The factory spec. for timing is 16 degrees advance +/- 2, and with bolt ons you

guys seem to recomend 18 degrees advance. When I took it to Acura for an oil

change I had them advance the timing but the ECU kept retarding it back. They

even tried to reset the ECU, but it didn't work. How do you guys advance your

timing if ECU is retarding it? Do I need to program ECU to advance timing? Or is

there some other method to advancing a Type R timing? Can someone please fill

me in on this subject? THANK YOU

 

S.O.S. HELP! PLEASE!

 

yeah, make sure you have the ecu maintainance plug (little 2 prong blue connector to the right of glove box housed in a little green plastic thing) shorted with a paperclip or the ECU will do exactly as you said. pull the paperclip after you've adjusted your timing.

 

Did they short the service connector when adjusting the timing? Was the car fully warmed up when adjusting the timing?

 

You adjusted the timing by rotating the ignition Distrbuter mount right? there is no other way I think.....well unless you get into the ECU. Don't know why you'd have to short the ECU while doing it.....Did they use the timing light to see if it had advanced, otherwise how coul they tell?

I've done mine, without shorting....but just resetting the ECU. And it seems to work.

 

Yes they did short the service conector, and the R was warmed up. Everything was off. The only thing that was different was he didn't use a timing gun. He had some kind of acura computer thing that he claimed was more acurate than a timing gun. WHAT GIVES! why was the computer retarding?

 

Maybe I should reset the ECU then maybe it will nolonger retard. I think I can reset the ECU by disconecting the batery for 15 min. Tell me if I'm wrong, and if you think resetting ECU will work.

 

usually the computer will compensate the timing over time. Not instantly.
Instead of using their fancy computer just use a timing light.
Rotate the distributor towards the cabin. If it is that +/- 2 degrees the ecu shouldn't take over that quickly.

 

Well it sure was adjusting it instantly. How do I reset the ECU?

 

Ok, I have a question...what do you turn towards the cabin? Do you take off the distributor to do it?

 

How do I reset the ECU?

 

Can anyone please answer my question?

 

How did you reset the ECU?

 

To reset the ECU - disconnect the -ve battery terminal for a few minutes. Cheers.

 

or pull the fuse from the box....keeping in mind the need to have your radio code handy.

 

I want to thank everyone who provided infomation. Again THANKS

 

Sorry for the delay,

Yes to reset the ECU, disconnect the negative or ground for 15 mins(even less is fine). OR you can remove the EFI A/F fuse and the radio/ECM fuse. Either way make sure you have your radio code to use your radio again.

When Advancing timing, a move of upto 2mms(Edited.....my bad for indicating cm!) is MAXIMUM....I think. I don't remember turning TOWARDs the cabin/firewall BUT away from it.

In any case, get some with a Timing light to confirm all of this. Yes, the ECU tries to compensate, that is normal, but you are STILL running advanced; I believe the ECU thinks it's retarding. That's why that whole using the advance ACURA machine connected to the ECU is garbage.



[Modified by jonnyR, 9:04 PM 7/16/2001]

 

I reseted the ECU it seemed to work car feels somehow faster. My distributor is

only moved just under 2 mm advance so im sure its within spec. my only worry is

that at idle it sounds a little louder than normal. When advancing timing to 18

degrees is it normal to hear the motor a little louder? Car sounds fine when reving

just not at idle, and I don't Know what pinging sounds like. Can someone please

confirm that its supose to be a little noisey.



[Modified by 01PYTypeR#1140, 9:08 PM 7/16/2001]

 

S.O.S. PLEASE HELP!

 

Just leave it where it is. Gains are very minimal if any at all.

And dont go back to that Acura dealership, especially if they cant set timing.

If you still want to advance it, I would recomend getting the helms manual and use it.


[Modified by t, 6:16 PM 7/16/2001]

 

I gained 2-3HP and TQ across the board when I took it to 18 deg. Also Do NOT go 2cm!!!!! I hope he meant mm. I indexed mine at 16, 18 and 20degrees and it is about 2mm difference between each mark.

 

If you want to advance your ignition timing you turn the distributor in the CCW direction. The CCW direction is determined by standing on the passenger side of your car and looking at the distributor. So, to answer the question turn the distributor towards the firewall.

-kenji

 

I reseted the ECU it seemed to work. The car feels somehow faster. My distributor

is only moved just under 2 mm advance so im sure its within spec. my only worry

is that at idle it sounds a little louder than normal. When advancing timing to 18

degrees is it normal to hear the motor a little louder? Car sounds fine when reving

just not at idle, and I don't Know what pinging sounds like. Can someone please

confirm that its supose to be a little noisey.




[Modified by 01PYTypeR#1140, 11:19 PM 7/16/2001]

 

If he used the OBDII diagnostic port to measure your timing, he didn't understand what he was reading...the computer will tell him what the ECU is currently running for timing at that specific moment, it is not measuring the distributor timing, only ECU timing...if you had taken it out for a test drive you would have noticed that it will vary from around 9 degrees up to 40+degrees.

People who have tools that they don't know how to use properly can be dangerous.

Where did you take your car? I sure as hell don't want to take mine there.
Austin

 

That's what I figured...how the heck can you measure timing from the OBDII. I think a timing gun at idle is the best. I checked, and mine is 2mm CCW from the passenger side..hence toward the firewall.

I put some 87 octane in the other night cos I ran outta gas on the way up the mountains.....put 2 bottles of octane boost too...but it sounded like it was knocking for the first few minutes or so...until the boost mixed in I guess...if that makes any sense!