Engine Controls - Adjustments - 4-CYL: Other Ford Probe II

ENGINE MECHANICAL

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

VALVE CLEARANCE

Note. Remove valve cover(s) before performing valve adjustment. See appropriate ENGINES article in THE ENGINES section below for removal and installation procedures.

1. «1.8L 4-CYL - VIN [8]»(ref-22873) (for Escort & Tracer)
2. «1.9L 4-CYL - VIN [J]»(ref-22874) (for Escort & Tracer)
3. «2.0L 4-CYL - VIN [A]»(ref-22875) (for Probe)
4. «2.3L 4-CYL HSC - VIN [X]»(ref-22876) (for Tempo & Topaz)

IGNITION TIMING

Note. Ignition timing is not adjustable on models with distributorless ignition systems.

1.8L

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature, all accessories are off, and transmission is in Park or Neutral. Set parking brake. Ensure idle speed is correct.
2. Connect timing light to No. 1 spark plug wire. Use jumper wire to connect Data Link Connector (DLC) STI terminal to GND terminal. (Scheme 2) Start engine. Check base ignition timing. See BASE IGNITION TIMING table.
3. If timing is not to specification, loosen distributor hold-down bolt. Adjust timing as necessary. Turn engine off. Remove jumper wire from DLC terminals. Start engine. Ensure advance mechanism is functioning correctly.

Scheme 2

2.0L & 2.3L

1. Ensure engine is at operating temperature, all accessories are off, and transmission is in Park or Neutral. Set parking brake. Ensure idle speed is correct.
2. Connect timing light to No. 1 spark plug wire. Remove shorting bar from double wire Spark Output (SPOUT) connector. Shorting bar is located near distributor in wiring harness to Ignition Control Module (ICM). Start engine. Check base ignition timing. See BASE IGNITION TIMING table.
3. If timing is not correct, loosen distributor hold-down bolt. Adjust timing as necessary. Turn engine off. Install shorting bar in double wire SPOUT connector. Start engine. Check computed ignition timing. Computed ignition timing should be advanced beyond base timing.

BASE IGNITION TIMING

1. Place transaxle in Park or Neutral. Turn all accessories off. Connect tachometer to engine. Start engine and warm to normal operating temperature. Using jumper wire, connect Data Link Connector (DLC) terminals STI and GND. (Scheme 3)
2. Ensure cooling fan is not running. Check and adjust base timing if necessary. Observe tachometer. If idle speed is not correct, locate idle adjustment screw on throttle body.
3. Turn idle adjustment screw to adjust idle speed to specification. See IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS table. After adjustment is complete, remove jumper wire from DLC.

Scheme 3

IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS

1.9L

Idle speed is not adjustable. If engine idle is not 730-830 RPM, check for contaminated fuel, vacuum leaks and correct ignition timing. Ensure throttle bore, EGR system and PCV system are clean. If these are okay, see TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (1.9L) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section for additional procedures.

2.0L

1. Set parking brake. Place transaxle in Park or Neutral. Turn all accessories off. Connect tachometer to engine. Ensure engine is warmed to normal operating temperature.
2. Start engine, and raise speed to 2500 RPM for 30 seconds. Allow engine to return to idle speed. Ensure cooling fan is not running. Check and adjust base timing if necessary.
3. If idle speed is not correct, locate idle air trim screw on IAC BPA valve. (Scheme 4) Turn idle adjustment screw to adjust idle speed to specification. See IDLE SPEED SPECIFICATIONS table.

