[btwilson86]

In very broken down form, here's how to set your ignition timing:

Put engine at Top Dead Center (TDC) on the compression stroke (if you have your upper valve cover off, the cam gear alignment marks should be pointed straight up with the crankshaft timing mark at 0?).

Remove the Cam Position Sensor (CPS). You may need to remove a few things that are in the way, such as the intake hose that runs from the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor to the turbo, the power steering pump and bracket, and a couple of electrical connectors on the coolant temp sensors.

On the shaft of the CPS, there should be a little dimple on the very end (the part that spins). Align this with the cutaway mark on shaft's alignment teeth (the gear theeth looking part that is fixed to the CPS).

Carefully insert the CPS back into the cylinder head, making sure to not disturb the alignment setting you just did. Typically the CPS has to be rotated slightly so you may need to re-adjust as necessary.

Reattach everything you removed, leaving the set bolt for the CPS just after finger tight.

Run engine until coolant reaches normal operating temperature, then shut it off. If the engine is not running somewhat smoothly, you can loosen the CPS set bolt and slowly rotate the assembly until it evens out.

Using a suitable jumper wire, insert one end into the "TE1" terminal on the self diagnostic port and the other end into the "E1" terminal (just like checking for error codes).

Attach an inductive timing light to the no. 6 spark plug wire.

Making sure no wires are in the way, start your engine. It is normal for the Check Engine Light (CEL) to be on.

Shine the timing light at the harmonic balancer. With each flash, the timing mark should lign up with the 10? BTDC mark on the block. If it does not, rotate the CPS either way until it does. Tighten down the CPS set bolt to lock it in position. If you are not able to get it close enough, you may have to re-adjust the CPS alignment and try again.

While still shining the light at the harmonic balancer, remove the jumper wire from the diagnostic box. Verify that the spark advances to 12-15? BTDC.

Shut off the engine, remove the timing light, and check for error codes. If you have any, write them down and reset the ecu (pull EFI 15 fuse or disconnect neg battery terminal for several minutes).

Take it for a test drive and verify that it's running smoothly, and check for codes again after you park it.


Wow, that was a lot longer than I thought it'd be.... Hopefully that helps you out. To all members, if I blotched something please post to let Cyto and everyone else know.