1991 Camry, no spark after fuel pump r/r

[edselsouth1]

After going to search, and not finding suitable info, I've got a few questions. Maybe two problems, but not sure if they are related. The car is a 1991 Camry w/ the 2.0 liter 4 cyl, auto. trans. Most times the car would start, and engine speed/idle was good, and acceleration was good (Engine speed while sitting still). Occasionally the car would start, run for a second or two, and quit. It was then hard to start. After WOT, the car would finally start, but acceleration of engine speed was poor, and would bog at about 1500-2000 rpm, and usually die. Upon next acceleration, engine speed came up normally, and could go as high as 3500 rpm without a problem. Car drives into the shop under its own power. Suspecting a fuel problem, the fuel filter was changed, and the fuel pump was changed. The fuel tank was cleaned. Now we have a good fuel supply to the engine, as far as the fuel filter hose to the rail. Now we also have NO spark. Question 1: Should there be power at the electrical connector to the PUMP, under the rear seat, when the key is in the ON position? If so, we do not have power. I can supply power to the pump with a jump box, and it runs as it should. We have no spark at the spark plugs (insert a plug in the plug wire end, ground it to the block, turn the engine over). Fuses under the hood have been checked. Fuses inside under the dash have been checked. All w/ a test light. Question2: Possible ignitor failure? How do I go about checking the ignitor? Also, I do not appear to have an external coil. If its inside the distributor, how do I go about checking it? Sorry for the long post, but wanted to give a background, and things that have been done/checked. Any advise is appreciated. Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

The coils go bad a lot more often then the ignitor on these cars, as they rack up lot's of miles on them. (You don't give current mileage on the car.) The coil is internal to the distributor. To test the coil you will need a digital volt/ohmeter and the specs from any manual. If you don't have a manual, you can download one for free at the top of the Camry forum over at AutomotiveForums.com. Download the generation 2 manual. You can also remove the coil and inspect it for cracks; another common problem with these coils. The coil will then short itself to ground on any metal inside the distributor.

Mike

[edselsouth1]

Mike Gerber.....Thanks for the insight on the coil problem. Went back to the car today, and initially had no spark, and no fuel pump operation. After checking all wiring, fuses, relays, etc., and not finding anything looking out of the ordinary, we tested again for fuel pump operation. The pump operated while cranking the engine.There was also spark at the plugs. Still, the car did not start. Bled air from the fuel system, no start. Introduced starting fluid, and the car then started, but only for a second. Upon the next trying to start, we again have no spark or fuel pump operation. Looks like I'll try another distributor tomorrow, unless anyone has a better idea. It appears that the pump issue initially (trash in the tank and clogged lines), and the no start were two different issues, but looked to be a single issue. Thanks for your help on this problem. David.

[AlmightyCamry777]

New parts are occasionally bad out of the box, including fuel pumps. If you remove the fuel pump and hook it up to the battery, try to get it to pump some water (it shouldn't hurt the fuel pump). If it can do that, its good, if not, the new part is bad.

[Doctor J]

Do you have 12v between black /orange wire at distributor and ground with ignition on (engine not running)?

[edselsouth1]

Thanks to everyone for the replies and suggestions. The Camry lives again. Turns out that the new pump had plenty of pressure but no volume. Couldn't get another pump for a few days, so I modified an '02 Rodeo v6 pump to fit in the Camry pump holder, and that worked out ok.