Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
1996 Toyota Avalon XLSFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Ignition Timing
- Start and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Shut engine off. Connect timing light to spark plug wire for No. 1 cylinder. Spark plug wire goes from ignition coil for cylinder No. 4 to cylinder No. 1. Cylinder No. 1 is front cylinder on right side, viewed from flywheel end. See Figure.
- Remove cover and connect scan tester to data link connector No. 3. See Fig 1. Scan tester is used to read engine RPM.
- Apply parking brake. Place transaxle in Neutral. Start engine and maintain engine at 2500 RPM for 90 seconds and allow engine to idle. Ensure idle speed is 650-750 RPM.NOTE: Timing marks are located on front cover.
- Install Jumper Wire (SST 09843-18020) between terminals TE1 and E1 of data link connector No. 1. See Fig 2.
- Ensure base timing is within specification at idle with transaxle in Neutral, and with A/C and all accessories off. See IGNITION TIMINGΒ table.
- Remove jumper wire from data link connector No. 1. Ensure ECM controlled timing is within specification. See IGNITION TIMINGΒ table. Shut engine off. Remove jumper wire, timing light and scan tester.
IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ Idle) (1)
| Application Type | (2) Base Timing | (3) ECM Controlled Timing | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon | 8-12 | 7-24 | ||||||
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Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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