Timing adjustment method -- does it matter??

[randomwalk101]

Okay, last time I was at the dealer, the mechanic there adjust my timing without shorting out the ECU. Recalling from the Helm's manual, I asked him why not and he told me it's the same...the timing doesn't change. He showed me timing before shorting out the ECU then short the ECU, the timing is the SAME?? What's up with this?

[Red97GSR]

I thought that if you don't short the ECU, then the ECU will eventually not keep this new timing and will retard back to stock timing even if you turn/advance the distributor all the way.

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1997 Milano Red Integra GSR
18 deg timing
Custom K&N RU3130 CAI
KYB AGX
H&R OE springs
Neuspeed 19" Rear Sway Bar
16" Snipers w/ 215/40 Toyo T1+

[CivicR]

Heres the deal on why you need to short the service check connector while setting the timing...when the connector is not shorted the ecu will correct timing based on atmospheric conditions such as air temp and barometric pressure...etc...when the connector is shorted the ecu will not do any corrections....thus allowing you to properly set the static timing...on occasion your settings with the connector shorted and not shorted will look the same...it just depends on the current conditions of the motor and atmosphere...A friend of mine here on the board..CHILI...had his charger installed by a local mechanic that wasnt that familar with Honda/Acura's service practices....that mechanic did not short the service check connector when he set the timing to 10 degrees...when they dynoed the car the HP was way low...in the 190 range...after weeks of troubleshooting to find why the car wasnt making power...we even varified with the local mechanic that he set the timing at 10 degrees..he said he triple checked it....another shop discovered that the timing was at 16 degrees...and that he was detonating in cylinder #1...which resulted in a motor rebuild...so make that a lesson to you that you set the timing with the service check connector shorted!!!!

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John
B18C1 powered Civic EX Coupe
'92 Civic VX Hatch...waiting for H22A

[CivicR]

Hey Mike did you read this?

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John
B18C1 powered Civic EX Coupe
'92 Civic VX Hatch...waiting for H22A

[reddelsol]

If you disconnect the battery does that short the ecu?

[Red97GSR]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by reddelsol:
If you disconnect the battery does that short the ecu?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

You need the engine running to adjust the timing properly.

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1997 Milano Red Integra GSR
18 deg timing
Custom K&N RU3130 CAI
KYB AGX
H&R OE springs
Neuspeed 19" Rear Sway Bar
16" Snipers w/ 215/40 Toyo T1+

[reddelsol]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Red97GSR:
You need the engine running to adjust the timing properly.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well, on mine, I've scribed it where it was 10 degrees of timing.

It's true, I don't actually know where the timing is advanced at the moment, but I've moved it around a bit, listening for engine knock and adjusting accordingly.

So, does disconnecting the battery work?

I know that will reset the ecu for codes. I don't know where to short it at, or I'd do that.

[randomwalk101]

To short the ECU, reach under the very left under the front panel on the passenger's side (just on top of the kick panel). You will see a plug housing which has two plugs in there. Pull out the plug that has two wires, run a wire/paper clip in those holes to complete the circuit. This will short out the ECU and your check engine light should be on. Hope that helps.

[BlownAway]

Seems like the Acura techs don't know about the service connnector. My local shop didn't know where it was. I tried to adjust without it jumped, and the timing didn't move with the distributor. I think Acura/Honda techs just never (have to) adjust timing.