Setting ignition timing on '89 90Q without VW 1367

[J.B. Hebert]

OK... I tried again today with better sucess.  I put the engine at TDC 
and the new distributor as close as I could by eye using the rotor and 
the mark on the distributor.  I marked 15 BTCD with some white paint.  
After getting the car good and warm, I put a fuse in the FI relay and 
hooked up the light.  After a fair amount of careful fiddling with the 
distributor, I finally found my mark and got everything set.  Car is 
running well with good idle, etc. so it appears that it can be done by 
light without any issues.

Thanks for the feedback.

J.B.

Huw Powell wrote:
>
>> Just to clarify, the service manual does state that the timing must 
>> be set to 15 +/- 1 after the distributor is replaced, but it only 
>> gives directions for doing so with the VW 1367 tool.  I'm just 
>> wondering if I can still get an accurate reading with a light instead 
>> of the specified tool.  It's just odd that they say that you can use 
>> the light for '87 and '88 but for '89 it's "unnecessary".  Just 
>> confused.
>
> You should be able to do it with a timing light.  An "advance" light 
> helps because the "zero" mark is the easiest one to see.
>
>>> >From memory, an adjustable timing light can be used.  It can be 
>>> verified and
>>> base setting can be set with the light, but as long as it's close, 
>>> timing
>>> and advance functions are handled by the ECU.
>
> Get it right if you can, since the ECU doesn't know what the "static" 
> setting is, it just advances/retards by a map from wherever you have 
> it set.
>
>>>> I just replaced the distributor in an '89 90Q and I'm going to set the
>>>> timing.  The service manual has a procedure for setting timing on '87
>>>> and '88 cars using a timing light, but for the '89 it says, "Checking
>>>> ignition timing using a strobe is NOT necessary".  Does this mean it
>>>> cannot be done, or does it assume everyone has a VW 1367 tool at their
>>>> disposal?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks in advance (heh).
>>>>
>>>> J.B.
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