Hey guys. I have a 99 Honda Civic sedan. The engine is pinging when under load. I am trying to adjust ignition timing. I am using a video as a guide which is located here http://www.wonderhowto.com/how-to/vi...timing-267223/

When I look under the hood for ignition timing spec under "Catalyst" I only see Valve Lash which is 0.20+/- 0.02mm. Underneath this it says "No other adjustments needed". Does this mean that ignition timing is preset at the factory and computer controlled so I cannot adjust it?

 

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/ignition-timing-service-connector-2549755/
Check out the links on the 4th post (specifically the 1st and 3rd link).

 

If the ignition timing is fine, another possibility is that you got bad gas. Try another gas station for the next fill up.

 

I already tried using Shell gas with the highest octane there was for a couple of fill ups but the pinging was still there. So, I was advised to check the ignition timing next.

Why do you think the ignition timing is fine?

 

Before you adjust the ignition timing, you have to jump the service connector so that the computer doesn't try to adjust it after you change it. After you're done adjusting the timing, disconnect the jumping wire from the service connector.

You can adjust the ignition timing from the distributor. Simply unscrew the three bolts holding down the distributor and rotate the distributor towards the front of the car to retard the timing and towards the back to advance it. Since you have pinging, you will have to retard the timing, so rotate the dizzy towards the front of the car.

Simply follow these instructions:


Btw, are you running the correct ECU for this motor? If not the ignition timing map on the ECU might not be correct for your motor. I would assume that adjusting it from the distributor will fix the pinging problem but is not an elegant way to go about it if in fact you're not running the correct ignition timing maps on the ECU.

 

I think you are correct in checking the ignition timing with a timing gun. I was just letting you know that, if the timing turned out to be fine, then bad gas is another possible explanation for the problem, though you already considered this idea.

 

So, you disconnect the service connector, you adjust ignition timing manual, and then do you connect the service connector back on?

 

No, the other way around. Jump service connector, adjust timing, and then disconnect the jumping wire from the service connector.

 

Thanks for you help. One more question, how do you jump service connector?

Where can I find information on how to jump service connector? What does 'jumping service connector' exactly mean?

 

Imagine a connector with two holes in it. Jumping that connector means that you connect a piece of wire across both holes like this (sorry for crappy drawing):



I assume you know where the service connector is. If not let me know and I'll explain.

 

What does this do? Does it inactivate something?

 

Like I said, it makes it so that the computer no longer adjusts the timing until you remove the jumper wire.

 

That makes sense. When you remove the jumper connector after adjusting timing manually, does the ignition timing go back to being controlled by the computer so setting the ignition manually would not really fix anything or am I wrong?

 

The computer plays a role in the timing but if you change it from the distributor that will take effect as long as you plug the service connector before changing the timing.

 

I just use a paperclip to jump the Service Connector. Just unfold the paperclip and plug it in. Below is courtesy of my mad Art Skills.

 

 

Warm the car up first, turn off, then jump service connector, adjust timing, and then disconnect the jumping wire from the service connector.

 

I am having hard times to find the SCS - connector from my del sol (1996 EDM). What should it look like? Is it connected to somewhere?

 

It's probably loomed with the rest of the wires from the ECU and the connector is hanging out at the top of the ECU behind the kick panel. On 96-00 civics it's a blue connector (that is plugged into a green rubber housing from the factory; some people remove the green rubber housing when they use it so you might have to look for just a blue connector). It's a 2 point connector (2 wires).

 

I'm curious, I've got a D16Z6 and I've adjusted the timing as far as I can, the dist won't turn any further, but it still runs poorly under 2500 RPM, runs great above that. It's got 93 octane and new dist and new fuel pump,NGK wires and air intake.

The ECU has been replaced with a non-vtec ECU from same year civic, the ECU was reprogrammed by Phearable.net to run the VTEC (and he replaced the capacitors)

My question is does the ignition timing map need to be changed?

 

Why

The ****

Are you bumping

A 6 YEAR OLD THREAD?

Read the rules thread. Then go make your own thread. You know better. Quit ******* up.