Adjusting Distributor With Car Off

[Kev1990]

Hello I just wanted to know I it safe to adjust distributor with the car off then reset the ECU? Will it still make the adjustments with the car off or could it just mess things up?

[illinois_erik]

yeah you can, setting it in the middle of the swing should get you close enough and the ecu will adjust from there. I used a light and everything after a timing belt and it was just a hair to the front from dead center.

[johnl]

Hello I just wanted to know I it safe to adjust distributor with the car off then reset the ECU? Will it still make the adjustments with the car off or could it just mess things up?

It's good enough to allow the engine to be safely started, but won't guarantee correct ignition timing. Next step should be to 'hot-wire' the diagnostic port (blue plastic electrical connector under the dash) with a piece of wire and set the base timing with a timing light.