timing problem *UPDATE!!!!*

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
so after jdm 7mgte reassembly, engine set at 0 degress on crank pulley and notches lined up on the cam gears, cam position sensor installed and timing set to 10 BTDC with plugs te1 and e1 shorted (diagnostic mode), engine struggled to rev past 3000 rpm on the test drive (at 10 degrees BTDC). it felt like the spark timing was not right so i tried retarding it to15 degrees BTDC and the car ran better. the car is running better the more i retard the timing at idle. right now i would say it's at around 23 degrees BTDC which is pretty damn ridiculous being that TSRM says to set it at 10 degrees BTDC. i am not going to retard the timing any more because even though it's running better i do not want to risk a KABOOM! here's the kicker, i have a CEL code 51 for TPS a/c signal. i have already replaced the TPS and set it up according to the TSRM and still have the code. My questions are, do the timing and TPS have any relation to why the spark timing is way off? and also when i pull the grounding wire out from terminals Te1 and E1 the timing does not automatically advance like it's supposed to. is the 10 degrees BTDC just a starting point and you are supposed to adjust as necessary from there? any thoughts?


**UPDATE**
i found a few things wrong. first off the ISC check valve was installed incorrect. fixed that problem. also found the wings on the metal piece underneath the throttle position sensor that actuates it were bent. therefore i couldn't get a good TPS adjustment. replaced the metal piece from another throttle body and now it's good to go. i havent messed with the timing at all since i started and it's dead on!! car idles good and code 51 is gone. the only problems that arose now are i have a code 31 which is mass air flow meter signal and code 52 which is knock sensor. GRRRRRRR!!!! not sure what's up with the air flow meter but i ohmed it out and it checked good. during the engine install i repaired the knock sensor wires with just regular wire and i guess that they need to be repaired with shielded cable. woops. just wanted to say thanks for everyone's input and help. that stupid TPS sensor is mad sensitive just like i read everywhere else lol!!
 
Last edited:

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
i replaced TPS today and setup to TSRM specs and still have the CEL for it so i have no clue what the heck else it could be
 

mkiiichip

New Member
Sep 10, 2007
1,434
0
0
42
WI
Timing cant be set correctly, with that code stored.
What is the voltage of IDL pin with the throttle closed?

Also, some timing lights, with electronic advance function have special ways of checking timing on a waste spark system.
Does the timing look like its at 20iish with the light set to 0*
 

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
i have the A/C compressor installed but has no freon in it. i have fixed all vacuum leaks that i've found. i guess that's gonna be the next thing i check but it's gonna have to wait till tomorrow. been at it since early this morning. i just wanna know if having the timing this far retarded is going to hurt the engine. this is my main concern. thanks
 

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
i've checked the timing 4 times already lol. trust me it's correct. but i will check it once more just for peace of mind. again. but as far as the resistance at idle goes, i dont remember exactly what the numbers were but it was like .8 or .9 with no feeler gauges installed. just to be sure the pins from top to bottom on a 7mgte Throttle Position Sensor go from top to bottom: VC, VTA, IDLE, E2 correct?
 

mkiiichip

New Member
Sep 10, 2007
1,434
0
0
42
WI
And what does the voltage do, as you open the throttle?
VTA should start at about 1V and slowly raise as you open the throttle.
IDL is a swich and should show either 0V or 5V.
May be looking at the wrong pin.
 
Last edited:

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
just to be sure the pins from top to bottom on a 7mgte Throttle Position Sensor go from top to bottom: VC, VTA, IDLE, E2 correct?
 

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
so on an 89 7mgte TPS what is the correct position of the pins from top to bottom? ive been doing more research and im starting to think that my throttle stop adjustment screw may be out of adjustment. like the throttle body isn't open enough or something. i have no idea. im digging into this hardcore tomorrow morning. im gonna recheck tps resistance, ISC resistance check and ensure it works and dashpot adjustment. hopefully i'll find something
 

reeds420

New Member
Apr 20, 2010
76
0
0
Phoenix
im assuming by rotor cap youre referring to a distributor. i have the 7mgte not 7mge so i have the cam position sensor and coil packs.