Alright, First Off My truck won't start because she's not getting spark. So i decided maybe it's time for a maintenance check - new plugs, cap rotor and coil wire. Still no spark, I'm getting spark from the coil, but no spark to the plugs. I still have to check the power going to the distributer, but more than likely Im going to need a new one .. right? Is there any way to fix a bad distributer? Or am I missing something stupid

 

You can't really fix the distributor (though rebuilts exist). I don't know about an '82; I doubt it has "points." If no points, the ignitor is what triggers the spark (the reluctor in the distributor gives a low-energy signal to the ignitor, which then fires the spark). I'd think the ignitor is more likely the problem than the distributor (the "distributing" function of the distributor is pretty trivial). Now did you determine you were getting spark from the coil? If by switching the B+ lead to the coil, that will test just the coil (which is what you wanted), but not the ignitor.

 

Yeah i tested the coil, not like that though, I took a spark plug and put in on teh end of the coil wire and did a spark test, and the plug was seeing spark. What are points? ( 82' was my old truck, this is for a 1990 3.0 )

 

Thought I had the same problem with the dist. Did all the same testing as you. Turns out the AFM was somehow faulty. That was a nice $$$ repair. I have a 3.0 dist for sale if you need. Good luck. Electrical sux.

 

I read that some guys on here are getting AFM's out of some model of Camry that has a larger throat, and they run 15 to40 dollars depending on your scrap yard. If it is your AFM you might look into that.

 

Here come's another stupid question, What's An AFM? What does it do, where is it, how do i test it ? Thanks for the help guys - I'm going through withdrawel of my truck

 

Hmmm, Air flow meter (googled it) , This Might make some sense now, I put a K&N hi-flow filter in it the day before ,would that effect it?

 

See the metal piece attached between the tube and air filter in the pics below

That is your afm

 

It should not affect it in anyway that would cause your issues

 

Awesome, Thanks man. So now I need to figure out if it is bad, But why would this cause no spark?

 

Have you checked the rotor button on the distributor?

 

Yeah, I replaced it, as well as the coil wire, and plugs, and cap

 

Look for burn marks where it comes thru the dist. if theres no spark to the dist. cap then it would make since that it is in your rotor button because as the dist.shaft spins the butoon distubites spark to each cylinder

 

How does your spark look? it could be that the coil it is too weak to generate enough spark to get it to fire

 

Is your cap after market??? It may have to much resistance for the coil as well

 

Alright, But i am getting spark to the cap, from the coil.

 

Picked it up from Napa, Don't think it is, Maybe the coil is too weak, but it was giving ( what looked ot me) a normal spark

 

If you have spark to the dist. then check out your rotor maybe its not getting the spark to distribute it

 

How do i do That, I think I'm confusing the rotor button with the rotor, are they the same thing? I replaced the rotor, maybe not the button, stupid question i know i know

 

samething it seems it would have to be the rotor if you have spark to the cap it would have to be losing it at the rotor see if it is making contact with the dist cap contacts