Thread: timing keeps fluttering while trying to set it

i'm trying to get my timing set correctly and everytime i get it set i can rev it and then the timing marks aren't even close. i dunno if i'm just not getting it into timing mode correctly or what. i revved it to 3000 3x's and then unplugged the tps sensor, set the timing then it jumps from 15 to like 30, set it again and it jumps from 15 to 0. this is getting frustrating. please help! btw its a 93 Sentra SE-R and had just had the timing set changed before i bought it. the computer looks to have been changed and so has the distributor. thanks

First off, what RPM are you trying to set the timing at? You need to be in the proper window to do that 650-850 RPMs *I believe* (someone correct me if I am wrong there).

Next, with the '93, that should be a highport engine (unless it was swapped for a lowport for some reason), and they are notorious for having jumpy timing/idle. One of the things you can do if after you've done the rain dance, unplug the brown connector off the IACV harness. This may help stabilize the timing; set your timing, rain dance to lock timing, plug everything back in and you should be good to go.

Darrin

it's idled at 8-900 rpm. and its a lowport

Make sure your harmonic dampener outer ring has not separated from the inner.

It sounds to me like you are not in set timing mode. When you are, your idle timing as read with a timing light will be dead solid.

It can be tricky ot get it in set timing mode without a computer software like Nissan Datasscan, and an OBD cable.

I agree, it as long as your crank pulley is ok, which I believe it should be, you are not getting the car into timing mode.

ok well is there any other ways to get it into timing mode? i tried it again tonight and it was as jumpy but still was solid.

See post #5. Also dealership.

I never had a problem getting the sr's into timing mode unless the idle valve was f'd. This was the manual way, get up to temp, rev up 3 times above 3k rpm's and unplug tps.

you rev it then unplug the tps? and do you unplug both plugs on the tps or just one or the other?