# Can't check timing

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [May 6, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131 "2009-05-06T18:52:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jims85montess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@jims85montess](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jims85montess)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131/1 "2009-05-06T18:52:31Z")

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I have a 1994 Chevy K1500 with a 5.7 engine. I tried to check the ignition timing but when I disconnect the 2 wire connector from the distributor the engine will not start. It just turns over but has no spark. Any ideas? Thanks for any ideas.

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**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131/2 "2009-05-06T19:21:30Z")

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Hook the distributor back up and use a simple inductive pick-up timing light…If there is a vacuum advance, disconnect it.

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**Author:** ![jims85montess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@jims85montess](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jims85montess)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131/3 "2009-05-06T19:26:02Z")

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If I do that then the computer will have the timing advanced when it idles. It doesn’t have a vacuum advance, it’s controlled by the computer.

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**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 7:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131/4 "2009-05-06T19:40:28Z")

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To adjust the timing on your engine, insert a jumper wire between the A and B terminals in the ALDL connector below the steering column. This puts the computer in the base timing mode.

Tester

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**Author:** ![jims85montess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce7236/32.png) [@jims85montess](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jims85montess)\
**Post date:** [May 6, 2009, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/cant-check-timing/30131/5 "2009-05-06T20:21:20Z")

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Thank you. I will try that.