Scheme 4

Scheme 5

1. Connect Super Star II scan tool to diagnostic connector. Enter KOER self-test. See «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (2.3L)»(ref-22881) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section. After Code 11 or 111 has been displayed, unlatch and then, within 4 seconds, latch STI button. A single pulse code indicates that entry mode has been successfully entered.
2. Observe scan tool readout. If a constant tone, solid light or STO LO is displayed, base idle speed is within range and no adjustment is necessary. Unlatch STI button to exit self-test.
3. If a beeping tone, flashing light or STO LO at 8 Hz is displayed, Throttle Position (TP) sensor is out of range and should be checked. See THROTTLE POSITION (TP) SENSOR. Repeat KOER self-test.
4. If a beeping tone, flashing light or STO LO at 4 Hz is displayed, base idle speed is too high. Go to step 6). If a beeping tone, flashing lighter STO LO at one Hz is displayed, base idle speed is too low. Go to next step.
5. DO NOT clean throttle bore. Check throttle plate for presence of throttle plate orifice plug. (Scheme 5) If plug does not exist, turn idle adjusting screw clockwise only to adjust idle speed until conditions in step 2) are obtained. If plug from previous service exists, remove it and turn screw to obtain conditions in step 2). After adjustment is complete, ensure screw contacts lever pad.
6. Turn engine off. Using tape, block off orifice in throttle plate. (Scheme 5) If orifice is already plugged, go to step 9).
7. On mass airflow engines, reconnect air cleaner hose. On all models, restart engine, and check idle speed. If engine stalls, crack throttle plate open using throttle plate stop screw. (Scheme 6) If idle speed is still too high as described in step 4), go to next step. If idle speed drops to specification or less as described in steps 2) and 4), go to step 9).
8. Perform KOEO self-test. Refer to appropriate «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (2.3L)»(ref-22881) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section. Check for fault codes, especially TP sensor fault code. If fault codes are present, repair as necessary. If TP sensor fault code is present, check for proper TP sensor output. See THROTTLE POSITION (TP) SENSOR. Ensure adjustment screw contacts lever pad. If no fault codes are present, see «TESTS W/O CODES - EEC-IV (2.3L)»(ref-22882) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section.
9. Turn ignition off. Remove air cleaner hose, and remove tape covering throttle plate orifice. Select correct color plug for orifice. Plugs are available in Throttle Plate Plug Kit (FOPZ-9F652-A).
10. Reconnect air cleaner hose, and start engine. Recheck idle speed. If idle speed is not within specification, turn adjusting screw clockwise until condition in step 2) is obtained. After adjustment, screw must contact lever pad.
11. Perform KOEO self-test to ensure TP sensor fault code is not present. See «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (2.3L)»(ref-22881) article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section. Move throttle plate to ensure it is not stuck in bore and linkage is not keeping throttle from closing. On models with automatic overdrive transmissions, check throttle valve pressure adjustment.

Note. If electric cooling fan comes on, discontinue testing until fan goes off.

Scheme 6

Except 1.8L

Information for TP sensor adjustment is not available. Ensure TP sensor is properly installed. See THROTTLE POSITION (TP) SENSOR under FUEL SYSTEM in REMOVE/INSTALL/OVERHAUL article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section. If additional test procedures are required, see appropriate article in the ENGINE PERFORMANCE section

1. «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (1.9L)»(ref-22879) (for Escort & Tracer)
2. «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (2.0L)»(ref-22880) (for Probe)
3. «TESTS W/CODES - EEC-IV (2.3L)»(ref-22881) (for Tempo & Topaz)

1.8L A/T

1. Turn ignition off. Remove TP sensor connector. Loosen TP sensor mounting screws. Install a 0.010" (.25 mm) feeler gauge between throttle plate stop screw and throttle lever. (Scheme 6) Connect ohmmeter leads to terminals "E" and IDL. (Scheme 7)
2. Rotate TP sensor clockwise about 30 degrees. Rotate TP sensor counterclockwise until continuity is present.
3. Remove 0.010" (.25 mm) feeler gauge and install a.016" (.40 mm) feeler gauge between throttle plate stop screw and throttle lever. Continuity should not be present. If continuity is present, repeat steps 1) and 2).
4. If continuity is not present, tighten TP sensor mounting screws. Cycle throttle to wide open position several times. Connect ohmmeter leads to TP sensor terminals "E" and VT. Resistance should be about 5000 ohms. Replace TP sensor if continuity is not as specified.

Scheme 7

1.8L M/T

1. Turn ignition off. Remove TP sensor connector. Install a 0.016" (.40 mm) feeler gauge between throttle plate stop screw and throttle lever. (Scheme 6)
2. Connect ohmmeter leads to terminals "E" and IDL. (Scheme 8) Loosen TP sensor mounting screws. Rotate TP sensor clockwise about 30 degrees. Rotate TP sensor counterclockwise until continuity is present.
3. Remove 0.016" (.40 mm) feeler gauge and install a.027" (.70 mm) feeler gauge between throttle plate stop screw and throttle lever. Continuity should not be present. If continuity is present, repeat steps 1) and 2). If continuity is still present, replace TP sensor.

Scheme 8