pippen

I have an 89 ea spak mpfi and when I earth the wire to put the ecu in timing mode the car wont start, after about 4 attempts at starting it finally starts but coughs and splutters for about 30 seconds then runs fine, dose this mean the ecu is stuffed?

EDXR8

When it did start was the base timing OK, because the EEC doesn't add any timing when in diagnostics mode if the base is out by a lot it may cause starting problems. Otherwise I am not sure why it would be doing that, I have never had any problems starting in diagnostic mode.

pippen

if i put the timing light on it not in timing mode its good, but when in timing mode its way out. if i set it right in timing mode its way out when not in timing mode. is that the way its supposed to be.

EDXR8

The timing should be to manufacturers specs only when in diagnostics/timing mode.

pippen

how do you find out manufacturers specs to set it to that

EDXR8

Should be on the sticker under the bonnet but just in case it has worn off it should be set to 10 degrees BTDC in diagnostics mode.

pippen

ok thanks