No spark?

Tiny
RILEY JOHN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 100,000 MILES
Car listed above has a 4af with the carburetor. It runs great for 20 minutes then all of a sudden shuts off and loses spark to all 4 cylinders. After it cools. Down for 30 minutes it starts right back up again no problem. Then once it reaches operating temperature loses spark again.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,867 POSTS
Thanks for using 2CarPros.

The first thing that comes to mind is there is an issue with the pick up coil in the distributor. If it fails, you will lose spark. Here are the directions for testing it. Do this and let me know what you find. Also, the attached pictures correlate with the directions. Please keep in mind, these directions are for different designs. I'm not sure which you have, so note the directions where they indicate the different styles. For example, you may have an internal or external distributor.

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1986 Toyota Corolla Sedan FWD L4-1587cc 1.6L SOHC (4A-C)
Pick-Up Coil Test
Vehicle Powertrain Management Ignition System Pick-Up Coil Testing and Inspection Component Tests and General Diagnostics Exc. 7M-GTE Engine Pick-Up Coil Test
PICK-UP COIL TEST
Fig. 13 Checking pick-up coil resistance. Models w/external coil
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Fig. 14 Checking pick-up coil resistance. Models w/internal coil

pic 1

Fig. 15 Pick-up coil connector terminal identification.

pic 2

Fig. 16 Pick-up coil connector terminal identification.

pic 3

Fig. 17 Pick-up coil connector terminal identification.

pic 4

Fig. 18 Checking pick-up coil air gap (Typical)

pic 5

These ignition systems may use up to three pick-up coils.
1. On models with external coil, disconnect electrical connector(s) to distributor. On models with internal coil, remove distributor cap, rotor and dust shield, if equipped.
2. On all except 3S-FE, 3S-GE, 5M-GE and 7M-GE engines, measure resistance between pick-up coil terminals as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. On 4A-GE, 4A-GEL, 4A-GEC and 4A-GELC engines, two pick-up coil connectors are used. Measure resistance between the two sets of pick-up terminals separately.
3. On 5M-GE engines, measure resistance between white and yellow wire terminals and between white and red wire terminals in distributor connector, Fig. 15.
4. On 3S-GE and 7M-GE engines, measure resistance between terminals G1 and G- , G2 and G- and Ne and G- , Fig. 16.
5. On 3S-FE engines, measure resistance between G and G- terminals, then the Ne and G- terminals, Fig. 17.
6. Pickup coil resistances should be 130-190 ohms on 3A-C engines, or 140-180 ohms on all other engines.
7. If resistance is not within specifications, pick-up coil, distributor housing or distributor should be replaced.
8. Rotate crankshaft as necessary to align one tooth or reluctor with pick-up pole piece(s), Fig. 18, and ensure that air gap is .008-.016 inch. Use non-magnetic feeler gauge when checking air gap. Engines may use one, two or three pick-up coils. Check air gap for all coils as outlined.
9. If pick-up coil air gap is incorrect, adjust as necessary. On some models, pick-up coils are not adjustable. If air gap is incorrect, the distributor or distributor housing must be replaced.
______________________________

Here are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

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

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TTOWNRICAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1986 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 168,000 MILES
I started my car up so my brother could charge his battery. But he put a truck battery in. The alternater started to smoke a wire from the postive terminal melted a little bit and not I can not get spark from the dizzy. I changed the external coil pack I think it might be the igniter the hooks to the dizzy and the coil pack. The engine is a 4age twin cam please help
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the ignition fuse 7.5amp and look for power at the coil, measure the resistance of the distributor pick up coil and have the ignitor tested
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TTOWNRICAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have done all that still no spark how do you test a Distributor to see if it is working
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Do you have power to the coil? And also what was the distributor pick-up coil resistances and did you test the ignitor. Your best solution here is swap distributor
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TTOWNRICAN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I bought a working igniter is the a way I can test the dizzy I plan to take it apart what can I look for
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get DVOM and measure the distributor pick coil resistances and give me the readings and also check it for short to ground-the specs should be in the repair manual. Distributor checked out problem could be a wire to and from the computer or the computer itself.
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Saturday, December 26th, 2020 AT 2:21 PM (Merged)

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