Setting ignition timing on 1996 Nissan Altima?

Question

I have a 1996 altima, ka24de, and I recently replaced plugs/wires/cap/rotor as routine maintenance since those had not been changed since I bought the car. I was driving down the road and it came to a dead stop, just shut off all of a sudden. 

So I purchased all the possible suspects - a crank position sensor, ignition coil, and distributor - just to avoid multiple trips to the store. Crank position sensor was good, ignition coil was good, so it had to be the distributor, right?

I removed components and loosened the bolts on the distributor, then a friend who was helping me started twisting it before I could index it. Based on the marks of the washers, I took a guess at it, cleared the "check engine" codes caused by disconnecting sensors, and I was on my way (almost...turns out the relatively-new cap & rotor were defective. Got on my way by putting the original ones back on). 

I talked the guys in the store into reimbursing me for the out-of-warranty cap & rotor, but couldn't return the distributor. So far it's been fine (32+mpg) and doesn't knock or ping. I did attempt to find the markings on the timing pulley but could not find them. 

So where are these located? And since this is fuel injected, is the timing advance/retard automatic or must it be done manually?

? · Accepted Answer

On a car that old you might not be able to trust the TDC mark on the crank pulley becuse the rubber front pulley ballancer may have twisted. Bring #1 piston to the top and chalk mark the crank pulley there is your mark Now start up the motor and see if the egine idles at or around 10 to 12 degrees and rev the motor up and see 35 degrees. You will notice if you twist the distributor and run the motor the engine control will readjust the timing back to where it wants the timing to be. So most time drop in the distributor get the two bolt andwasher marks close and you will be just fine. 32 mpg sounds like your car is in perfect time to me. Nissan technicians use a Consult 2 device to fix the timing then set the base timing with a timing light. Good Luck

abigail · Answer

1996 Nissan Altima

Shannah · Answer

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Setting ignition timing on 1996 Nissan Altima?
I have a 1996 altima, ka24de, and I recently replaced plugs/wires/cap/rotor as routine maintenance since those had not been changed since I bought the car. I was driving down the road and it came to a dead stop, just shut off all of a sudden. 

So I purchased all the possible suspects - a crank...

Velia · Answer

If it went out while running, there are probably more problems than just the timing chain if its not an overhead cam. But the first thing you will have to do is get the timing cover off and get the timing marks lined up. If it is an overhead cam, there may be a tool to hold it in place while installing the timing chain. And you would do yourself a great favor by purchasing a repair manual if your going to do this yourself. It will guide you through all the proper procedures.

Setting ignition timing on 1996 Nissan Altima?

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