No Spark

[wrexwrench]

Greetings guys! New to the forum so here goes. Im an auto shop teacher, 17 years now, here in British Columbia, Canada. Been wrenching since I was a kid and enjoy it lots (usually!).
Anyhoo, my problem. Bought this 83 supra, 5mge engine, 5 speed and after running a bit and leaving it sit a while, would loose spark. Cool it down with hood up would start up again. Assumed it was ignition module (igniter in Toyota speak) and got one from a wrecker. Was off an 80 corrola- needed to solder my connections on it but hooked up fine. Tested igniter before install by triggering it with 1.5 v battery as per Haynes manual and worked fine. Put in car, still no spark. Hasnt run since. Noticed dist had 2 pickup coils in it and one checks ok with ohmeter, other checks open (fe one according to manual-whatever that means). Before I spend more money on parts would like some input from you guys. Are one of these pu coils for the Tach? The neg terminal from coil/igniter is unused on harness and my tach doesent work. Checked with parts store and found that these coils arent available. Also learned that spark advance is controlled by ecu. Could that have anything to do with my problems? Going kinda crazy here! Rembering why I converted to old Chevys 20 years ago! Hi again and any input is greatly apreciated!

[pimptrizkit]

how long will she run before she stops running?


most of the time i find timming belts to be the issue,




i would track down why the tach doesn't bounce while cranking, or running first.

basicaly have a few things,

the distributer, coil, ignitor and ecu. of course the wiring inbetween, if all test out good. it's probaly some thing else.

i've worked on a guy's car who installed his fuel pump wire's backwards when his car died.but he broke a timming belt and popped a head gasket all at once.

[wrexwrench]

When it worked, it seemed to run as long as I kept it going- just wouldnt start back up after under hood temp rose while sitting- again, no spark. Let it cool with hood up- 15-20 min then would start. That worked maybe 4 times over 3 days and hasnt started since- at least died at home! BTW, timing belt was replaced just before I bought it. Thanks

[Dave A.]

You can learn a lot about the misc. systems used in the MKII Supra here: www.autoshop101.com Click on "Technical Articles".

Just curious, but why did you replace the igniter with one from a Corolla?

[wrexwrench]

The wrecker I was dealing with sent me that one I guess cause thats all they had. The $450.00 new price tag drove me to the wreckers- Thats almost half what I paid for the car! They did declare that it should work after I put my connectors on it. Does the igniter have anything to do with the electronic spark advance or is that all taken care of in the ecu? I do have a used distributor coming from the wreckers to eliminate the pickup issue. They promise that it is exactly like mine- esc, no vac and 2 pu's so keeping fingers crossed. Regarding igniters, wonder if module from old GM HEI (black thing with 4 connectors under rotor) would work? I realize the thought might mortify some purists but....I have oodles of those. This forum is great! Been huge wealth of info already! You guys rock!

[Dave A.]

Read up on section 23 EFI #4 on autoshop101 when you get a chance. You mentioned that the NE coil in the distributor base measured open. The engine will not run if that coil is open. You also need to use the proper igniter since both the igniter and ECU communicate with each other. IE: both parts are designed to work with each other and are not interchangeable.

[pimptrizkit]

i have a coil and igniter i am not using out of an 85, any one know for sure if they will work for him?

[Dave A.]

It needs to be an 83 coil & igniter to match up properly w/ the 83 ECU.

[wrexwrench]

Thanks guys! Sounds like I might be half way to solving my problem. Distributor should be here today and I think Ill try putting my old igniter back in in case it was the pu coil all along.

[wrexwrench]

Thanks, Dave A., that autoshop 101 is great and explained lots- Will be useful in my auto class as well!

[Dave A.]

Glad I could help! I'm not positive, but I believe the articles on autoshop101 are actually part of what Toyota once called their T-ten classes for training prospective new Toyota mechanics.

[supkar]

Yeah, you will need the 83 ingniter/coil . PM me if you find that is the problem. I do have an 83 igniter/coil around here that I could sell you with a money-back guarantee. Or, buy a new one from Toyota but it'll cost plenty. Good luck!

[wrexwrench]

Thanks for the info. I'll get in touch if I need your igniter. Any idea how much you want for it?

[wrexwrench]

Put in new to me distributor and went back to my original igniter and is working well so far. Thanks again for help so far. Now to get the spedo and tach working...

[1984SUPRADUDE]

Yea, I had a problem with my '84 SUPRA not having any spark to the plugs. Not sure if you read my posts on the forum about ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, NO SPARK.
I used the TSRM manual to the fullest extent possible and also the kind inputs from all the members here on this forum, I can tell you that in the end, my original IGNITER BOX and COIL was fine. Have you performed the TROUBLECODES procedure that is called for in the TSRM ??? You almost have to know for sure what that might be ........................... without trouble codes, you are throwing darts in the dark.
The Distributor comments are interesting, but be sure that you are testing this with the correct settings on your OHM METER. Also, have you checked out all of your fuses and relays ??? The ones inside the car behind the kick panel are a pain in the ass to get to, but you must be sure that these fuses and relays are good, and also check out the ones in the fuse box that is in the engine compartment next to the battery.
GOOD LUCK, let us know what is going on with your problem ........................
Regards,
Mark in Memphis,Tennessee