance is more than 10,000 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 10,000 ohms or less, SPOUT is shorted to ground. Repair short circuit.
  7. Check SPOUT For Open To ICM With ignition off, set DVOM on 200-ohm scale. Install a second breakout box to PCM wiring harness connector. Measure resistance between J45 (SPOUT I) at ICM breakout box and terminal No. 36 at PCM breakout box. If resistance is less than 5 ohms, PCM is not transmitting SPOUT signal. Replace PCM. If resistance is 5 ohms or more, repair open in SPOUT circuit.
  8. Inspect CKP Sensor/Trigger Wheel If CKP sensor or trigger wheel is damaged, loose or misaligned, replace or service as required. If no problems are found, replace ICM. PIP output from ICM does not exist.
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