Adjustment of the ignition advance angle (moment) (VW Golf 2)

To check and adjust the ignition timing, you need a tachometer and a stroboscope, while the oil temperature on a carburetor engine is +60°C, and on engines with injection systems +80°C.

Attention! Connect and disconnect measuring instruments only when the ignition is off.

Disconnect the crankcase ventilation hose at the air cleaner and route it so that only outside air is sucked in.

Turn off all electrical consumers. To prevent the radiator fan from turning on during testing and adjustment, disconnect the fan motor connector or remove fuse #1.

Attention! On engines with indexes HK, HW, MH, 2G, HY with carburetor 2E3, it is necessary to turn on high beam during inspection and adjustment. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the carburetor throttle lever is adjacent to the adjustment sector.

Connect the stroboscope and tachometer in accordance with the operating instructions.

Check and, if necessary, adjust the engine idle speed.

Disconnect and close the vacuum hose of the vacuum box on the ignition distributor.

Start the engine and let it idle. If necessary, increase the engine speed with the accelerator to no more than 1000 rpm. Illuminate the ignition timing mark with a stroboscope.

Compare the obtained ignition timing value with the data in Table 7.

The ignition is adjusted correctly if, when illuminated by a stroboscope, the ignition timing mark on the crankshaft pulley coincides with the reference mark (figure 165).



If the ignition timing marks do not match, loosen the three distributor mounting bolts slightly and turn the distributor until the marks match.



Tighten the mounting bolts and recheck the ignition timing.

After this, mark the position of the ignition distributor on the cylinder head with paint or a center punch.

Disconnect measuring instruments, connect vacuum hose.

Attention! After connecting the vacuum hose, the ignition timing angle shifts to 15-22 degrees before TDC.

Cars manufactured before August 1985: if the ignition timing mark does not stay in place when illuminated by a strobe light, the reason for this may be:

• lack of lubrication of the slider on the breaker lever;
• presence of play in the breaker; compare it with the new breaker.

Table 7. Ignition advance angle (moment)

1 If necessary, the reduction in engine speed should be compensated for by using the accelerator to 900 rpm.
2 Oxygen sensor is not connected.
3 Since July 1989 - 9S0-1000 rpm.