Timing Advance

Lately, for the last 2-3 weeks I have been getting a few random cylinder misfire codes P0300. I have an ODBII engine scanner that I got from scantool.net that shows engine information. The only odd thing I am seeing with it is that my advance timing at idle is around -20.0 and at higher RPM goes all the way to -38.0, what could be causing this?

Flat top dist or old style?
Is the timing readings from scanner?
If you have miss fire codes fix them first and see what it does.

What year and engine and mileage.
Is the timing readings from scanner?
If you have miss fire codes fix them first and see what it does.


1996, with 160,000, but engine was rebuilt last year, new plugs, wires, cap, rotor with the rebuild. Flat top dist. Yes, timing readings is from the scanner. At this point I am not sure what is causing the misfires, I did replace the coil, the old one was arcing, it did help some but misfire codes still come up, just less often.

It really sounds like the scanner is readng backwards or neg for positive.
If a flat top dist ign you can not adj timing but the camshaft retard needs checked or set.
See if the scanner will give you a camshsft retard reading.
Put a timing light on it and see if timing is advancing instead of retarding when you speed it up.

It really sounds like the scanner is readng backwards or neg for positive.
If a flat top dist ign you can not adj timing but the camshaft retard needs checked or set.
See if the scanner will give you a camshsft retard reading.
Put a timing light on it and see if timing is advancing instead of retarding when you speed it up.


I think you are right on the timing reading backwards. Seems the software does not give me camshaft retard setting, i'm using scantool.net 1.13 software:

http://www.scantool.net/?mode=displaySoftware&software_id=39&category=ScanTool.net

going to check cap and wires, they are fairly new but still could be problem.

If cap and wires does not help it would be a good idea to find a scanner that will read the camshaft retard and all codes.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

If cap and wires does not help it would be a good idea to find a scanner that will read the camshaft retard and all codes.
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.



Does anyone know a software package that I can run on my laptop that will read "camshaft retard offset", it seems my current software can read about everything but that.

Looks like problem was bad plug wire, running great now! Thanks to all for the help!

You are welcome and .
Thanks for posting back how it went.
Glad you got it fixed.
But it would still be a good idea to check the camshaft retard setting on it.
Sorta of a fine tune on the dist.
MT