Ignition Timing

IGNITION TIMING SPECIFICATIONS ⁽¹⁾

Application

Man. Trans.

Auto. Trans.

Metro & Firefly (Canadian)

⁽²⁾ 4-6 @ 750-850

⁽²⁾ 4-6 @ 800-900

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

⁽²⁾	With jumper wire installed between 6-pin duty check DLC terminal No. 4/D (Black/Blue wire) and terminal No. 5/E (Purple/Green wire), located behind left strut tower.

Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Ensure all accessories are OFF and transaxle is in Park (A/T) or Neutral (M/T) with parking brake fully applied. Ensure idle speed is within specification. Adjust idle speed first if not within specification. See IDLE SPEED under IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE.
Connect timing light to No. 1 spark plug wire. Remove cap from 6-pin duty check DLC, located in rear corner of engine compartment near left strut tower. Connect a fused jumper wire between terminals "D" and "E" of duty check DLC. See Fig 1.
Check timing mark on crankshaft pulley with timing marks on timing belt cover. Notch on crankshaft pulley should line up at 4-6 degrees BTDC on timing indicator. Ignition timing must be within specification. See IGNITION TIMING SPECIFICATIONS table.
If ignition timing is not as specified, loosen distributor hold-down flange bolts, and rotate distributor to obtain correct ignition timing. Tighten distributor hold-down flange bolts to 11 ft. lbs. (15 N.m). Recheck ignition timing. Turn engine off. Remove jumper wire, and install cap on duty check DLC. Remove test equipment.

Fig 1: Identifying 6-Pin Duty Check DLC Terminals

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.