Sea-doo Challenger 5896 Shop Manual Download

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Section 08

ELECTRICAL

Sub-Section 03

(IGNITION SYSTEM)

08-03-16

Ignition Timing Adjustment

Since the trigger coil on this engine is fixed and
not movable to correct the ignition timing, the
MPEM programmer (P / N 295 000 127) is now
used to set the timing when an adjustment is re-
quired. The programmer will act as if you were
moving the trigger coil to advance or retard the
ignition timing.

Through the MPEM programmer, the ignition tim-
ing can be advanced up to 3

or retarded up to 4

If the timing is adjusted too retarded, a perfor-
mance decrease of the engine will be noticed. If
the timing is adjusted too advanced, serious en-
gine damage will occur.

CAUTION :

If the ignition timing is adjust-

ed too advanced, this will cause serious

damage to the engine.

THE TIMING CORRECTION CHART

The timing marks refer to the physical component
position when the spark must occur. The DC-CDI
module must be synchronized with these marks.
The timing correction just do that. For instance, on
a particular engine, the timing correction may
need to be advanced to 2

so that the marks align.

This is not the real spark advance, just a correction
for the tolerances of the mechanical components.

A timing light is still used to check the marks align-
ment. If the marks are found aligned, the ignition
timing is correct and no further action is required.

If the marks are found misaligned, the ignition tim-
ing must be corrected. When using the program-
mer, it will give you the actual correction number
that is programmed inside the MPEM. Referring
to the chart below, find the corresponding degree
and if the correction was made to advance or re-
tard the timing.

Knowing that, you select the higher or lower num-
ber to advance or retard the actual timing correc-
tion by referring to the chart.

Examples :

a. You found the flywheel mark advanced. You

must retard the timing.

– The programmer gives you the number 3. Re-

ferring to the chart, number 3 returns 2

. The

timing correction is actually set at 2

(advanced)

and this is too much.

– You estimate the correction should be set to 1

(advanced) to retard flywheel mark so that the
timing marks align. Back in the chart, look to
find 1

(advanced). This gives number 4. Enter

this number with the programmer.

– You recheck the marks with the timing light and

they are now aligned. The adjustment is fin-
ished.

b. You found the flywheel mark advanced. You

must retard the timing.

– The programmer gives you the number 3. Re-

ferring to the chart, number 3 returns 2

. The

timing correction is actually set at 2

(advanced)

and this is too much.

– You estimate the correction should be set to 1

(advanced) to retard flywheel mark so that the
timing marks align. Back in the chart, look to
find 1

(advanced). This gives number 4. Enter

this number with the programmer.

TIMING CORRECTION CHART

Advanced

Retarded

Number from the programmer
(read from MPEM)

Correction of ignition timing in
degrees

-1

-2

-3

-4

Simply put, you just have to change the number the programmer gave to have the timing marks aligned.
If the flywheel mark goes in the bad direction after you tried the neighbor value given by the program-
mer, try the other neighbor value to move the mark in the opposite direction. E.g.: the programmer gave
no. 3. You tried no. 4 and the flywheel mark moved in the wrong direction, try the no. 2.