Idle Speed & Ignition Timing
NOTE:
If engine is equipped with a dual diaphragm distributor, vehicle will not have an ignition timing adjustment connector.
- Ensure vehicle is at operating temperature, all accessories are off and transmission is in Park or Neutral. Vehicle front wheels must be in straight-ahead position and curb idle speed set to specification. If vehicle is equipped with a dual diaphragm distributor, go to next step. If vehicle is equipped with an ignition timing adjustment connector, go to step 3).
- Disconnect vacuum hose farthest from distributor. Plug vacuum hose. Check basic ignition timing. Connect vacuum hose to distributor. Check actual ignition timing. Refer to IGNITION TIMING table in this article.
- Ground ignition timing adjustment connector. Refer to IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT CONNECTOR LOCATION table in this article. Check basic ignition timing. Disconnect ground wire on ignition timing adjustment connector. Check actual ignition timing. Refer to IGNITION TIMING table.
IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)
| Application |
Basic |
Actual |
| 1.5L |
| Colt & Colt Wagon |
5 @ 650-850 |
15 @ 650-850 |
| 1.6L |
| Colt |
5 @ 650-850 |
8 @ 650-850 |
| 1.8L |
| Colt Wagon |
5 @ 600-800 |
15 @ 600-800 |
| 2.0L |
| Colt Vista |
5 @ 600-800 |
10 @ 600-800 |
| Ram-50 |
8 @ 600-800 |
13 @ 600-800 |
| 2.6L |
| Conquest |
10 @ 750-950 |
15 @ 750-950 |
| Raider & Ram-50 |
7 @ 750-950 |
12 @ 750-950 |
| 3.0L |
| Raider |
5 @ 600-800 |
15 @ 600-800 |
IGNITION TIMING ADJUSTMENT CONNECTOR LOCATION
| Application |
Wire Color |
Location |
| Colt |
Yellow/Red |
Left of center on firewall. |
| Colt Wagon |
Brown |
Right of center on firewall. |
| Colt Vista |
White/Black |
Right of center on firewall. |
| Conquest |
Red/Yellow |
Right front of eng. compt. |
| Raider |
White/Yellow |
Left rear of eng. compt. |