Today's video covers a topic which is relatively simple but at the same time is a subject that we constantly get asked to explain and that is - how to use a timing light to set up your base timing. Matt goes over the basics in this quick step-by-step tutorial. Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave it in the comments section!
Haltech, on your plug & play ecu's how accurate is your offset TDC in you base maps you provide? I know this always should be checked but surely your base maps will be accurate within +/- 2°? Cheers Shaun
Used this to show a associate what he should be doing, This among many others reasons is why Haltech is the default choice of ECU for my builds and customers before any other option is even considered. Quality products and amazing customer service.
You guys are great with all the videos you do, examples and everything, that even a newbie like me can understand, haha. Actually, I was searching for a video of this type a few days ago because it was something similar that I've seen before and I couldn't find it anymore, and you just uploaded one video with all the examples. Love it, keep up!
Informative. Rather than a How to use a timing light you showed how to Use a timing light With the Haltech ECU software and other ways to get it working for lets say coil on plug. Very well done. Good Job Videos like these are Golden
If some of you are confused by the 520 figure for the timing to fire at TDC, the ECU can't anticipate, but counts from the crank sensor trigger point which will normally be a bit after TDC. So crank sensor triggered, 520 degrees or engine rotation, and ignition triggered for that cylinder.
That's nice but what about cranking advance? Try and start an engine with 220 psi cranking with 15 degrees advance. Show us the difference between quick start, sync, wasted spark and the other parameters with cranking. A video showing how to set up this would be good, since before any engine can run, it's gotta first start.
So what is performed first? Setting base timing or adjusting ignition latency? I believe one has to be re-adjusted after correcting the other... Thanks
I noticed on the base map for a 01-05 wrx the TD offset is at 40 degrees, yet the 06-07 sti base map TD offset is at 400 degrees. Why are they different?
Very Stupid Question: does it matter which spark plug wire I use? Isn't the TDC sign referring to a particular piston? How do I know which one is at top dead center? Thanks
the problem im having is that with the ca18det, the cam sensor mounts to the actual cam belt cover, their is no bracket under the cover like their is on an rb, so i cant have the cam sensor mounted and check the timing with the timing light on the cams to make sure its firing at TDC, the next thing im going to try later today (once the battery gets some more charge into it) is using the exhaust cam through the oil filler cap to see if it flashes with the lobe facing the turbo and hopefully ill be able to know if im on the right 0 or if im 360 degrees off, fingers crossed it works lol
Also struggling with timing on my ca18det..using coilpack and wastedspark ecu..timing sync on software and engine at 0 deg..then added 10 deg and engine sitting at 20deg
@@jppelser4511 you need to lock the ignition timing to 0 in ignition setup, then check the timing, adjust the cam sensor until your engine is as close as possible to 0, then change the offset in the ignition setup to get the engine to 0. From how you worded your issue it's hard to give you any more specific advice. But it sounds like either your timing is incorrectly setup or you have a timing correction table adding timing, so after (or before) you confirm your ecu knows where 0 is, then try locking it to 10. If your still having issues contact haltect support, they are SUPER helpful
Appreciate that youâve got to keep these videos simple but checking TDC with a screwdriver/indicator can be inaccurate. The piston positive stop method is the way to go đ
Pro tip: if you have coil on plug ignition, putting the timing light pickup around the coil wires will fire your timing light accurately, no need for an ignition lead.
This will give you a incorrect reading and is noted in the Haltech Quick Start Guides to not do this. Older Nissans commonly have a timing light service loop on the coil harness and many do this and get incorrect TDC numbers.
Jake Elliott - Not true. When you connect the timing light to the wire that goes into the coil it will show the timing at the beginning on the coils dwell cycle, but the spark doesn't happen until the end of the dwell (obviously) so the light will show the timing is advanced by a factor of whatever the coils dwell time is. Please follow the advice in the video and use a spark plug lead.
Today's video covers a topic which is relatively simple but at the same time is a subject that we constantly get asked to explain and that is - how to use a timing light to set up your base timing. Matt goes over the basics in this quick step-by-step tutorial.
Got a topic you'd like us to cover? Leave it in the comments section!
Haltech, on your plug & play ecu's how accurate is your offset TDC in you base maps you provide? I know this always should be checked but surely your base maps will be accurate within +/- 2°?
Cheers Shaun
Glad you made this one, every step you help us with helps save our builds and builds your reputation that much more. Thanks!
Used this to show a associate what he should be doing, This among many others reasons is why Haltech is the default choice of ECU for my builds and customers before any other option is even considered. Quality products and amazing customer service.
Very well explained! There are so many videos out there on the internet that fail to do so.
You guys are great with all the videos you do, examples and everything, that even a newbie like me can understand, haha. Actually, I was searching for a video of this type a few days ago because it was something similar that I've seen before and I couldn't find it anymore, and you just uploaded one video with all the examples. Love it, keep up!
