Ok, I am trying to set the timing on my car, it states 6 degree's BTDC on my emissions sticker. I first start the car, it runs at about 1500rpm while it warms up, an 12 degrees BTDC. It warms up, then I set it to 6 degrees BTDC. After it runs for a bit, it drops back to 6 degrees ATDC or more. It keeps friggin jumping around on me and I can't seem to figure out why. BTW, I saw in another post you're supposed to disconnect some conenction on the distributor. Whats that about? Any topics about setting the timing and exactly how to do it? Maybe I'm just doing something wrong.

 

Yea, the brown and tan wire on teh passengers side near the heater fan. disconnect that wire to properly set your timing. You will get a code 42 after you disconnect that wire, so after you set your timing....clear the codes by disconnecting the pos connection to your battery for 5 minutes.

 

Yes! It is one of those great GM weather connectors. It's a snap. You've already won half the battle in checking your emissions tags underhood. I've seen a lot of fellow 700R4 owners not see that setting timing must be done in drive and then wonder why it isn't right (not me, LOL!). Follow Raiden's advice and you'll be good to go! Also, my mark will jump around a little too, not bad though. I just shoot for the middle, LOL! Good luck, you'll get 'er right!

 

Oh lol I didn't know it had to be done in drive lol. Thanks! And thanks raiden too!

 

I jacked that up once myself. I just happened to actually read the emissions tag. Now I don't know exactly how far off the timing would be doing it in park or neutral, but it ran right when I did it the way GM commanded me. Yes GM, I succumb to your power, LOL!

 

Ok, more about this weather connector though... I can't find a brown / tan wire anywhere near the distributor.

 

I believe they're talking about one that should be hanging out of a wire loom with a connector in-line so it's easily disconnectable, it's been so long since the timing was set in my car, and to be honest, I'm not sure if mine was disconnected last time it was set. I know it wasn't in drive at the time, sounds like I'm going to have to redo it. yay.

 

Ok I know which one you mean, but it's white not brown / tan lol. Thanks IROCWPB

 

Disconnect the NEGATIVE to reset the computer

 

No, the white wire is for the tach. There is a tan wire with a black stripe that is a little further to the left of the white wire you describe (further from the distributor). When you disconnect this wire, it WILL trip a code, and you'll notice the engine change rpms, as the advance changes because the ECM thinks the ESC module has failed due to no signal. It is similar to running the car in diagnostic mode or "closed loop". Model years 1987 and earlier you could just jump the ALDL terminal to do this, but in 1991, you have to disconnect the ESC wire.