There are Toyota factory service manuals stickied at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiveForums.com. I suggest you go over there and download the generation 3 service manaul. It should have the procedure with some pictures. You can download the manual for free.

I know that you will have to jumper TE1 and E1 inside the diagnostic connector, connect the timing light probe to the number 1 spark plug wire and connector the power and ground connectors of the timing light to the battery. Adjusting the timing itself should be loosening the distrbutor mounting bolts (there should be 2) and rotating the distributor while observing the timing mark with the light flashing on it. It will move as you turn the distributor. On most timing lights you pull the trigger and the light will flash every time the number 1 spark plug fires. When the timing is right, retighten the distributor hold down bolts.

Mike

 

I put my timing light in storage after I sold my 84 Subaru. That was the last carb'ed car that I owned too.

I thought that the ECU advances or retards the timing bases on what input it is getting from the sensors. To change that manually, I have heard of programmable modules or chips that may do that and other things, but I have never looked into one.

 

I put my timing light in storage after I sold my 84 Subaru. That was the last carb'ed car that I owned too.

I thought that the ECU advances or retards the timing bases on what input it is getting from the sensors. To change that manually, I have heard of programmable modules or chips that may do that and other things, but I have never looked into one.

That depends on the engine. The 5s-fe has no knock sensors. And about a month after I advanced my timing, it is still just where I put it.

 

Easy stuff.

http://www.toyotacelicaonline.com/timing.htm

If this is a 1mz-fe it will be very similiar to this process.

The only note I would make is to say that you don't time it for performance ad just keep it at 10 btdc for her car!

 

When TE1 and E1 is jumpered, the engine ECU will enter a diagnostic mode to not advance or retard timing, and I think it locks in 900 RPMS.

At that speed you can use the timing light to shine at cyl.1 TDC and then verify the timing mark on flywheel.

 

Thanks. I just might blow the dust off my light and see where it is at.

 

I figured out why it runs like poo... Every time I put the belt on, lined it up, and tightened it down, it would jump three to four teeth EVERY time I hit the *&#$^ ignition... So then, I decided to loosen the tensioner, and take up the slack counter clockwise over the cam and bunch up all the slack over the tensioner and release the tensioner and lock it back down again... THEN, it jumped two teeth (at least it wasn't three, now we're getting somewhere)... I decided in the end (and 4 hours) that the tensioner needed to be replaced, so she's gonna get another one tomorrow...

Man, things are HARD out here for a girl with a tool box... Now I see why mechanics get paid so much...

 

Unless the bearing is bad, the tensioner itself won't affect how the timing belt lines up. Did you tighten down the tensioner before you hit the ignition? Don't mean to imply, just checking.

If I remember correctly, there is also a update spring for the tensioner for some of the 5sfe, more coils and shorter.

N.E.O.

 

Unless the bearing is bad, the tensioner itself won't affect how the timing belt lines up. Did you tighten down the tensioner before you hit the ignition? Don't mean to imply, just checking.

If I remember correctly, there is also a update spring for the tensioner for some of the 5sfe, more coils and shorter.

N.E.O.

OK, fine... ya got me there... :headbang:The first time, no, I did not... But every other time, I did, and it still skips teeth...I'll try it again tomorrow, but I called it a night because I was getting frustrated and had daydreams of taking a BFH to it...:cursin:

 

We need a GIF, perhaps Beelzebub yanking a thread out of the grave, to warn that the thread is older than dirt; the OP has left 9 years ago; and answers may not be at hand.