Help me, ka24de issue, timing off???

[glacier985]

97 with stock KA24de

So I recently changed my distributor to get my car running it. I installed it by setting the motor at TDC and then putting in the new one. Car was running alright, I set the timing at 20 BTDC. I noticed while driving it that it would hesitate below 2.3-2.5k rpm if given about half a pedal to the floor or more. Today I finally got time to try and re-time it. What a mistake that was, now I cannot get the car to run correctly again. Even setting it back at TDC for cylinder #1 and then setting the rotor to cylinder #1 doesn't even get the car to run. I can get it close, but it either starts revving up all by itself or idles really rough. I'm not sure where to go from here, I spent an hour or two moving the distributor one tooth at a time, but nothing worked. Only thing I can think of is with all this re-timing I've been doing I have the distributor so far out of time from the timing chains, if thats even possible. Just looking for any ideas on where to go.

[NismoDriverS13]

How sure are you that you are at the TDC and #1 cylinder with the intake valves open? You could be on exhaust or another cylinder. That would cause the car run like dookie...there could be a few different factors also like your spark plugs and spark plug wires. Why did you need to switch the distributor if everything was running fine?

Take your time and check through everything, step by step. Good luck

[NismoDriverS13]

You said that you put the engine on TDC but was it also on #1 cylinder? After installing the distributor, did you check the btdc with timing light and rotated the distributor as needed?

[glacier985]

Just an update in case someone searches and finds this thread.

This weekend I took the valve cover off and lined everything up at TDC, first put the crank pulley in the right spot to line up with the pin on the timing cover. Verified that cylinder #1 cam lobes where pointing away from each other and that the gear marks were in the correct locations. Then I pulled the distributor out and put in back in checking that the dimple in the gear lined up with the mark on the shaft. Once that was done I put the valve cover back on and fired her up. Still ran like shit :(

I decided to start unplugging sensors that could screw the timing and/or idle. First the TPS plugs (which I did unplug to adjust the timing). Same issue, ran crappy or revved up. Next I unplugged the Coolant Temperature Sensor. Turned the key and it ran without issue. So that is where I'm am currently. I have picked up a new sensor and hoping my issues are fully resolved.

[bmaddock]

Nice! update us on whether that helps or not. Have you checked for codes at the ECU?