Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Performance Out of time and a CEL.

Need some help here guys. Had to change out a timing belt guide today. I can't get the timing dialed in now. When I changed the waterpump when I first got the car, I had trouble with it also. Couldn't get dialed in correctly then either, it has run a little rough since then. But it is complete sh!t right now. Followed the Haynes manual step by step to get it timed right and it's a no-go.

The belt had been changed by the previous owner so there are pre-existing marks on the gears and crankshaft pulley. I went by those before and again today and it's running like sh!t.

I tried starting over from scratch and getting cylinder one to top dead center and the mark on the crankshaft to match the raised lip on the block, wouldn't start, it turned over, but wouldn't start.

And now on top of that, I have a CEL that came on after I got it back together and took it for a spin. Gonna take it to AutoZone in the morning to get the codes.

Any ideas guys? Any advice? Is there any way to dial in the timing?

Thanks in advance.

Beaz
'97 Contour, with another problem.

Have you pulled the valve cover yet? There are notches on the end of the camshafts. Use a wood ruler (or Ford's special tool) and line them up. One way it will be hard to fit the ruler between the head and the notches, the other way it drops right in (the right way).

Yep, did that. Used a piece of angle iron.

Beaz
'97 Contour

K, good. It sounded like you hadn't yet. The shop that did my timing belt aligned the cams without pulling the cover. They missed the exhaust cam by a whole tooth.

There are two notches on my crank pulley. I went out and took a look to see if I could remember which one was the one I used for TDC. It was too long ago and changing the w/p wasn't a memory I was trying to keep.

did you check top dead in the cylinder or just by the marks? if just by the marks try with the eraser end of a pencil or smothing long that wont scracth any thing feel when its there. it may be off the mark.

I use a 6" traveling dial indicator mounted down into #1 spark plug hole.

Here's the code : P1351 - IDM Input Circuit Malfunction

Anyone know what that is?

Beaz
'97 Contour

IDM stands for Ignition Diagnostic Monitor.

No, I'm afraid I still don't know what it is...

Just wanted to drop a quick thank you to all of you. Got her back in time this morning, reset the cpu and no more CEL. Must have been related to the timing be so far off. She is running like a champ now. Thanks again.

Beaz
'97 Contour