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Crank but no start issue after washing engine

Tiny
DRIVERMODANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 243,000 MILES
I have the car listed above with an 3SFE engine with a crank but no start issue, no spark (this happened after I washed my engine bay, I used simple green type liquid and water hose).

• No spark
• I tested the distributor and it is good (99% sure).
• I tested the plug wires and they were real low in resistance. So replaced (came with new distributor cap).
• Tested a set of known operating spark plugs onto my car, didn't change anything.
• Changed the igniter (for free atjunk.Y, got 2).
• Battery is good like new.
• Had the starter tested, good/passed.
• I have fuel pressure.

Now back to the distributor, these are the results of testing:

• Primary resistance of ignition coil =.6 ohms (not 100% sure if this is out of spec or oayk, for 3SFE engine spec is.38 -.46 ohms.)
• Secondary coil resistance = 8.93k ohms (spec for 3SFE is 7.7 - 10.4k ohms).
• Ignition coil + terminal to ground = is 0v, 40.7 ohms, 40 continuity.
• Harness connector for the top terminal of the distributor is 11.92v (black/orange wire, ign. On).
• Top terminal on distributor =.01v both wires.
•.07v for all wires on harness connector for the right terminal on distributor (ign on).
• Resistance of pick up coil is in spec (140-180ohms).
• Power for igniter harness connector = 11.93v (bla/ora wire, ign on) & 5.06v red/whi wire.
• When installing the distributor housing I aligned the line on the housing with the cutout on the bearing cap and set the crank to TDC by lining up the notch on the pulley to 0°.

I've been going through alot of forums and I've seen some potential causes but not sure of, such as: EFI main relay, ECU, ignition switch, ignition fuse.




Search terms: 1987 1988 1990 1991 1987-1991 87 88 89 90 91 87-91 cranks washed engine now won't start.
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Monday, April 8th, 2019 AT 10:37 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello,

This may be a problem with your vehicle's Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP). Your vehicle's Power-train Control Module (PCM) uses this information to keep track of the crankshaft and where the engine is in it's 4 stroke cycle, as well as crankshaft speed and misfire monitor. If this sensor or it's associated circuit's wiring has failed, your vehicle's engine will not start.
I have included a factory diagnostic troubleshooting guide for your vehicle's CKP sensor in the diagrams down below. I have also included a few links below for you to go to:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-crank-shaft-angle-sensor-works
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/symptoms-of-a-bad-crankshaft-sensor
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/crankshaft-angle-sensor-replacement

Please go through these guides and get back to us with what you find out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
DRIVERMODANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
A 1989 Toyota Camry doesn't have a crank shaft position sensor, refer to these:
http://www.fixya.com/cars/t2754329-no_spark_1988_toyota_camry_3sfe_4cyl_5

https://www.autozone.com/engine-management/crankshaft-position-sensor
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
SCGRANTURISMO
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,897 POSTS
Hello again,

The information that you requested is in the diagrams down below. Please go through it and the information in the previous answers diagrams and get back to us with what you find out please.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
DRIVERMODANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Okay, yes I understand that the service connector (the dangling female connector on the distributor) is used to test engine speed and set ignition timing but I do not have a tachometer to do so, and to do that procedure the engine needs to be running at normal operating temperature in the first place.
What I am able to do, and did do was loosen the distributor bolts so I was able to turn it, while I was making small incremental turns I had someone turning the ignition while I was holding the distributor in the different positions (the distributor was bolted down/set with it turned all the way clockwise before I started this so I was making small position turns more and more counter clockwise). Not sure which direction is advancing or retarding. Was I supposed to tighten the bolts when testing the different positions?
And the results for the two terminals on the distributor (top and right female connections) are in my post.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,560 POSTS
As this happened right after you washed it I very much doubt it is a failed part. More likely is that the water found a connector that isn't fully sealed and caused it. Very common actually. The trick will be finding the connector that has the problem. Adjusting the timing will do nothing but make it out of time as moving the distributor won't create spark. Neither would changing the plugs and wires. A bad wire would either ark or just miss on that cylinder, not take out all the spark. What you need to do is test for power and ground at the ignition system then work back to the fuse box. Check every connector under the hood.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
DRIVERMODANIEL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Thanks a lot for your reply, will do. When you say check for "power and ground", what exactly or approximately would be considered good/in spec for power and for ground for each connector? And you mean to check the wire harness connectors - not the male component connectors correct?
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,560 POSTS
Power = battery voltage Ground = no voltage when referenced to battery negative.
It doesn't take much moisture to cause problems. That is why it's a pain to find that one connector that is the problem. It may not even be an obvious connector, moisture in a fuse box or one that doesn't appear to be related to the problem all have to be eliminated. The first step will be to look at the ones you know got wet and can cause a loss of spark. So coil, distributor, ignition modules, and those connections first. Do the wires that should have power actually have power. Because it turns over and seems to have fuel many items are already eliminated from the hunt.
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Monday, February 22nd, 2021 AT 11:02 AM

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