Informative. Rather than a How to use a timing light you showed how to Use a timing light With the Haltech ECU software and other ways to get it working for lets say coil on plug. Very well done. Good Job
Videos like these are Golden
Ok Im learning haha. I didnt know this was required so is likely part of my current problem trying to get a first start. Thanks
Great tip on the old spark plug wire!!
Truth, may do that with mine.
If some of you are confused by the 520 figure for the timing to fire at TDC, the ECU can't anticipate, but counts from the crank sensor trigger point which will normally be a bit after TDC. So crank sensor triggered, 520 degrees or engine rotation, and ignition triggered for that cylinder.
"Zee" -- what kinda aussie....
Love the videos! Haha
Ahh... we can't win, it's either the Americans having a go at "zed" or the Aussies, Kiwis and Brits having a go at "zee". We might just call it ZZZZ.
I'm 'Merican and prefer saying "Z", some of the Z owners I know like to use "Zed". I've owned a few Zs, but definitely didn't dive in like some do.
Great tips!
That's nice but what about cranking advance? Try and start an engine with 220 psi cranking with 15 degrees advance. Show us the difference between quick start, sync, wasted spark and the other parameters with cranking. A video showing how to set up this would be good, since before any engine can run, it's gotta first start.
So what is performed first? Setting base timing or adjusting ignition latency? I believe one has to be re-adjusted after correcting the other... Thanks
Legitimately helpful!
I love these videos
What do you do with coil on plug?
I noticed on the base map for a 01-05 wrx the TD offset is at 40 degrees, yet the 06-07 sti base map TD offset is at 400 degrees. Why are they different?
đđ that was awesome get an old plug lead and cram it in the end of the coil pack đđ
What would happen if you used a TDC offset of 5° and not 520°?
And how does it work if you have a dizzy not fixed timming
does modern car automatically set the timing when aligned the marks
No. It needs a reference.
how about supersport bike that don't have TDC sight at the rotor cover?
Very Stupid Question: does it matter which spark plug wire I use? Isn't the TDC sign referring to a particular piston? How do I know which one is at top dead center? Thanks
99% of the time its cylinder no.1
the problem im having is that with the ca18det, the cam sensor mounts to the actual cam belt cover, their is no bracket under the cover like their is on an rb, so i cant have the cam sensor mounted and check the timing with the timing light on the cams to make sure its firing at TDC, the next thing im going to try later today (once the battery gets some more charge into it) is using the exhaust cam through the oil filler cap to see if it flashes with the lobe facing the turbo and hopefully ill be able to know if im on the right 0 or if im 360 degrees off, fingers crossed it works lol
Also struggling with timing on my ca18det..using coilpack and wastedspark ecu..timing sync on software and engine at 0 deg..then added 10 deg and engine sitting at 20deg
@@jppelser4511 you need to lock the ignition timing to 0 in ignition setup, then check the timing, adjust the cam sensor until your engine is as close as possible to 0, then change the offset in the ignition setup to get the engine to 0. From how you worded your issue it's hard to give you any more specific advice. But it sounds like either your timing is incorrectly setup or you have a timing correction table adding timing, so after (or before) you confirm your ecu knows where 0 is, then try locking it to 10. If your still having issues contact haltect support, they are SUPER helpful
How about a proper TDC mechanical check, as some new pulleys donât have a TDC mark. As if you had done it the 5 degrees may have been obvious.
We've covered a TDC setup in a separate video: czcams.com/video/2yoxiKJ1KzY/video.html
Anyone have a name or part number for that special spark plug wire he had in the video to build the âspark bridgeâ?
Check ebay for coil plug tester. Plenty for around 5 quid on uk ebay.
Appreciate that youâve got to keep these videos simple but checking TDC with a screwdriver/indicator can be inaccurate. The piston positive stop method is the way to go đ
Yes, we have separate video dealing with that topic in detail:)
czcams.com/video/2yoxiKJ1KzY/video.html
what timing gun/light are u using in the video?
Pretty sure it's a Hella if you still need this answered
You failed to mention the compression stroke IE firing number one ? Hopefully you haven't confused to many of your subscribers.
How does wastedspark timing sync work?
It fires every rotation instead of every 2.
That wire heâs talking about is an in-line spark tester.
Pro tip: if you have coil on plug ignition, putting the timing light pickup around the coil wires will fire your timing light accurately, no need for an ignition lead.
Sometimes this works but sometimes it won't. Often the timing gun is not sensitive enough to pick up the pulse from the reasonably small signal wire.
This will give you a incorrect reading and is noted in the Haltech Quick Start Guides to not do this. Older Nissans commonly have a timing light service loop on the coil harness and many do this and get incorrect TDC numbers.
Jake Elliott - Not true. When you connect the timing light to the wire that goes into the coil it will show the timing at the beginning on the coils dwell cycle, but the spark doesn't happen until the end of the dwell (obviously) so the light will show the timing is advanced by a factor of whatever the coils dwell time is. Please follow the advice in the video and use a spark plug lead.