Hi,
I need some help. I have a 1991 Sterling 827 SLi, made for the California, USA market. It has a catalytic converter. I want to adjust the timing which currently is 18º or 23º BTDC, depending on which timing instrument was used. The Haynes manual states that for use with unleaded gas, the timing should be 11º BTDC. It also says that for cars with a converter, the timing cannot be adjusted manually (the control boxes are different). Also, I was told that timing and other settings may need to be re-set whenever the battery is disconnected. Hopefully, setting the timing will correct a long time over-heating problem that I have had with the car, or, at the very least, will eliminate the timing as related to the problem. Other than that, the car runs absolutely great. All other remedies have been done, including flushing the cooling system, replacing the radiator and the thermostat and replacing the head gaskets. Is there a trick I can use or an ignigtion ECU interface I can get that will allow me to do the adjusting?
Thanks in Advance,
Art
compukey@flash.net
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Is the ignition setting for the USA market different from that for the same vehicle over here? Your figure may be correct.
I'd double check, and whether the vacuum leads have to be connected or disconnected.
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This vehicle uses the Honda PGMFi engine management system (Matsushita ECU). As far as I am aware the timing is not adjustable on cat-equipped cars. Since the system is essentially the same as that used on Honda Legend 2.7 of the same vintage you may wish to approach a Honda dealer or Honda specialist who might have a few ideas.
There are loads of rubber vacuum pipes on this car - check that they are all correctly in place and that none of the pipes are cracked. You may also want to check that all of the vacuum solenoids are working correctly (in a box on the firewall, IIRC).
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I'll be checking the lines and solenoids when I get my car back. I've read that it might not be adjustable, but I thought there might be a trick such as adjusting the timing belt a notch or two. Could I replace the ignition control box for the one with the timing adjuster? I know there might be emission control problems, but would it be the only item I would have to change? By the way, I could use a source for the speedometer transducer on this car. The dealer in London I was emailing bowed out when I couldn't provide a part number he could order it with. In New York there is a garage that will sell me one that will work, but he needs to change the connector. If I knew which transducer he was using, with a wire list I could change the connector myself. The transducer has, I'll check for sure when I get my car back, 4 wires and a 12 (about) position connector. The US Sterling part number given to me by two different companies that were suppling it is 88300045. The London dealer thought it might be YBE10040, but he didn't have one to describe the wiring and connector.
Thanks for your help so far.
Art
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Thanks for your reply. The car is currently at an Acura dealer. The first thing I'll do when I see it will be to check the label as to the timing. The car runs great, but I'll also look into the vacuum lines and solenoids. I have just not heard of such a high timing advance and I know it could cause the engine to run hotter.
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