On engines with transistorized ignition, the ignition timing usually does not go astray. However, it should be checked as part of the service. The ignition timing must be set after the ignition distributor has been loosened.
On engines with an ignition system without a distributor, setting the ignition timing is not required.
To make it easier to check the ignition timing, it is recommended to mark with white paint on the crankshaft pulley and on the toothed belt guard.
To check and set the ignition timing, an engine speed meter and a stroboscope are required.
On engines with a mechanical interrupter ignition system, the closing angle is set, see the relevant section.
Warm up the engine to operating temperature (coolant temperature 80°-90°C) Turn off the engine.
Turn off all electrical consumers.
Set the gearbox to neutral, apply the handbrake. With an auto-magic gearbox, set the lever to "R".
Engines with volumes of 1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 l
Connect the engine speed meter and stroboscope in accordance with the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Variant with built-in ignition coil
If the vehicle has an ignition coil integrated in the ignition distributor and no tachometer is installed, then the RPM signal can be read as shown in the figure.
Start the engine and leave it to idle.
On engines with an FBC carburetor, depress the gas pedal once to engage the fast idle.
Check if the speed is between 700-900 rpm, otherwise adjust the speed.
Aim the strobe light at the TDC mark on the crankshaft pulley.
The ignition timing is adopted correctly if, when the strobe lamp lights up, the risk on the crankshaft pulley is opposite the desired mark on the toothed belt housing. The required ignition angles are given in the table in section 5.2.
1.2 / 1.3 / 1.5 liter engines produced from January 1984 to August 1990
1.3 / 1.5 liter engines from September 1990 to March 1992
If the ignition timing marks do not match, release the clamp (s) nut (nuts) ignition distributor and correct the ignition timing by turning the ignition distributor.
Tighten the ignition distributor to 10 Nm.
Disconnect the gauges with the ignition off.
At the service station, the inertial and vacuum correction of the ignition timing is additionally checked at various engine speeds. But this is required to be carried out only in case of violations in the operation of the ignition system.
Check idle speed, adjust if necessary, see p. 7.4/8.4.
16-valve engines with volumes of 1.6/1.8 l
On vehicles with power steering, set the steering wheel to "directly".
Connect the engine speed meter and stroboscope according to the manufacturer's operating instructions.
Attention: Insert a paper clip into the diagnostic connector as shown in Figure K-1215, and connect the engine speed meter as shown in Figures K-1213 and K-1214.
Note: On engines manufactured from May 1989 to March 1992, the engine speed meter shows only half of the true value. Therefore, to obtain the true value of engine speed, the reading must be multiplied by 2.
Let's check» idle speed If it is outside 850±100 rpm, check the idle speed control.
Switch off the ignition.
Remove the plug from the terminal for setting the ignition timing.
Connect the ignition timing terminal to ground through the auxiliary wire, ensuring good contact.
Start the engine and leave it to idle.
Check the ignition timing setting and compare with the desired ignition angle, see point 5.2.
If the ignition timing is out of tolerance, loosen the nut of the 1st crankshaft position sensor. Set the ignition timing by turning the sensor as shown in the figure.
Tighten the fastening nut.
Switch off the ignition.
Disconnect auxiliary wire. Put the plug on the ignition connector.
Check the ignition timing again and compare with the reference value.
Attention: The moment of ignition can fluctuate within±7°. If the test is carried out at high altitude (above 1000 m above sea level), another 5°may be added to the reference value.