Ignition Timing: V6: Avalon

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 10 other vehicles, including the 2003 Toyota Tundra, 2003 Toyota Tacoma, 2003 Toyota Sienna, 2003 Toyota Sequoia, and 2003 Toyota Land Cruiser. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

If a scan tool is available, go to next step. If scan tool is not available, see Fig 4.
Remove intake manifold cover. Start engine and warm engine to normal operating temperature. Shut engine off.
Connect timing light lead to lead wire located near ignition coil on top of front valve cover. See Fig 1. Connect Toyota hand held tester or scan tool to data link connector No. 3 at driver's side of instrument panel. See Fig 2. Hand-held tester or scan tool is used to read engine RPM.
Apply parking brake. Place transaxle in Neutral. Start engine and maintain engine at 2500 RPM for 90 seconds and then allow engine to idle. Ensure idle speed is 600-700 RPM.
Install Jumper Wire (SST 09843-18020) between terminals TEI and E1 on data link connector No. 1. See Fig 3. Data link connector No. 1 is located on end of air intake chamber at passenger's side of engine.
Check ignition timing with engine idling. Timing marks are located on timing belt cover, near crankshaft pulley. Ensure base timing is within specification at idle with transaxle in Neutral, and with A/C and all accessories off. See V6 IGNITION TIMING table.
Remove jumper wire from data link connector No. 1. Ensure ECM controlled timing is within specification. See V6 IGNITION TIMING table. Shut engine off. Remove timing light and hand-held tester or scan tool. Reinstall intake manifold cover.

V6 IGNITION TIMING (Degrees BTDC @ Idle) ⁽¹⁾

Application

Base Timing

ECM Controlled Timing

Avalon

⁽²⁾ 8-12

⁽³⁾ 10-25

Camry

⁽⁴⁾ 8-12

⁽⁵⁾ 7-25

Camry Solara

⁽⁶⁾ 8-12

⁽³⁾ 7-24

Highlander

⁽⁴⁾ 8-12

⁽⁵⁾ 7-24

Sienna

⁽⁶⁾ 8-12

⁽³⁾ 7-24

Tacoma

⁽⁴⁾ 8-12

⁽⁵⁾ 3-19

Tundra

⁽⁴⁾ 8-12

⁽⁵⁾ 12.5-22

4Runner

⁽⁶⁾ 8-12

⁽³⁾ 7-24

⁽¹⁾	Check with engine at normal operating temperature, transmission/transaxle in Neutral, parking brake applied, and A/C and all accessories off.

⁽²⁾	With Jumper Wire (SST 09843-18020 or SST 09843-18040) installed between terminals TE1 and E1 on data link connector No. 1.

⁽³⁾	With jumper wire removed from data link connector No. 1.

⁽⁴⁾	With Jumper Wire (SST 09843-18020 or SST 09843-18040) installed between terminals No. 4 (CG) and 13 (TC) on data link connector No. 3.

⁽⁵⁾	With jumper wire removed from data link connector No. 3.

⁽⁶⁾	With Jumper Wire (SST 09843-18020 or SST 09843-18040) installed between terminals E1 and TC on data link connector No. 1.

Fig 1: Connecting Timing Light (Avalon & Sienna)

Fig 2: Locating Data Link Connector No. 3 (Avalon)

Fig 3: Installing Jumper Wire Between Data Link Connector No. 1 Terminals (Avalon)

Fig 4: Checking Ignition Timing Without Scan Tool (Avalon)