LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> Mazda >> 1980 >> RX-7 S, Automatic Trans >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> Ignition System >> Ignition Control System >> Testing & Adjustment >> Trailing Ignition Operation
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Trailing Ignition Operation

  1. Warm engine to normal operating temperature. Stop engine and connect tachometer and timing light (at trailing spark plug wire on front rotor housing). Disconnect No. 1 water temperature switch coupler and connect jumper wire between both terminals of wiring harness.
  2. On Federal models only, disconnect No. 2 water temperature switch coupler (located on top radiator tank) and connect jumper wire between both terminals of wiring harness. On Federal Man. Trans. models only, disconnect altitude compensator switch coupler and connect jumper wire between both terminals of wiring harness.
  3. On all models, start engine and set engine speed to 2000 RPM, using choke knob. Slowly increase engine speed, using throttle. Timing light should flash when engine speed exceeds 4200-5000 RPM. Push choke knob back in and note that timing light continues to flash.
    Fig 1: Testing Trailing Ignition Operation
    G09324568Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.
    NOTE: On Man. Trans. models, timing light flashes at engine speeds of 2700-3300 RPM 1 1/2-2 minutes after pushing choke knob back into position. On Auto. Trans. models, timing light flashes at any engine speed 1 1/2-2 minutes after pushing choke knob back into position.
  4. On Man. Trans. models only, increase engine speed to 2000 RPM, using throttle. Slowly decrease engine speed and note speed at which timing light starts flashing. It should be 1050-1250 RPM.
  5. Again on Man. Trans. models only, slowly increase engine speed and record speed at which timing light stops flashing. This speed should not vary more than 80-220 RPM from speed recorded in step  4).
  6. Again on Man. Trans. models only, slowly increase engine speed to 2000 RPM, using throttle. Depress clutch pedal and note that timing light flashes when shifting into 4th and/or 5th gear.
  7. On all models, set engine speed to 2500 RPM, using throttle. Timing light should flash when idle switch lever is fully pushed up to idle position.
    NOTE: On Federal Auto. Trans. models, timing light flashes when coolant temperature is below 5° F (-15° C). On Federal Man. Trans. models, timing light flashes within 1 1/2-2 minutes when coolant temperature is below 5° F (-15° C) when engine speed exceeds 3000 RPM.
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals