Where are the timing marks to aim the timing light at on 96 mazda protege? I looked on crankshaft and timing cover but i dont see nothing. I have already lined the crankshaft up and the cams up.

 

They are on a plastic cover. It is all black and hard to see. It covers the crank pulley partially from above. Get a good light to locate the cover. You need to look down almost straight from over the crank pulley. Use a white marker to highlight the marks on the cover and to highlight the notch on the pulley.

IIRC I had to aim the light a little bit from an angle and looked straight down while using the right hand to adjust the distributor. I went from late spark to approach the correct timing.

 

I looked and couldn't find any plastic covers. Maybe the 96 doesn't have 'em? All I found was a white mark on the crankshaft position sensor. (See attached pic) I did come across 1 interesting thing in the dlc box. I found 2 grounds. One that says sgnd and the other gnd. Which am I supposed to use with 10 to adjust my idle? Been using gnd, but that may be why it seems to never work.

 

you have the Haynes manual. Look at picture 3.8 in chapter 2A. Also chapter 5, diagram 10.5.

If you cannot find it it has been lost. you may find one at the junk yard or you need to make your own mark, 10 degrees before TDC

Sorry, I am not able to help with your other questions.