Ignition Timing

Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Turn engine off. Remove cover from diagnostic cover, located on left strut tower. Connect tachometer to specified terminal of diagnostic connector and to the battery. See Fig 1 .
CAUTION: DO NOT ground tachometer terminal in diagnostic connector, as grounding terminal could result in ignitor or ignition coil damage.

Fig 1: Identifying Diagnostic Connector Terminals Prizm & Prizm GSi)
Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Ensure idle speed is within specification. See IGNITION TIMING SPECIFICATIONS table. If idle speed requires adjustment, see IDLE SPEED under IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE.

IGNITION TIMING SPECIFICATIONS (Degrees BTDC@RPM) ⁽¹⁾

Application

Man. Trans.

Auto. Trans.

Prizm

⁽²⁾ 10@700

Prizm GSi

⁽²⁾ 10@800

⁽¹⁾	If specification differs from emission label, use specification listed on emission label.

⁽²⁾	Specification listed with jumper wire installed between terminals E1 (Brown wire) and T1 or TE1 (Blue/White wire) of diagnostic connector, located on left strut tower.

Turn engine off. Attach timing light to No. 1 spark plug wire. Install jumper wire between terminals E1 and "T" or TE1 of diagnostic connector. See Fig 1 .
Start engine and check timing mark alignment on crankshaft pulley with timing marks on timing belt cover. Ignition timing must be within specification. See IGNITION TIMING SPECIFICATIONS table.
If ignition timing is not within specification, loosen distributor hold-down bolts and rotate distributor to obtain correct ignition timing. Tighten distributor hold-down bolts to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m). Recheck ignition timing.
Turn engine off. Remove jumper wire from diagnostic connector. Remove timing light.