Tan distributor bypass wire

[Cudabob]

What does this wire activate?My car (88)runs ok with this wire unplugged,but wont idle and it pops in the intake and exhuast and generally runs like crap when this wire is plugged in.

 

[gmjunkie]

What does this wire activate?My car (88)runs ok with this wire unplugged,but wont idle and it pops in the intake and exhuast and generally runs like crap when this wire is plugged in.

On 85-91 models it bypasses the electronic spark timing so you can set the timing at 0* TDC with a timing light!!
Then you plug it back in and the ECM does the rest!!
Either someone has been screwing with the timing trying to get more Ump out of it,timing chain has jumped and they set it so it would at least run,or they just didn't know what the heck they were doing!!

 

[Cudabob]

On 85-91 models it bypasses the electronic spark timing so you can set the timing at 0* TDC with a timing light!!
Then you plug it back in and the ECM does the rest!!
Either someone has been screwing with the timing trying to get more Ump out of it,timing chain has jumped and they set it so it would at least run,or they just didn't know what the heck they were doing!!

The sticker on the rad support says to set timming at 6 deg,which I did,but when I plug the bypass back in the car runs like crap.

 

[vetteboy86]

Did you check the timing with the Tan wire plugged back in?

 

[aklim]

On 85-91 models it bypasses the electronic spark timing so you can set the timing at 0* TDC with a timing light!!
Then you plug it back in and the ECM does the rest!!
Either someone has been screwing with the timing trying to get more Ump out of it,timing chain has jumped and they set it so it would at least run,or they just didn't know what the heck they were doing!!

You sure it is set at 0 with the wire off? I thought it was 6 with the wire off

 

[aklim]

The sticker on the rad support says to set timming at 6 deg,which I did,but when I plug the bypass back in the car runs like crap.

Asuming you took off the right wire, and I can't say because I am not there, you should see a difference in the timing. Check timing with it on and it should be at whatever and with it off, it should be at 6 and with it back on, it should move around and settle somewhere.

 

[gmjunkie]

The sticker on the rad support says to set timming at 6 deg,which I did,but when I plug the bypass back in the car runs like crap.

Yeah,Sorry I looked at the wrong line in my book!
By all means go by the emissions sticker if it still has one!!

 

[Shadoweffect]

My wire has disappered, I have checked all around the rear of the engine bay as per all information sourced, I can find where the 4 way connector leaves the distributor and enters the wiring harness and thats it. Did they hide it any where else on an 85 vette. Cheers