Weird Electrical Problem...HELP!
09-12-2010, 03:34 PM
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Weird Electrical Problem...HELP!
I have a 92 yota pickup, 3.0L 4x4 5 speed. Sometimes it will start and run, sometimes it won't. When it does start it will usually run for a few hours then stall without warning (no bog or anything just shut right off) I have had no luck figuring out why, I tried to take it to a garage but it decided to work fine that day so they charged me $100 to tell me they tested the mass air flow sensor and it is alright. I have also tried replacing the cap and router button. So today I went to try it and it wouldn't start...of course, so I borrowed an inline tester from my buddy that goes on the spark plug and then the spark plug wire goes on it, it shows how much or if any spark is there. I am only getting spark to 2 of the 6 cylinders, the 2 closest to the firewall in each cylinder bank ( not sure the cylinder numbers). After that I tried the tester right off the distributor to be sure it wasn't the wires but same thing, only 2 were getting any spark. If the cap and router button are new what else could it be? The distributor only spins the router doesn't it? If so it is doing its job so I don't know where to go from here! Any help would be awsome. Thanks alot!
09-12-2010, 03:51 PM
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how old are the wires?
if you cannot recall the last time you replaced them, it may be time to replace those too
the only other thing I can think of is the ignitor or the coil
if you cannot recall the last time you replaced them, it may be time to replace those too
the only other thing I can think of is the ignitor or the coil
Last edited by iamsuperbleeder; 09-12-2010 at 03:52 PM.
09-12-2010, 04:08 PM
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Consider checking the plugs; if they are fouled they will short out the spark, and your inline tester may show "nothing."
The distributor spins the rotor, but it also has the hall-effect sensor which triggers the ignitor which triggers the coil. I'm not aware of an easy way to test these components, other than checking for spark as you have. But without a fouled plug, you may have a very weak spark, so that only a few of your cylinders are getting enough to trigger your tester. The most likely cause is the ignitor. But that is an expensive component to swap just for diagnostics.
Last, you might consider investing $15-30 in a timing light; it is usually much easier to use to diagnose spark issues.
The distributor spins the rotor, but it also has the hall-effect sensor which triggers the ignitor which triggers the coil. I'm not aware of an easy way to test these components, other than checking for spark as you have. But without a fouled plug, you may have a very weak spark, so that only a few of your cylinders are getting enough to trigger your tester. The most likely cause is the ignitor. But that is an expensive component to swap just for diagnostics.
Last, you might consider investing $15-30 in a timing light; it is usually much easier to use to diagnose spark issues.
09-12-2010, 04:53 PM
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I have replaced the spark plugs and I intend to replace the wires as they are old but I don't think they can be the issue because the tester showed no spark at 4 of the 6 plugs on the distributor with the spark plug wires disconnected from it. I also placed the tester in the line from the coil to the distributor and it is showing lots of spark there. What do you mean by the ignitor? Is that the thing right beside the coil with a plug connector on it?
02-09-2013, 08:47 PM
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I have replaced the spark plugs and I intend to replace the wires as they are old but I don't think they can be the issue because the tester showed no spark at 4 of the 6 plugs on the distributor with the spark plug wires disconnected from it. I also placed the tester in the line from the coil to the distributor and it is showing lots of spark there. What do you mean by the ignitor? Is that the thing right beside the coil with a plug connector on it?
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