1. Warm up the engine to operating temperature and turn it off.
2. Connect the tachometer and stroboscope according to the manufacturer's instructions.
1 - ignition distributor; 2 - connection to the battery strobe; 3 - stroboscope; 4 - ignition cable cylinder 1; 5 - spark plug cylinder 1; 6 - stroboscope capacitive terminal
3. On some models, the MAZDA system switch must be connected to the diagnostic plug located on the left shock absorber casing (SST 49B0199A0). Set switch A to position 1, test switch to SELF TEST.
4. If this device is not available, the GND and TEN contacts should be short-circuited with a piece of wire. Which models does this requirement apply to?.
5. If equipped, disconnect the vacuum hose from the vacuum unit at the distributor and plug with a suitable clean bolt. On a dual vacuum unit, it may be necessary to disconnect only one of the two hoses.
6. Start the engine and let it idle. The required number of revolutions during the check.
7. Turn off all electricity consumers (radio, heated rear window, etc.) and air conditioning.
8. Use a stroboscope to illuminate the mark on the crankshaft belt pulley.
9. The ignition timing is adjusted correctly if the yellow mark on the belt pulley is stationary opposite the corresponding ignition timing value on the toothed belt cover. The ignition timing values are in the table.
10. If the ignition timing is not as required, loosen the clamp bolt on the distributor and adjust the ignition timing by turning the distributor.
11. Tighten the clamp bolt on the distributor with force 25 Nm.
12. Remove the bolt from the vacuum hose and place the hose on the distributor vacuum device.
13. Disconnect the system switch or jumper from the diagnostic plug.
14. Turn off the test devices when the ignition is off.
15. In the workshop, you can also check the centrifugal and vacuum displacement of the distributor at different speeds. This is only required if the ignition system is faulty.
16. Check idle speed, adjust if necessary, see Chapter Power supply system, carburetor, fuel injection system.
Required values
| Engine | Ignition timing | Number of revolutions during adjustment |
| E1, E3, E5 | 4±1° before TDC | 850±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| B3 carburetor | 2±1° before TDC | 850±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| B3 injection | 0±1°3 | 850±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| B5 | 6 ±1° before TDC | 850±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| B6 (SOHC) carburetor | 6±1° before TDC | 850±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| B6 (SOHC) injection | 7±1° before TDC4 | 1025±25 rpm⁻¹ |
| B6 (DOHC) | 12±1° before TDC | 900±50 rpm⁻¹ |
| BP (SOHC) | 5±1° before TDC4 | — 2 |
| BP (DOHC) | 10 ±1° before TDC4 | — 2 |
1 - Automatic transmission: idle speed + 100 rpm.
2 - Idle speed is adjusted automatically.
3 - Disconnect the hose from the lower vacuum device only.
4 - Connect the MAZDA system plug (SST 49B0199A0).