civic_driver

Hello guys,

I have a 99 Civic VP (Value Pack) sedan which is like a CX/DX, automatic with a D16Y7.

I'm trying to check the timing and I can't find the service connector. What color should it be and where exactly do I look for it? I tried looking under the dash on the passanger side but I couldn't find it.

Thanks!

civic_driver

I tried measuring the ignition timing without connecting the service connector and when I switch the timing light to 12 degree advance the notch is right where it has to be (at 12 degree BTDC) but when I switch the timing light to 0 degree advance the 0 BTDC (or TDC) notch is not lined up with the notch on the crank housing. Am I expecting wrong results when I switch to 0 advance on the timing light or is it that the ignition timing is not set correctly?

Maybe on the civic I have there's no 0 BTDC notch and only the 12 BTDC notch exists, is that possible?

Thanks!

civic_driver

need an answer guys. thanks in advance

Swansen

in the same boat as you, but after some google searching i've found the answer, on that, i can't believe this isn't in the FAQs... anyways, links.

http://www.clubcivic.com/board/showthread.php?t=97312
http://www.hondacarforum.com/honda-2...on-timing.html
http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/timing/timing.php
http://www.superhonda.com/forum/f55/...across-268106/

civic_driver

Thanks, that should do it about the service connector, I will check it in a second.

About the second question, for example this site shows 4 notches for measuring the ignition timing (http://www.c-speedracing.com/howto/timing/timing.php). It shows 0 BTDC, 14 BTDC, 16 BTDC, and 18 BTDC. On my honda it's 12 BTDC (instead of 16) and I think that's the only notch on the crank pulley (it's white in color). I don't think the red and the green notches exist on my civic. Does anyone who has taken out the motor and looked at it in detail know if that's the case?

That last link is excellent. Thanks!

Btw, Swansen, did you find the connector on your civic?

Edit: I just tried looking for the service connector and I couldn't find it. I looked on the right side below the glove box. Is it behind the glove box or below it? What color is it? Is it plugged into something or is it just hanging in there? Do I have to remove the ECU kick panel (to uncover the ECU) in order to see the connector?

Swansen

alright, right from FSM

Swansen

well... just noticed you have a 99.. so i'm not sure if its the same, but i found it, mine is green, or has a green rubber sheath on it. F HONDA THOUGH, seriously, i'm going to have to take the ECU out to get at the damn plug... this is just ridiculous, honda wasn't really thinking here... Its like in the first picture, next to the ECU right by the connector for the harness.

civic_driver

On my 92 civic I found it no problem but I can't find it on my 99 civic. Gotta look tomorrow morning when the sun comes up. It's too dark outside right now.

Swansen

F'N A, seriously, took me almost an hour to get that connector out... ANYWAYS, mo betta links.

http://alflash.com.ua/honda.htm
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t407937.html
http://www.crxsi.com/manuals/Honda_C...ice_Manual.htm

civic_driver

I think that second link has it. It's probably in the passenger side kick panel. I'll check tomorrow morning.

THanks for the help, Swansen! Much appreciated!

Swansen

yeah the service manual link was just for fun, that first link has a picture of what your looking for, so you'll be able to recognize it. But man, just got done, and having three bolts hold down the disty really makes life hard, its advanced like a little bit, but thats as close as i could get it with fiddling around with it for half an hour.... anyways, that was a battle, hardest ignition i have ever timed.... (don't think mini-me swap helped any though)

civic_driver

Okay, I found the service connector on my honda. It's located behind the kickpanel on top of the ECU (I had to remove the kick panel to access it). The connector itself is blue and is plugged in a green, rubber housing. Hope this helps anyone looking for it on 96-00 civics.

Now my other question still remains. Does anyone know if the 99 civic has only one notch (which is at 12 BTDC) on the crank pulley or does it have more and I just can't see them?

Thanks!

honda.lioness

Those marks can get so dirty they are invisible, or the paint chips off. All four marks should be there. Try some acetone, PB Blaster or brake cleaner on a q-tip to at least uncover the etchings. Maybe re-paint them with nail polish.

globy123

Why did you have to adjust the timing? Was something wrong with the engine?

civic_driver

I didn't adjust it, I only inspected it.

robbys89

sorry too bump in on your thread civic driver but if your timing was off would your performance be affected all through the RPMS or could it happin after say 2500 RPM and run like poo after that

civic_driver

The performance is usually affected after a certain RPM unless the timing is really out of whack (in which case it will run like crap all the time). The reason being is that the car runs fine at higher RPMs if the timing is say advanced but at lower RPMs it detonates because the piston is close to TDC (Top Dead Center) when the explosion occurs.

unusual71

this is the first i've heard of this ignition timing service connector. Im going to be swapping an OBD1 b-series engine into a 2000 civic. when i adjust the timing on initial start up do i need to jump this connector? thanks in advance

civic_driver

Yes, any time you adjust the ignition timing you have to have this connector jumped.

z6hatchboy

You can call it a ignition service connector but that and the ecu jumper is the same things. You jump this to check codes and set ignition timing. You do it so you can set the base without the ecu adjusting it based on loads, rpm, ect. It allows you to properly set the base timing. Its as simple as1,2,3. 1-jump service connector, 2-attach timing light, 3-loosen distributor and adjust accordingly

robbys89

cool thanks that helped me out a lot! got the car running much better now. it used to run like crap after 2500rpm. i had to fully advance the distributor. used to bog a bit around 4000rpm for a few seconds and i made it worse when i start playing around with it. thats when it start struggling at 2500rpm and over. gona get a new 1 soon since i made a ***** of the distributor i have at the moment. shouldent have too fully advance it for the car to run propley

rkpatt

I need to replace the distributor and reset timing on a Gen 1 2000 Honda CRV . Can someone please tell me where the ignition timing service connector for this vehicle is located. -Thanks