1996 Toyota Corolla

Tiny
KYHILLS
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
A little frustrated and puzzled
March 2010- car had been running fine and just died
something happened that messed up the distributor
we had it replaced but there was still considerable missing/hiccuping when accelerating
had a local mechanic look at it but couldn't figure anything out
it did it more when car was cold
took it to Toyota dealership-they checked O2 sensor and quite a few other things: fuel injectors, put in original equip plugs and wires, replaced computer with another one(used) and some other stuff
it was running better but the missing/hiccuping was still there some
they felt it was something electrical but said it could take a while to trace it down
we had already spent several hundred on a car worth 1500 and didn't want to put more into it
we continued to drive
over the warmer months it got better to where it was almost nonexistent during the summer
now that it has gotten cooler it has started doing it a little more
gas mileage has not dropped over this period
we really don't want to spend any more money
any ideas on what is going on and do you think there are any concerns with continuing to drive it?
Thursday, October 7th, 2010 AT 9:42 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
What happened that originally caused the dist. To be replaced?

I mean did a coolant hose bust or did it just die?

Where did you get replacement dist.
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Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
KYHILLS
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It just died out of the blue.
The distributor came from NAPA
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Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 4:43 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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Did it come with a new ignitor or did you use old one?
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010 AT 8:33 AM
Tiny
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I am not sure. Our local mechanic put it in. It was around $250 so I am thinking maybe it was not included.
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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Make sure correct dist. Was installed with new ignitor.

Also check timing belt for missing teeth.
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
KYHILLS
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The timing belt was checked. Is the ignitor the same as the ignition module? Could you get a used ignitor to test it? New ones are pretty expensive. Would the change in ambient temperature affect its operation/performance?
Thanks for your help.
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010 AT 10:17 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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On many Toyota's it is actually cheaper to get a dist. With a module (ignitor) than just the module itself.

You can go to junkyard and get used module to test.

Modules usually run OK when cold, but when hot they fail, then when cool they will run again.
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
KYHILLS
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It is definitely running better when the engine is warm and when the ambient temp is higher. Maybe not the module?
Any other thoughts?
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
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Check the intake manifold bolts, they can sometimes work loose and cause a vacuum leak.

Any parts you need, go to junk yard.

Best approach is to measure fuel pressure with mechanical gauge to rule out fuel pump.
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 AT 8:55 AM

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