So my friend has a 1988 4Runner v6 5spd and the other day it died on him and so I took the cap off and you could smell that burned electronics smell and upon further inspection see that it had been fried. While replacing it we found that the coil wire was actually the root of this by being exposed half way down and touching the frame. The truck still wont give me a spark. I tested resistance at the coil and it is @ 1ohm. What could the issue be? I know the dist is installed properly and whenever I do test for spark all I get is a faint yellowish orange spark. Not Blue. Ugh! Thanks for the help!

 

May be the igniter module since it sinks current for the coil and controls the coil dwell.

 

how should I test that? Which wires do what? ive got it out right now

 

Before that...
you've tested both the primary and secondary resistance in the coil?

 

Did you replace the plug wires and the wire from the coil? Got good grounds? I've not read on many tests for the ignitor assebly most of the time you just replace and go on about your lives. If your plugs and wires are good, and your distributor is good (did you replace rotor button?) and your coil is good then the last culprit is usually a bad or weak ground or your ignitor.... check wires coming out of the ignitor and make sure they are tight and connected AND not broke.

 

Yea what abe said make sure you fully test the coil for both resistances it should be in any haynes manual or look online i forget what its supose to be. but if its out of spec anywhere it needs replacing.

 

yea. its@ 12.75 I think? Hrmmm. Were hoping its not that igniter. Things are expensive!

 

Yea. Visually, everything is ok. The wires arent the newest but visually are good and we had to replace the coil wire due to it being exposed. I also just replaced the plugs 500 miles ago.

 

What exactly happend when it died again?

 

I guess it wasnt running right the day before it died and then the next day he went to start it in the morning and it just turns over.

 

Thank You so much for taking the time to help by the way.

 

yea i just downloaded the 88 FSM but it is only for the 4cyl. ARGH

 

^ Would you happen to have the link for 88 4runner 4cyl?

 

http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/87-4Runne...4runner_88.pdf

 

Pray do tell.... what does that mean? @ 12.75 what?
What is the primary coil resistance and what is the secondary?