OK, where's the stupid crank angle sensor on a 1995 4g63?

I can see a metal half ring behind the intake cam, but it doesn't look adjustable. I'm pretty sure my timing is off because under ECU control, it is perfect at +8. But with the timing pin grounded, it drops to +1... it should be +5. I've been having problems with detonation while under vacuum at part throttle and really rich smelling exhaust. Everything is pretty much stock.

Also, is it ok to check the timing marks from the engine compartment, looking down toward the top of the crank pulley? Or should I remove the splash guard and check it looking horizontally at the timing marks?

Crank angle sensors are at the crank. Cam angle sensors are on the intake cam. I think 95-96 cars only have a crank angle sensor, and the 97+ cars have a cam and crank angle sensor. I think that is right, but I may be mistaken. You can tell if you have a cam angle sensor by looking at the passenger side of the valve cover. There should be a circular shaped thing there on the end of the cam that bolts to the head with 2 screws. If you have that, you have a cam angle sensor. If you have a triangular shaped thing instead, you have a crank angle sensor.


You check the timing by looking in the engine bay. It is designed that way

Well there's no cam angle sensor on it like my 1G had. That was easy to adjust. The 1995 simply has nothing there. There's no triangle or anything. The cam gears on one side, and a halfmoon seal on the other side.

So you get under the car and adjust the crank angle sensor to change the base timing on these things? That seems odd.

... time to pore over the FSM.

Ok, it DOES have a camshaft sensor, and it IS behind the intake cam. The non-adjustable plate I was looking at was the trigger wheel. Apparently I have to remove the entire timing belt cover to adjust the timing.