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Steve, Service Manager

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1994 dodge dakota: 3.9 engine

after i remove the
distributor..tdc…
hello on a 1994 dodge dakota 3.9 engine after i
remove the distributor and put it back on tdc do i
use a timeing light and make sure its on that
timeing mark

Steve
Verified service manager

Hello!

Ignition timing on your engine is not adjustable;

spark timing is calculated by the powertrain
control module. IF you rotate the distributor it will
not change timing; the computer compensates
for the rotation and changes timing back to
where it wants it to be. Therefore, a timing light
cannot be used to adjust the distributor on this
model.

What IS affected by distributor movement is fuel

injector synchronization; if the distributor is not
adjusted correctly the engien will tend to busk or
surge at higher speeds because teh injectors are
firing at the wrong time. To correctly adjust the
distributor requires use of a DRB-III or equivalent
scan tool; you may wish to take the truck in to a
shop to have them adjust the distributor. With the
right scan equipment it is a very quick and easy
process that takes about 10 minutes.

If you do not want to pay someone $15 or $20 to

adjust it for you, there is a manual method using
a voltmeter. Here is the manual distributor sync
procedure as provided by Chrysler:

_________________________

1. Connect a voltmeter to the distributor sensor

connector by removing the end seal and carefully
back probing the connector. Connect the positive
lead to the sensor output pin (pin 3, either a tan
wire with a yellow tracer or a gray wire,
depending on vehicle application). Connect the
negative lead to the sensor ground pin (pin 2, a
black wire with a light blue tracer).
2. Rotate the engine clockwise as viewed from
the front, until the number one piston is at Top
Dead Center (TDC) of the compression stroke.
The timing mark on the vibration damper should
line up with the zero degree (TDC) mark on the
timing chain case cover.
3. Continue to rotate the engine slowly clockwise
until the V6 or V8 mark (depending on engine
type) lines up with the zero degree (TDC) mark on
the timing chain case cover. The V8 mark is
17.5°after TDC and the V6 mark is 147°after
TDC. NOTE: DO NOT ROTATE THE ENGINE
COUNTER CLOCKWISE. IF THE ENGINE IS
ROTATED BEYOND THE MARK, RETURN TO
STEP 2 AND REPEAT THE PROCEDURE.
4. Loosen the distributor clamp bolt.
5. With the ignition switch in the ON position,
rotate the distributor slightly in either direction
until the voltmeter switches between the sensor
transition point of 0 and 5 volts.
6. Adjust the distributor as close as possible to
either side of this transition point and tighten the
distributor clamp bolt to 19-26 N-m (170-230
in.lbs.) .
________________________________

I hope this is helpful; if so, please click my accept

button! Thanks!

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