update:
checked for voltage between the two outer terminals on the distributor plug, there is 5 volts. l see that there has been a couple posts on different boards where people thought that you should have at least 10 volts between these terminals. My bently manual says that on the 4 cyl you should have at least 5 volts and on the 6 cyl you should have at least 10 volts. Being that this is a 4 cyl car, I assume that the voltage I have is correct. I checked for continuity between the two outer terminals on the distributor and there was none. I took this to mean that I need a new distributor so I swapped it out with one that was in another car that I know has no problems. Cleared the code and after the second start the light came back on, same code. So, I guess that the distributor was fine. I didn't have any more time to mess around with it and wont till the weekend. I have heard that having the timing off can throw that code. The timing belt was replaced by another shop shortly before I bought the car. I guess I will put #1 cyl at tdc compression and see if the rotor is pointing at terminal #1 on the cap. This will tell me whether they lined the marks up right on the intermediate shaft when the replaced the timing belt.