Engine Controls - Adjustments Dodge Spirit I

ENGINE MECHANICAL

Note. Shadow and Sundance Convertible models with 2.5L TBI engine are manufactured with either early or late design fuel, ignition and emission systems. Late design vehicles use an epoxy ignition mounted on thermostat housing, and a high pressure fuel system requiring quick-connect fuel fittings. Early design vehicles use an oil-filled ignition coil mounted on right inner fender, and a low pressure fuel system using hoses and clamps.

Before performing any on-vehicle adjustments to fuel or ignition systems, ensure engine mechanical condition is okay.

VALVE CLEARANCE

Note. Hydraulic lifters are used. No adjustments are required.

4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING

Note. Ignition timing on 2.2L Turbo engine is computer controlled and is not adjustable.

2.2L TBI, 2.5L TBI & 2.5L TURBO

1. Place gear selector in Neutral. Turn off all lights and accessories. Connect inductive pick-up timing light to No. 1 cylinder.
2. Start and warm engine to normal temperature. Connect tachometer to engine and ensure idle RPM is to specification. Disconnect engine coolant sensor lead wire. Radiator fan should come on, and CHECK ENGINE light on instrument panel should illuminate.
3. Check timing through timing window in bellhousing. If timing is within 2 degrees of specification, DO NOT adjust ignition timing. See 4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING (DEGREES BTDC @ RPM). If timing is not as specified, loosen distributor hold-down bolt, and turn distributor housing until specified timing is obtained.
4. Recheck timing after distributor hold-down bolt has been tightened. Reconnect coolant lead wire. Erase any fault codes. Recheck curb idle and adjust (if necessary). Remove diagnostic equipment.

4-CYLINDER IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)

V6 IGNITION TIMING

Note. Ignition timing on 3.3L and 3.8L engine is computer controlled and is not adjustable.

3.0L

1. Place gear selector in Neutral. Turn off all lights and accessories. Connect inductive pick-up timing light to No. 1 cylinder.
2. Start and warm engine to normal temperature. Connect tachometer to engine and ensure idle RPM is to specification. Disconnect engine coolant sensor lead wire. Radiator fan should come on, and CHECK ENGINE light on instrument panel should illuminate.
3. Check timing at crankshaft pulley. If timing is within 2 degrees of specification, DO NOT adjust ignition timing. See V6 IGNITION TIMING (DEGREES BTDC @ RPM) table. If timing is not as specified, loosen distributor hold-down bolt, and turn distributor housing until specified timing is obtained.

4) Recheck timing after distributor hold-down bolt has been tightened. Reconnect coolant lead wire. Erase any fault codes. Recheck curb idle and adjust (if necessary). Remove diagnostic equipment.

V6 IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ RPM)

IDLE SPEED & MIXTURE

Note. Mixture adjustment is NOT a part of normal tune-up procedure and should not be performed unless mixture control unit is replaced, or vehicle fails emission testing.

MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE (2.2L & 2.5L TBI)

1. Connect Diagnostic Readout Box II (DRB-II) to vehicle. Remove air cleaner assembly. Disconnect and plug heated air door vacuum hose. Ensure engine is at operating temperature.
2. Connect timing light and tachometer to engine. Disconnect engine coolant temperature sensor. Ensure ignition timing is to specification. See IGNITION TIMING it this article. Turn engine off and reconnect coolant temperature sensor.
3. Disconnect PCV hose from intake manifold. Attach Air Metering Fitting (6457) to manifold. Orifice size is .125" (3 mm). Start engine and allow engine to idle for at least one minute.
4. Using DRB-II, access MINIMUM AIRFLOW IDLE SPEED. The AIS motor should fully close, fuel delivery should not change, and idle spark advance should be fixed. Ensure proper RPM is displayed on DRB-II.
5. Check idle RPM (minimum airflow rate) with tachometer. See «4-CYLINDER MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/spirit/i-1988-1995/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-adjustments) . If minimum airflow is not to specification, replace throttle body. If airflow is correct, turn engine off and disconnect all test equipment.

MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE (2.2L TURBO)

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature (cooling fan cycles on and off at least once). Turn engine off. Connect tachometer to engine.
2. Disconnect 3/16" manifold vacuum (idle) purge hose from top of throttle body. Plug 3/16" throttle body nipple. Connect Diagnostic Readout Box II (DRB-II) to vehicle. Start engine and allow to idle for at least one minute.
3. Using DRB-II, access MINIMUM AIRFLOW IDLE SPEED. The AIS motor should fully close and idle spark advance should be fixed. Ensure proper RPM is displayed on DRB-II.
4. Check idle RPM (minimum airflow rate) with tachometer. See «4-CYLINDER MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/spirit/i-1988-1995/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-adjustments) . If minimum airflow is not to specification, replace throttle body. If airflow is correct, turn engine off and disconnect all test equipment.

MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE (2.5L TURBO)

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature (cooling fan cycles on and off at least once). Connect timing light and tachometer to engine. Disconnect engine coolant temperature sensor. Ensure ignition timing is to specification. See IGNITION TIMING in this article.
2. Turn engine off. Disconnect 3/16" manifold vacuum (idle) purge hose from top of throttle body. Plug 3/16" throttle body nipple. Connect Diagnostic Readout Box II (DRB-II) to vehicle. Start engine and allow to idle for at least one minute.
3. Using DRB-II, access MINIMUM AIRFLOW IDLE SPEED. The AIS motor should fully close and idle spark advance should be fixed. Ensure proper RPM is displayed on DRB-II.
4. Check idle RPM (minimum airflow rate) with tachometer. See «4-CYLINDER MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/spirit/i-1988-1995/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-adjustments) . If minimum airflow is not to specification, replace throttle body. If airflow is correct, turn engine off and disconnect all test equipment.

4-CYLINDER MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS

MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE (3.0L)

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature. Turn off all lights and accessories. Connect timing light and tachometer to engine. Disconnect engine coolant temperature sensor. Ensure ignition timing is to specification. See IGNITION TIMING in this article. Turn engine off and reconnect coolant temperature sensor.
2. With engine off, disconnect hose from PCV valve and plug PCV valve nipple. Disconnect idle purge hose from vacuum harness "T". (Scheme 1) Attach Air Metering Fitting (6457) to manifold-mounted idle purge hose. Orifice size is.125" (3 mm). Connect Diagnostic Readout Box II (DRB-II) to vehicle.
3. Start engine and allow to idle for at least one minute. Using DRB-II, access MINIMUM AIRFLOW IDLE SPEED. The AIS motor should fully close and idle spark advance should be fixed. Ensure proper RPM is displayed on DRB-II.
4. Check idle RPM (minimum airflow rate) with tachometer. See «V6 MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/spirit/i-1988-1995/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-adjustments). If minimum airflow is not to specification, replace throttle body. If airflow is correct, turn engine off and disconnect all test equipment.

Scheme 1

MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE (3.3L & 3.8L)

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature. Connect tachometer to engine. Turn engine off. Turn off all lights and accessories. Disconnect PCV hose from intake manifold nipple. Attach Air Metering Fitting (6457) to intake manifold nipple. Orifice size is .125" (3 mm).
2. Disconnect 3/16" idle purge hose from throttle body and plug nipple on throttle body. Connect Diagnostic Readout Box II (DRB-II) to vehicle. Start engine and allow to idle for at least one minute.
3. Using DRB-II, access MINIMUM AIRFLOW IDLE SPEED. The AIS motor should fully close and idle spark advance should be fixed. Ensure proper RPM is displayed on DRB-II.
4. Check minimum airflow. See «V6 MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS»(/dodge/spirit/i-1988-1995/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-adjustments) . If minimum airflow is not to specification, replace throttle body. If airflow is correct, turn engine off and disconnect all test equipment.

V6 MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS

THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

Note. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) is not adjustable. The following procedures may be used to check TPS calibration.

4-CYLINDER THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

1. Turn ignition on; DO NOT start engine. Measure voltage at center terminal of TPS, with throttle valve fully closed against stop. Voltage should be 1.5 volts or less. If voltage is not as specified, replace TPS.
2. Slowly open throttle valve to wide open throttle. TPS voltage should gradually increase to at least 3.4 volts. If voltage is not as described, replace TPS.

V6 THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR

1. Turn ignition on; DO NOT start engine. Measure voltage at center terminal of TPS, with throttle valve fully closed against stop. Voltage should be 1.5 volts or less. If voltage is not as specified, replace TPS.
2. Slowly open throttle valve to wide open throttle. TPS voltage should gradually increase to at least 3.4 volts. If voltage is not as described, replace TPS.

See also:
• 4-CYLINDER MINIMUM AIRFLOW RATE SPECIFICATIONS