Timing

Imma Jeep CJ guy.I'm winging this off of experience with my Dad's '86 T-Bird

You have OBD1 system,

Used to Autozone had a Handout which showed you how to retrieve trouble codes. I think this could be done with a Analog or "Needle Type" voltmeter. Me and my Dad just decided to go ahead and buy the "Snap in" reader (about $40, years ago) for the '86 T-Bird

Regardless which you use--You must COUNT (Beeps-or-LED lights-or-the voltmeter needle sweeping. There are pauses--This gives you the CODE NUMBERS. For instance 3 beeps, pause, 4 beeps is "34" (just an EX.)

On the reader we bought it had 3 separate things that it read (I have CRS!) I'd have to dig that stuff out.

Usually the Check Engine Light is on if you have codes--Does your Check Engine light verify it "THE LIGHT WORKS" when you start your rig?

I may can help with how to get the codes---If Needed

This may tell you what system needs attention, instead of Trial and Error.

Tell me what you got in mind. At this post

I'll tell you what I can do, in "messages"

The Medic

Sorta primitive computer--(me too!)

Dads wouldn't idle, pick a number (it would!). It would throw random codes, it died when you stopped-I swapped/ replaced nearly everything, some stuff 2-4 times. Went to salvage yard robbed all sensors from 4 cars--bagful of sensors.$10! Bought some stuff new (inexpensive) I figured from 4 cars, at least one of each expensive sensor would be good, especially if Methodically replaced, one at a time, as not to factor in, a lot of bad stuff, all at once.

Still no fix, took it to "The Man". That dealers take their problem children to. Said it was TPS, after it was on his Billion Dollar Battleship Snap-On Machine. Replaced for 5th time!

NOOOOOOOOT!

T'was the injectors--no codes for that on his '86.I spent a month and a half monkeying with it! Suicide was next, I was letting Pap (my Dad, now deceaced) Down!

My pal took the entire throttle body off of one of the 4 cars at the yard, and told me to try it. Another well spent $10!

I know how you feel!

Your Turn

The Medic

Got an appt.

You wanna attempt the code thing. If we can?

Click on me. My avatar send me your E-mail address.I will try to scan and send some info to you. Kinda stuff I cannot send here!

Timing is probably not he issue at all. If it jumped it probably run really consistently terrible. If it would run at all.

So far, if the volcano was gonna over take me within 2 hours!

I would look for and repair vacuum leaks. Older rig, rubber connectors deteriorate, them small hard plastic lines break (some inside wire looms) others just become disconnected

You might shove a 4 ft. Long piece of 1/2"-3/4" inch heater hose/ garden hose in your ear---use the other end like a stethoscope to find the HISSES! (Try that 1st as well as visual)

WATCH OUT FOR THOSE PESKY MOVING PARTS! SHORT SLEEVES, TAKE OFF THE "PEACE SIGN" NECKLACE! GOT TO BARBER, IF YOU HAVE HIPPIE HAIR!----NO WANTY TO GET WOUND UP IN A BELT OR FAN!

IF I HAD TO CHOOSE A PART TO THROW AT IT WITHOUT FURTHER TESTINGI WOULD PICKTHROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (TPS). CHECK VACUUM LEAKS 1ST!

IF YOU HAVE MESSED WITH THE "IDLE ADJUSTMENT SCREW(S). NOT GOOD G.I. PROBABLY NOTICED IT IDLED UP OR DOWN TO COMPENSATE FOR YOUR TURNAGE. NOT GOOD. IT WAS SET TO "BASE IDLE" (EVERYTHING IS CALIBRATED TO THAT "SWEET SPOT") IF YOU TURNED 'EM, WE GOTTA GET IT BACK TO WHERE IT WAS. PLEASE SAY YOU DID NOT. WE CAN WORK THRU IT IF YOU DID, JUST MORE WORK!

