Need help with ignition/timing troubles - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

nogard · 03-30-2008, 07:08 PM

Here is what i have: '88 3S-FE 5 speed. Today I went to do the AFM "cog" leaning trick, that is on the board. After reading the thread someone recommended turning the timing from 10* to 17*. When I bought the car it was up higher than stock. But I turned it back down when I gave it a tune-up. About 18,000 miles ago I changed plugs (NGK), new wires, cap, and rotor. The car ran great.

Now when I went to set the timing with my timing light the mark on the pulley keeps walking around the crank counter clock-wise. I did buy a new timing light I thought mine was bad, but it does the same thing right out of the box. So I know it isn't the light. Some thing is wrong with my car, and it is stumbling again around 2500 rpm no load. I had to set the timing this afternoon by driving down the road and turning it up until I hears knock and then turning it back a little. So I have no idea how many degrees I'm at.

So my questions are: Why is the timing mark walking around the crank? How does the car run light this? What is the cause, bad distributor, timing belt?

Why is the car suddenly missing? Am I due for a tune-up again? New plugs at least?

Thanks,

Dave

atobe · 03-30-2008, 11:12 PM

you have to jump the TE1 and T1 jumper when setting timing...

nogard · 03-31-2008, 06:36 AM

I know this, and I did this, forgot to mention that I did that step. I tried it with the jumper and without just to see if there was a difference, and there wasn't.

nogard · 03-31-2008, 10:06 PM

Well I was over due for a plug change, they were pretty worn. I've had the NGK v-powers in there about 1.5 years with about 18K miles on them. So that solved the missing problem.

I think I know why the timing mark is creeping. I think the rubber on the crank pulley is shot. The outer part of the pulley is slipping on the inner part. I took the alternator belt off to lessen the load and then the timing mark would stay in one spot. Not the right spot, but it wouldn't move. So I still can't set my timing. But now I know I need new pulley. I don't know if I should trust a used one from the salvage yard. Or spend $110.00 on a new one, it hardly seems worth it though. Or try to find an aftermarket underdrive pulley.

Hope this helps anyone in the future with this problem.

Skiermang · 03-31-2008, 11:30 PM

It sounds like something is amiss with the test port rather than the timing. Play with the wiring and make certain it's jumped correctly.

nogard · 04-01-2008, 06:45 AM

I don't know what you mean by the test port? I was using an inductive timing light. It get power from the battery and then a clamp goes around the #1 spark plug wire. And of course the T and E1 pins get jumper in the diagnostic plug. This appears to be working right, the check engine light comes on and flashes constantly.