timming

I thought with you spout connector out you could lock your timing in and it would not advance. Its the computer that is advancing and retarding your timing. With the spout out it shouldn't advance I thought. I could be wrong but hopefully someone else will chime in.
 
If the timing never changes SPOUT out vs in, look for an open in your SPOUT circuit. The open is tantamount to always having the SPOUT connector removed (even if it is installed).

Good luck.