2.3L ('83-'97) 1985 2.3L Ignition timing issue

[Kc7nwi]

Engine starts ok, but as soon as I get on the gas and let back off it starts shaking. I checked the timing and found it advanced to around 30°btdc. The timing stays there until the engine warms up. Engine runs great after warming up and timing sets right at 10°btdc at idle. Distributor with all electronics, cap, rotor, spark plug & wires have been replaced. Any ideas?

 

[scotts90ranger]

There should be a SPOUT plug somewhere near the distributor, pull that and it should eliminate any spark stabilizing in the computer, on the emissions sticker under the hood there should be a spark timing value, this should be set at idle by turning the distributor.

I would start there, it sounds like it is off.

 

[Kc7nwi]

What color are the wires going to the SPOUT connector, so I can be sure I'm pulling the right jumper. You Tube shows the SPOUT over by the air cleaner.

 

[RonD]

Should be Yellow/dark green stripe wires IN and OUT on the 1983-1988 SPOUT connector

 

[tomw]

The SPOUT jumper plug is on the drivers side, sticking out of the fat plastic-covered loom leading from the inner fender to the engine. It should be pretty close to the dipstick.
Pull the SPOUT jumper plug, and check ignition timing, engine running at idle. Set to 10BTDC. Turn off the engine, and re-connect the jumper. With the SPOUT removed, the computer uses static distributor timing, with no input from the computer at all.
tom

 

[golley]

85 2.3l without SPOUT. underhood label says "disconnect single black wire near distributor".
all the factory manual shows is v6 set timing connector. any answers? thanks, J
(btw, TFI connector was replaced in past).
can somepost a pic?

 

[tomw]

Do you have EFI/EEC-IV on your Ranger? If your distributor has a vacuum advance diaphragm, you don't have EEC-IV and likely don't have EFI.
The EFI systems had a wire sticking out of the protector as described before, with a jumper socket and plug that could be removed to disconnect the SPOUT signal.
To my knowledge, a 'single black wire near the distributor' does not apply, though the wire involved is a single wire.
Can YOU post a pic of what you have underhood, looking from the fender towards the distributor and intake, including the fat loom of wires leading from the inner fender towards the intake.
tom

 

[golley]

oh no no, it's EFI (i'm an old fart, wouldn't even need a manual for points) this is 2.3l before coil packs. you can see in one pic where the 6 pin distributor connector was cut/replaced.

 

[golley]

the "..single black wire.." is a quote right off the underhood sticker. yesterday i adjusted time by ear/eye/road test; it runs better but not just exactly how it should, i think.
And hey! Thanks for the reply.