'02 496 Mag HO Timing

[FuelishBehavior]

I'm in the process of ordering the Diacom software for my lap top to help me diagnose a TPS / IAC issue on my port engine. One of the things that I've read is to check the timing (with a timing light) and not the PC/Software. That being said, how do you adjust the timing on these computer engines if it's off some? I'm old school and these are my first fuel injected engines without distributors. I assume the software will let me toggle advance or retard as needed? Is this correct?

 

[scoflaw]

Unless the timing has been disturbed, the chance of it being off is slim to none. You get it close and the computer does the rest

 

[Fun Times]

The 496 is 100% non adjustable for ignition timing nor is checking this engine model via a timing light to the balancer as there is nothing on the front cover to base a line to...https://www.ebay.com/itm/MerCruiser...ash=item258cd104a0:g:kFkAAOSwYxBZ7OfU&vxp=mtr

The scanner tool you're buying will allow you to read where the timing advances are at as you go through the RPM changes....This is all done/read from starting at the Crankshaft sensor reading the reluctor wheel mounted on the front of the crankshaft....A general image for you below,

^ Also you have a Camshaft sensor doing the same thing as the Crank sensor.

Do you by chance recall where you read to use a timing light?

 

[FuelishBehavior]

I have not even tried yet. I was just curious on how this is done. I will take your word for it. I just had read in another thread that you need to check the timing first and reset as necessary and it really didn't make much sense to me on how it was done. Your response clears that up completely. Now I'm off to figure out why my port engine is giving me a beeping alarm at idle and the throttle response is eratic until you hit about mid-throttle and it sometimes idles funny. I'm thinking IAC since the TPS is new. Guess this should go to a new thread. Thanks for the help!