Miata Mailing List: October 1994, Message #134
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   From: 
Subject: More Ignition Questions
   Date: Sat, 8 Oct 1994 19:42:40 -0400

Miateers,
OK, so much for the crank sensor lock bolt torque (I did a 
seat-of-the-pants torquing), now for the next questions.

I recalled someone mentioning the need for higher octane fuel with the 14 
btdc setting, so I filled it up with 93.  I am hoping that I really don't 
need that high a value, because it ain't cheap.  I figured that I would 
relax the octane level gradually until I found a level (hopefully 89) 
that would meet the needs of the advanced timing and not be too 
expensive.  Any comments?

Next, as I was setting the timing everything went exactly as expected, 
until I went back to the cockpit.  With the jumper in (between pins 10 
and gnd) and the timing light still attached to both power and plug 1, 
the check engine light was flashing periodically, that is, it would 
flash for for a few seconds and then stay off, flash for a few seconds 
and then go off again, etc., etc.  After I pulled the jumper out and 
disconnected the timing light, the light went out and stayed out.  I then 
drove Mimi around the block, and the light stayed off.  I am assuming for 
now that as I adjusted the timing, I went too far (as far as 16 or 18 
btdc) and then adjusted it back to 14 (I had misread the timing marks at 
first, and realized my mistake after counting the marks between T and 
10), and that this excess setting triggered the check engine light until 
the engine was cycled off and on, thus resetting the sensing circuit.
Comments?

Later,
Tom