Setting the timing on your Honda Civic should be done along with a tune-up to get the best performance out of your car. This procedure will compensate for wear on components such as the distributor drive gear and timing belt as well as restore accurate timing control through the on-board computer. The average home mechanic can complete this project in just a few minutes with basic hand tools and a timing light. Timing lights are available at your local auto parts store.
Start the engine and allow it to run until it reaches normal operating temperature. This puts the engine into closed loop operation and allows for the setting of the base timing. Turn the engine off when normal temperature is reached.
Locate the timing connector. On the Honda Civic, it will be a blue-colored, two-wire connector under the passenger side of the dash behind the glove box. Two connectors will be sticking out of the wiring harness just above the carpet. The one you need is the two-wire connector. Use a small piece of wire to connect both wires in the connector together.
Loosen the three distributor hold-down bolts slightly to allow the distributor to turn but not pull out of the engine. Clean the timing marks on the crankshaft pulley and the timing cover so they can easily be seen.
Connect the two battery clips on the timing light to the battery and attach the trigger lead to the number one spark plug wire. The number one plug wire is the one closest to the front of the engine. Start the engine.
Aim the timing light at the timing marks and squeeze the trigger on the light. Turn the distributor, while watching the marks, until the middle mark on the crankshaft pulley lines up with the center on the pointer on the timing cover. This is base timing and is set to 16 degrees before top dead center. Tighten the distributor bolts and turn off the engine. Remove the wire from the timing connector and tuck the connector back under the dash. Test-drive to verify the engine runs correctly.
