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2001 cobra ignition timing off

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mike3
  • Start date Start date Jul 13, 2026
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Mike3

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#1
  • Jul 13, 2026
  • #1
My next issue with this 2001 svt cobra is it runs like the ignition timing is way advanced. Little background car is a cobra that the motor went out on and a 2003 Lincoln aviator 4.6 was swapped in. First couple weeks after dropping the engine in the car ran great. But Just a few days ago the car shut off at a red light and when we tried to crank it back up It would crank very slow. It crank slow like the timing was way advanced. We bump started it and on the way home the car was pinging at relatively low rpm. Once the car cooled down it would start but still crank slow. Does anyone know what may cause the ignition timing to become advanced. Car runs good otherwise, no ticks or misfires and the engine is stock. Thanks for any and all input!
 

Bullitt347

I have been doing it wrong this whole time
15 Year Member
Mar 23, 2007
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Jul 14, 2026
#2
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • #2
Sounds like the timing chain/chain's jumped time.
There is no external way of adjusting ignition timing. It is all done by the Powertrain Control Module.
 
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Mike3

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#3
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • #3
thanks for the response. It does suck because I just did a timing chain maybe less than 100 miles ago. Car ran great up until this point. Engine does not misfire just runs a little funny at idle with the timing.
 

Noobz347

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#4
  • Jul 14, 2026
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Have you confirmed that this is a timing issue?

It sounds to me like you have a hot-start issue.
 
M

Mike3

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Jul 26, 2025
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#5
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • #5
Noobz347 said:
Have you confirmed that this is a timing issue?

It sounds to me like you have a hot-start issue.
Click to expand...
The car cranks slow long after it has cooled, and it will ping right off of startup. But once the car gets hot it won’t crank at all. It just seemed to me like a car that the ignition timing is pushed off in though. If you could, can you explain symptoms of a “hot-start” and maybe how to diagnose. Thanks for the response.
 

manicmechanic007

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Sep 26, 2017
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#6
  • Jul 18, 2026
  • #6
Coolant in the cylinders causing a bit of a hydraulic lock is my guess, or a injector drizzling doing the same thing
 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor
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#7
  • Jul 18, 2026
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I have a similar issue with my 86 when it's warm out.

In my case, I've got it down to the El-Cheapo Chinee mini-starter being really close to my Bassanni exhaust.

Check all of your wiring goin to and from the starter, including the grounds. All of these connections can degrade with heat. Starter torque degrades too.

Carefully use a set of jumper cables from the battery, directly to the starter to test. You can also Ohm out the grounds when it's hot and refence those to what you got when measured cold.
 

squeak93

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#8
  • Jul 20, 2026
  • #8
These cars really don't jump timing unless something broke chain or guide wise.

Start with the basics.

Any codes?
How do plugs look?
How does coolant and oil look?
Tested good starter? (wiring to it good?)

How about your fuel pump? hard starting and pinging can both easily be caused by a week/bad pump. What is your rail pressure?
 

manicmechanic007

5 Year Member
Sep 26, 2017
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Jul 23, 2026
#9
  • Jul 23, 2026
  • #9
My guess too for any code associated with cam timing on your 01 Cobra
How many miles are on it?
A stretched timing chain or cracked and broken guides are generally the issue
 
Reactions: DadLife0724
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Mike3

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#10
  • Aug 2, 2026
  • #10
I know it’s been a while, but the car threw no codes. However we had ordered an sct tuner and when it finally came we flashed a 93 tune onto the car. After that we no longer had those issues and it runs great. Thanks for everyone’s help!
 
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