Does anyone happen to know if the newer OBD2 cars with no distributor still require base timing adjustment?? Or is it completely controlled by the computer??

thanks.

 

It will depend on what year/make/model.


My wife has a '93 Mazda MX6 (it's her car. Not mine) that has OBDII system, but you can still set the base timing.

 

No. OBDII did not start unitl 1995/1996. So the Mazda is not an OBDII car.

If it is a distributorless ignition system, which roughly 90% of cars are these days, then the base timing is not adjustable. It should state that on the emissions lable under the hood.

 

OK smart ace...

The frikken '96 MX6 is OBDII, but it still has adjustable dist.

That's more info than he really needed though since we have no idea what car he's talking about.

 

thanks for the replies guys. actually i wasn't referring to a specific car, I am just trying to determine if it is worthwhile getting a timing gun if my future vehicles are newer (aside from the firebird of course ). So on the distributorless cars, absolutely everthing to do with timing (base, advance etc) is controlled by the computer then?

 

Did we even read the entire post? I said distributorless systems were not adjustable. I did not say ALL OBDII cars were distributorless... reread the post Mazda is one of the very few manufacturers to still include dist. on their cars (as in other 10%). I'm a tech at a Lincoln/Mercury/Mazda dealer.

And to eddie jr, if it does not include a distributor, like MOST new vehicles, the ignition timing is solely controlled by the PCM.

 

cool, thanks

 

Shoot Eddie, they don't even have marks on the balancer any more, so a timing light is useless today. Now for older cars it's priceless! I spent about hundred buck on one that shows rpm, timing, & adv timing adjustable. niceeeee

BTW: If your looking ahead, save money for an Auto Xray. That's money well spent for modern cars. If you have killer cash get a Tech 2, but be ready to fork out around 3 grand for the newer ones.

Ron

 

ronterry - i've seen those advance timing lights in stores along with the regular ones but have never used one. I have always been curious as to how exactly they work?

 

For stock cars a non-advance unit works fine for setting the base timing, and if the balancer has timing marks all the around you can check/set the total timing.
There's the key word -- Total timing -- Basically the adv adjustable lights allow you to center the timing mark by manipulating the strobe timing. So when checking total timing or timing when the mechanical advance is all the way open (2800+ rpms / depends) the timing mark will go off the scale (36° or so degrees). So you start adjusting the light, and bring the timing mark to 0 on the balancer, then read the value off the light.

So I guess even an advance light can diagnosis stock cars for proper mechanical advance function also.

Here's a manual of my unit (pdf)
http://www.timinglight.com/resource/..._pdf/3568e.pdf

Ron

 

cool, thanks. Ya learn something new everyday . So the advance timing lights are only really for cars with a vacuum module on the distributor or provisions for mechanical advance? Cars like the 3rd gen F-bods with computer controlled advance timing cannot be checked, is that right???

 

Base timing can be checked and adjusted the old fashioned way with a light. However, with the computer controlled thirdgens, advance can be checked, and not adjusted. The only way to change advance is electronically in the ECM.

And the vacuum canister is a secondary means of timing advance beyond the mechanical in the distributer on non computer cars.