Honda Stock Ignition Timing
When installing a performance chip in cars that use an ignition distributor, since the chip program is based on stock settings, it is required that the ignition distributor is at the stock ignition advance setting. Many times, it happens that car owners have previously done a manual timing advance on the distributor, in an attempt of getting more power out of the engine. This must be corrected by putting the distributor back to the stock setting before installing a performance chip. Otherwise, ignition timing electronically controlled by the chip will add up to the already advanced setting of the ignition distributor, resulting in an ignition timing way too advanced, producing engine knocking and possibly engine failure, especially at high engine speeds.
The following stock ignition settings are for Honda cars where performance chips are often installed.
92-95 Civic EX (P28 Chip, D16Z6 1.6 L SOHC VTEC Engine) and 92-95 Civic DX (P06 Chip, D15B7 1.5L SOHC Engine)
| Degrees BTDC | @RPM Automatic | @ RPM Manual |
| 16° | 650-750 | 620-720 |
92-95 Civic CX (P05 Chip, D15B8 1.5L SOHC Engine)
| Degrees BTDC | @RPM Automatic | @ RPM Manual |
| 12° | 650-750 | 620-720 |
94-95 Civic Del Sol (P30 Chip, B16A3 1.6L DOHC VTEC Engine)
| Degrees BTDC | @RPM Automatic | @ RPM Manual |
| 16° | 650-750 | 620-720 |
All 94-95 Accord EX/LX (P0A, P0B Chips, F22 2.2L Engine)
| Degrees BTDC | @RPM Automatic | @ RPM Manual |
| 13°-17° | 650-750 | 620-720 |
All 93-94 Prelude S/Si (P12, P13, P14 Chips, H22, H23 2.2L/2.3L Engines)
| Degrees BTDC | @RPM Automatic | @ RPM Manual |
| 13°-17° | 650-750 | 620-720 |
93-95 Honda Prelude Ignition Timing Adjustment
For doing the ignition distributor adjustment on Prelude, you will need a timing light. The car must first be warmed up until the fan turns on. Timing marks are exposed by removing the rubber cap from the inspection window on the cylinder block, by the bell housing. Also, the ignition timing check connector must be jumped. It is located under the center of the dash. See the drawing below for its location.
Connect a jumper wire between the Blue/White and Brown/White wire terminals.
To adjust timing, loosen the distributor hold-down bolts and turn distributor housing counter-clockwise to advance or clockwise to retard timing. Align the pointer with the Red timing mark.
When the job is done, tighten the distributor bolts to 16 ft. lbs. (22 N.m). and recheck timing.
If it is all OK, remove the jumper from the ignition timing check connector. Reinstall the cap into the inspection window on the cylinder block.
94-95 Honda Accord Ignition Timing Adjustment
Adjustment for the Honda Accord is similar to the Prelude described above, with the exception that timing marks are located on the timing belt cover itself and the service connector is located under the glove compartment, as shown below:
92-95 Civic Ignition Timing Adjustment
The Civic procedure is no different from the two above. Like in the Honda Accord, ignition timing marks are located on the timing belt cover itself. The ignition check connector is located on the right side (passenger’s side) kick panel, near the ECU. Check the drawing below for location:
These are the timing marks on the 1992 – 1995 Honda Accord:
Timing Marks on 93-95 Honda Accord
On the picture above, the red mark is 15 degrees BTDC, while the white mark is TDC (0 degrees BTDC). If colors are faded, you may clean the area from dirt and/or grease and highlight each with white and red chalk, so it shines through the timing light. Remember that the last mark at the right should be the white one (TDC).
Hi, interesting post. I have been wondering about this topic,so thanks for writing. I’ll certainly be subscribing to your blog.
great info! thanks ever so much for everything. looked everywhere till i found the specs that i needed.
gOD BLESS…
MarCus Miller
Great info! This has everything I needed to know to check the timing. Well, except for one minor detail. It would be very helpful, if you could show a graphic of where the inspection window is located. I can’t find it. And no timing marks show up when checking the timing from other angles. I have a 94 honda accord ex
Hello Henry. The window part is for the Prelude. Your Accord should have the timing pointer on the timing belt cover, unless it is broken or not present for any reason.
Actually, the last picture on the article is from a 1994-1995 Accord. Yours should be similar. Anyway, I will do some research. If I find something will post a comment here.
Best regards and thanks for writing.
Richard
Hi, I need information about where are the obd 1 to accord 1995 coupe
Hello Juan, welcome to this blog.
I am afraid that I did not fully understand your question. If by OBD 1 you are referring to the data link or diagnostic connector, it is located behind the glove compartment and has three wires.
If it is not what you are looking for, please let me know.
Regards,
Richard
Have 94 Civic EX. Had to replace the distributor on the car. On setting the timing… Do I set it right on TDC or the 16 degree mark (RED) mark as shown on your sketch?
Thanks
Gilbert
Hello Gilbert.
You should use the red mark. At idle, it must align with the pointer, provided that you already warmed up the engine and jumped the service connector. If it doesn’t align, then you should loosen the distributor to adjust until the red mark aligns. If there are three red marks, try to align the center one. The other two are maximum and minimum accepted alignments.
Cheers,
Richard
how do i fix the timing on a 95 honda prelude si
Can adjusting the valves on a 93 honda civic throw the timing off? i adjusted the valves, and now the car wont start.
I have a 2001 Acura CL. Reading information from the vehicle computer with a scan tool, I see the timing is set at 6 degrees advance at idle. I see from the specs that initial advance should be at 10 degrees.
The engine was in a car that was in an accident and I replaced the timing belt and re-aligned all marks properly, I believe. Car does run, only issue is a slight pinging at initial acceleration. Pinging goes away quickly. I have replaced the knock sensor. Shouldn’t the ODB2 reader be telling me that advance is 10 degrees at idle?