does Acura mechanic know what he's doing?

[Charged R]

I took my ITR into the Acura dealer to drill down on a check engine code. Turned out to be a defective Intake Air Temp sensor.

I also had Acura check my engine timing. The mechanic shorted out the service connector and told me he wasn't able to set the timing manually because the computer was overriding his setting after he removed the service connector short. Isn't this a normal condition, and isn't this why the service connector is shorted in the first place? I'm concerned that this Acura mechanic doesn't know what he's doing. All comments welcome. Thx.

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98ITR, JRSC, AEM/CAI, Comptec Catback

[Holden]

The service connector needs to REMAIN shorted while setting the timing.

Don't place to much faith in a mechanic's "Dealer" status.

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Greg Holden
96 GSR, JSRC @6psi, AEM CAI/RSR 4-2-1/Greddy PE, Cartech 20005/Walbro GSS-342/TPS Mod, JR BTC, KYB AGX/H&R OE Sport/ST 19mm Rear Swaybar
Best 1/4 ==> 13.937 @ 101.41mph
My JRSC Install Site

[Charged R]

Holden, do you know if it's normal for the timing to show a stock setting (16-17 degrees) after the service connector wire is removed?

[Mr Rogers]

Our cars stock timing is 16-18 at idle. That is very normal but you know what you should do..... Get yourself a Helms manual for $60 and do this stuff yourself. It is very easy even if you don't know what you are doing at first and the Helms will fill you in on everything "Technically" that you need to know. Then if you still have ?'s you can always ask here or on private email because we all know a little something and some more then others Have a good one

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98 GS-scR w/ 8psi JRSC, Walbro HO fuel pump, AEM cai, DC 4-2-1 one piece header, Thermal Exhaust, Skunk Works cam gears, J&S safeguard, RC 310's, Cartech FMU, Vortech regulator, H&R sports and KYB AGX's, and of course to slow down, KVR X-drill F&R rotors and Carbon Kevlar pads and V1 to signal the slowing down. *ITR LSD, JR flywheel, Clutch Specialties stage 4, NX Gen-X kit and CF diet going on soon....
Best et ==>13.6 @ 103mph w/ 2.3 60ft on Nitto drag radials

[This message has been edited by Mr Rogers (edited December 29, 2000).]

[Charged R]

I appreciate & follow the good advice regarding "doing it yourself". I follow this advice to a fault and find myself getting into trouble oftent. I have a timing light and a service manual for the Integra. My timing light is not a sophisticated model that allows you to set the degree variance on the light itself, and we all know that the Integra timing marks don't have a lot of precision in the 8-10 BTDC zone.

OK, Assume you adjust your timing to the desired reading by rotating the distributor while the service connector is shorted. Following the timging adjustment, you remove the wire from the service connector and take a reading with your timing light. Does the timing reading differ? Does shorting the service connector affect timing adjustment only, or timing reading too? Thanks in advance to all comments.

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98ITR, JRSC, AEM/CAI, Comptec Catback

[Import Tuner]

When you jump the SCC, the ECU goes into preset inputs from all sensors...
It also activates the memory function of your ECU, and displays any stored DTC's

Then you set your timing to spec...
When you open the SCC after setting your base timing, the ECU again recieves inputs from your various sensors, and could very well change your base timing settings according to conditions...

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Donny
Import Specialty Automotive (253) 473-2606

[JRCivic]

The stock ECU can only modify an incorrectly adjusted timing signal (did not short the service connector) a few degrees... say two or three +/-. Now, if you DO set it properly, the setting will hold. The only way I can see you getting readings that are varying as much as you stated is if the timing is being set/checked at other levels in the rpm band besides 750 +/-50 rpm. If you try and check the timing when the car is cold, the idle is above 1500 rpm, and the marks will show about 17'... when actually the baseline setting at 750 is TEN.

Timing must be adjusted at 700-800 rpm and the service connector must be (and remain until adjustments are complete) shorted.

Lastly, make sure that all THREE bolts on the distributor are tightened firmly.


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'93 Civic Si H/B with B18C1, JRSC @ 8psi
Best 1320: 12.68 at 110 mph

[Charged R]

Thx to all for info. </head>
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98ITR, JRSC, AEM/CAI, Comptec Catback