Crank no spark after replacing the distributor

KYLE DUNCAN

MEMBER
1992 TOYOTA PASEO
1.5L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
185,000 MILES

My car was starting fine then I pulled the distributer off and installed a new one and it cranks but wont start. We lined up the crank with the first spark plug but we are not getting spark.

Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 6:54 PM

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

Hi,

I know the coil is mounted in the distributor. Was that new? If you used the old one, check to see if there is power to the + side of the coil. There will be two wires to it. One is power. With the key in the run position, check for power and let me know what is found.

I attached a pic below of the coil. You need to locate the positive side of the coil to determine which wire should have power.

Also, here is a link that explains how to retrieve codes from this vehicle. You don't need a scanner.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/toyota-trouble-code-definitions-and-code-gathering-method-1990-1995

Next, here is a link that you may find helpful when checking wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below.

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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 10:08 PM

KYLE DUNCAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So the coil was new and we put back in the old distributer because we thought we did something wrong. It was starting at first with the old distributer but still not starting now. It has me stumped. Battery is at 12.7 volts. What could we have messed up? I know everything checked out because it was starting right up until I messed with the distributor.

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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 10:18 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

Hi,

If there is no spark, we need to start at the coil. I don't think you made any mistakes. Either we lost power to the coil or it is faulty.

Check it and let me know if there is power to it. The vehicle doesn't need to be running. Simply turn the key to the run position.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, August 21st, 2021 AT 10:48 PM

KYLE DUNCAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

I checked the coil it is getting power. We also checked the distributor it has a nice arch still not firing up.

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Sunday, August 22nd, 2021 AT 11:19 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,724 POSTS

So you are getting to the plugs? If that's the case, are you certain the distributor is timed properly? Also, will it start for a couple of seconds if you use starting fluid?

If you are getting spark at the distributor, the only thing that would stop it from the spark plugs is plug wires, a bad distributor cap, or distributor rotor.

Let me know.

Joe