I was just checking the timing on my 92 SE and it was quite variable. I put my timing light on the loop by the power steering reservior, and pulled the connectors for the AAC and throttle sensor. When I checked the timing the mark on the pulley would jump back and forth on both sides of the timing pointer. It's been my experience that the timing mark usually stays at the same place when the light fires, until you adjust it. Is this bouncing back and forth normal? Or is it an indicator of a timing problem, such as a bad position sensor?

 

what is the car doing that would make you bring out the timing light?

 

I just rebuilt the VTC's and replaced the timing chain tensioners, since one was bad.
The car has a stumble or hesitation on take off from a stop. The rest of the time the car runs fine, but when the car is warmed up and I pull off from a stop, there's a hesitation or two, like it wants to stall, then when the rpm's start to rise it takes off and drives normally.

 

It sounds like you may be a tooth off on the timing. Did you turn the engine over a few times with a ratchet (not running) to see if the timing marks still lined up afterwards? I can't think of anything else that could have went wrong with that install.

 

Yes, I hand turned it around several times, then cranked it with the plugs and ECU fusible link out. There is no interference and I got the cams timed the same as they were. This is a variation in the timing that I'm trying to figure out. It's not that the timing is consistantly off, but that it varies back and forth in the timing light flash.

 

Your car is possessed, immediately pull your new VTC's and send them to me. I will perform an exorcism and then, well, of course I'll have to retrain them for 100k or so, it might take awhile.

 

Can't be evil spirits, I sacrificed a chicken like it said in the FSM.