3FSE timing check tachmeter

[seandil]

Hi ,
What kind of tach meter do I need that connects to the distributor's IIA connection? I am assuming this is a OBD IIA connection my Chilton's manual is talking about?

I know I need a timing light with an inductive clamp, but my manual mentions the tach meter to check engine idle is special and connects thru a plug from the distributor and I can not find one. I have good instructions on how to do the test, but not on this tool.

For instance I know I need to 'jump' the E1 and TE1 terminals of the box under the hood before starting the check. I know I hookup to the No# 1 spark plug wire, which on this engine is the shortest wire leaving the distributor, I think? This is where the inductive clamp from the timing light comes in. I also know the setting I am looking for is 10 degrees BTDC as marked on the lower timing belt cover where the drive pulley is located.

I just need to know what I am looing for in a suitable tach meter.

Please let me know and thanks all.

[nopain00]

The tach I use is an Actron CP7605, which I got from amazon for ~$30. It's an analog model and is pretty basic, but it does the job. The IIA connection is on a small wire behind the distributor, covered with a whitish plastic cap. It is not an ODB II connector.

To connect the tach, I took a small piece of wire and crimped a male 1/4" spade on each end. One end fits into the IIA connector, and the other end connects to the alligator clip on the tach.

[white90dx]

Don't even worry about the tachometer. As long the motor is below about 1k rpm, you can set the timing just fine. Make sure the motor is warmed up and it should be fine.

The #1 cylinder is the longest spark plug wire, the cylinder closest to the 'front' (timing belt side) of the motor.

I use a paper clip as my jumper for the T and E1 terminals in the check connector (located on the driver's side strut tower), and I just leave it pressed into the bracket so I have it any time I need it.

-Charlie

[seandil]

Thanks Gentlemen,
Y'all are geniuses. I love tools and just in case I find a tach meter, would NoPain please tell me where to buy the male ends of the 1/4 in. spade connection? I do not even know what one is. Otherwise, I will do what White90DX says.

By the way mine is a White '90 DX. Everytime I search for parts the option I get is "DLX" rather than DX? Only got 125,000 and would make it from AL to AK if necessary. Only problem has been a water pump which I should have changed when I first changed my timing belt 30,000 miles ago. Live and learn. I did not even start to work on it until 118,000 miles. It even had all the original transmission and differential fluid in it. Great car!

Thanks again sirs.

[nopain00]

So white90dx is right, you don't absolutely need a tach if all you're doing is setting timing, but it's handy to have to set the base idle and troubleshooting a few other things.

The connectors are also called "male quick disconnect" like these http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...er=296889_0_0_ . Most auto stores like Autozone will have them, a few to a box.

You'll also need a small stretch of wire that fits the connector (making sure the guages match).

Finally, you'll need a wire crimper like this:

Amazon

Amazon

to attach the connectors.

A word of caution: when you connect the tach to the IIA plug, make sure that no part of that connection touches ground; i.e. make sure that the spade connectors and the alligator clip are either covered or remain elevated from any metal engine component. If you let them touch, you'll damage the coil.

Good luck.

[seandil]

Thanks again to all who posted,
Since I like doing this stuff I appreciate all the setting me straight advice. However, I just noticied that on eBay, I may be able to get a digital timing light that has a tach meter within the unit for about the same price as buying a timing light, plus a meter? Does anyone have an opinion on how they work or how accurate they are?

[nopain00]

It's difficult to say how that particular piece of equipment works without having any information about it like the brand or design. In general, a timing light is fairly simple, electronically. Years ago, they had timing lights that were just a neon bulb that was powered solely by the inductive current from the spark plug wire. Newer ones are powered separately and are just triggered by the current going through the spark plug wire. The differences are in the type and brightness of the light itself. The old neons were very dim. The newer strobe-type lights are better and allow you to set timing even in daylight. Aside from that, they are pretty much the same.

The tachometer is a little different. Some of them are not calibrated well or have too much play in the needle (for analog models). For the work you're describing (setting the base idle speed), you just need to be close, so again, most models will do fine.