Bought the 89 Sidekick, please help me out

[theskyfadesaway]

So the 'Kick that needed a distributor actually didn't.

All she needed was a new timing belt.
The guy I bought it from actually replaced it for me at no extra charge.

I have her on the road but man is it slow (and I used to drive a Geo Metro)

It seems like after third gear around 40mph there's no more acceleration at all.


Also my rpms fluctuate from 1200 to 600, and sometimes they'll dip so low that she almost stalls out.


I've adjusted to the distributor as best I can, and the timing belt adjustment is next.



I was wondering if anyone could give me any pointers/insight to the ideal position for the distributor and any other symtpoms I should check for.

I've read "Limp home mode" countless times on this forum but I haven't really been able to find out what this means.

I'm still a n00b to Zuke's but I catch on quick.

If anyone could help me out I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks a lot!

[jtgh]

no biggy welcome.
the ecu will run in 3 modes.
normal , all sensors working in harmony
Limp home, something bad is wrong ecu is clueless so it drops to limphome mode
last is fail safe.
fail safe is when the ecu thinks its busted all by self and there is this crude little chip that turns engine into a lawn mower
RPM and TPS, and works from only 2 sensors.

there is far more going on in the ECU then most folks realize.

set timing belt exact. on 89 ,engine is free running so no fear.
then after validating cam timing, then set the ignition timing.
for the latter a jumper wire (freeze ign timing in DLC plug) and a timing light.
my tbelt page shows ever step.
my timing page too.

is your CEL lamp on at key on, and out after running.?

cheers.

[1thatsslow]

id check the timimg on it could be off on the cam would have no power then
just pop off the top cover put on TD and check cam to see its on TD
just takes 10 or 15 min to do that

[jtgh]

Ok, its an 89,
and the dizzy makes spark all by its self.
so if the coil makes spark then the dizzy and coil are good.
next 2 things must happen (to run)
Cam timing
and
dizzy timing.

my timing pages for both cover that.
CAM must be set first because dizzy is down stream from CAM ( see?)

cam. ( tad more than 10min but you need to pull back top of cam cover to see tops marks.
timing belt swap

next is dizzy (click 8v)
How to set ignition timing


CAM,
set crank to TDC 0. (#4 cylinder firing, both valves closed , lash free at gaps (tappets)
if you are on #1 cyl rotate crank,CW, 360 degressmore, bingo #4 firing. (1, 3, 4,2 is firing order)
now remove the top screws from cam cover , bend it back.
so you can see pulley (cog wheel) and top back cover. rear.
the pulley has spokes with a titty on one spoke and a machined notich on the outer rim of cog, see my photos please..
make sure the titty and outer rim notch aligns perfectly with back pan top notch.
BINGO CAM IS PERFECT.
-----------------------------NEXT ---------------------
now that cam is set. lets do dizzy.

go to my link and read it.

set crank to TDC 0 , number #1 firing, valve lash loose on #1
look at the dizzy with cap off. IS rotor pointing to #1,?
exactly or very very close.?
no ? then Bingo bad timing. lets fix it.
if it is just off a tad. start engine and set it exact with a timing light.
if it is off a mile start over with my link above.

that is the whole deal.

4 ways to time a dizzy
only 1 for cam ,

i made a 89 diff page here.

89-differences

enjoy