I AM AN EXPERT HERE. NOT A PROFESSIONAL, LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER FELLERS. THIS IS MY HOBBY. IF YOU GO TO THE JEEP CJ 5 AND 7 FORUMS, YOU WILL SEE WHERE MY HEART LIES.I ANSWER THERE THE MOST, IMMA CJ GUY TOO. IMMA PLUMBER.I DO JEEPS.A LOT! GOT 2 NEARLY BUILT FROM SCRATCH. ALL BY MYSELF! SORTA SHOW 'EM AS MY "CREDENTIALS".I DO KNOW "JACK" AND HIS "LAST NAME" PROFESSIONALLY!

I'M SORTA LIKE YOU, AS FAR AS DOING MINE, FAMILY, AND FRIENDS REPAIRS, NO LIKEY SHOPS.I HAVE SOME GOOD AUTO KNOWLEDGE AND REFERENCES. JUST NOT UP TO PAR ON THIS NEW COMPUTER CONTROLLED CARS.I'M LEARNING, MAINLY HERE!

I WILL TRY TO KEEP ASSISTING ALL I CAN----OTHERS MAY JUMP IN TO HELP TOO. WATCH FOR "NAME CHANGES", SO YOU WILL KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO.

EMAIL? (MESSAGE ME)

GONE FOR A FEW HOURS. MAKE WIFEY HAPPY. SPEND $$$

THE MEDIC

We keep talkin' timing, wear would minimally change it, anybody move it? Let's Rule it out, as a factor. CHECK IT. Got tune up tools? Inexpensive set at "Harbor Freight". Less than $40, 'bout all you will need, compact, all in one case.

Current Codes, is the starting point!

Have you coded it. Codes?

Did you clear the codes, re-code again to see if the code #s changed?

Codes do not necessarily tell you what to change, they tell you what is being affected by a problem. I just dealt with/ still dealing with one, On a Toyota tuck, P0135, the codes meaning is "Fuel Air Metering"

This is OBD II--matters not! My 1st guess is throw on an O2 sensor ($99). After talking with others, this may be a vacuum leak, something allowing in too much fuel, like a bad injector etc.. Not my truck, friends truck! If he spends $99, and nothing changes, he will not be happy! So, the O2 could be bad (not sending correct info to the computer) Or it could be sending back correct info. But not what the computer wants to hear! Computer assumes everything should be perfect. When something goes wrong. It sorta points it's finger at "Who told it that!" NOT, "Who did it!". Some of the time, it does point to "Who did it", depending on what went wrong!

If you messed with idle adjustments---Correct "base idle" may be off, confusing the computer (everything is calibrated to B.I.)

Check Engine Light on? Lets hear some code numbers. Before you go further!

The Medic

Not trying to force you into the kit, it's just so. Every-things there!

Actually that one belongs to my buddy, I'm gonna get one to "travel" with, when friends call me!

I bought several of each piece, over the years, big stuff, decent stuff, kinda my Stay at the house tools, when I travel with 'em. Cumbersome, tangled, unprofessional looking!

My buddy is learning slowly, his set works very well, like I said, compact and all in one place.

Sending you a message, in a moment. Go "Home" click on "You", message center is to your left, click it, read!

The Medic

Roger received your commo (4) at my HQ.I am doin' Mama Checklist for a while, I will decode, soon as I return.

I really hope I can assist, but others here, are welcome to join in. This about getting you straight, fast as we can, not us! That's why we are here.

The Medic

Check for vacuum present at EGR at idle and at 1500rpm. Look at diagrams is this ignition and type of fuel system?

DO THIS---Except on the line to the EGR (not on manifold, as I show in my homemade pic)--The "TEE IN" may not be necessary, just the gauge on the EGR vacuum line. Worst case, your finger to verify there is vacuum at the requested times. Good to have a good tune-up kit w/ all you need!

Remove TFI module have it checked at an Auto Zone. Long history of problems. As for engine timing as to chain wear remove DIST cap rotate engine to TDC cyl 1 pointer on "0". Now roatae engine counterclockwise note when rotor moves if more than 5DEG chain worn.