1996 Camry distributor test - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bcol · 09-30-2009, 11:08 PM

I have a 1996 5-speed camry I am trying to get running (just replaced the motor) and I'm getting no spark when cranking.

I'm testing every bit of the ignition system to try to find the problem, going through the BGB procedure on page IG-6. The car sat for almost two years after blowing the head gasket before I got around to fixing it. I am using the online BGB at the **********s website. The car ran once about a year ago so I know that these parts have worked recently, but I took everything apart because the only motor I could find to replace it with was a 1991 MR2 motor (don't worry, I used ALL of the camry electronics, wiring, intake manifold, EFI, etc etc... everything but the longblock is original, including the dizzy).

The factory service manual is telling me that the distributor plug has FOUR terminals... but mine only has TWO. Do I have the wrong factory service manual or what? It says 1992-1996 Camry on it, but it says cali-spec... I live in Oregon and I think that it was bought here as well. Would that make a difference?

I think my POS chinese Craftsman multimeter is working tonight (it sometimes works) and all of the other components seem to be in spec and plugged in (plug wires, dizzy wire, coil resistance, grounds). Any tips for things I could have forgotten would be appreciated.

abew330 · 10-01-2009, 10:19 AM

you check all fuse?
maf sensor?
fuel pump?
clog fuel filter/injector?

what engine do you have in it?

bcol · 10-01-2009, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abew330

you check all fuse?
maf sensor?
fuel pump?
clog fuel filter/injector?

what engine do you have in it?

Like I said, it's a 1991 MR2 motor.

I checked all the fuses, the ones in the engine bay and the ones in the driver's footwell. I'm pretty sure the fuel system is working, except for possibly the 2-year-old gas :p

There's no spark anywhere, not at the plugs nor at the dizzy. That is the problem I'm trying to track down first.

djb2 · 10-01-2009, 12:04 PM

If it had been working, I would say that the coil has gone bad. But this could be a wiring or sensor problem.

Do you get a failure code when you jumper the diag connector? If the engine computer is not getting sensor pulses or not getting the feedback signal from the ignitor it will report those specific failures. It doesn't get any feedback from the coil output, so that wouldn't trigger a diagnostic code.

bcol · 10-01-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djb2

If it had been working, I would say that the coil has gone bad. But this could be a wiring or sensor problem.

Do you get a failure code when you jumper the diag connector? If the engine computer is not getting sensor pulses or not getting the feedback signal from the ignitor it will report those specific failures. It doesn't get any feedback from the coil output, so that wouldn't trigger a diagnostic code.

That's good information. I'll check the codes tonight. I wasn't sure if it would give codes or not if it didn't start. Thanks!

bcol · 10-01-2009, 09:55 PM

This is really breaking my balls now.

I get under the dash to short the E1 and TE1 terminals, and THERE IS NO TE1 TERMINAL. There's a spot for it but nothing inside of it.

What the hell is going on with this car? It's like I have the wrong BGB or something.

bcol · 10-01-2009, 10:18 PM

Alright, I forgot there was a second place to short the TE1 and E1.

Anyways, I did that, and turn the key to ON, and the CEL lights up and stays lit. No codes?

Tried turning the key on and then shorting the terminals and the same thing.

I got a nice multimeter that I trust and tested the coil and it is within spec.

Mike Gerber · 10-02-2009, 09:07 AM

The 1996 Camry is OBD2, not OBD1. 96 was the first year where OBD2 was mandated. You will need a code reader to check for codes. Incidently, 1 steady blink on OBD1 meant no codes were present.

Mike

bcol · 10-02-2009, 10:25 AM

So I can't manually check codes with this car? And I can't even tell if it's throwing a code without the code reader? Wow, that sucks.

bcol · 10-02-2009, 02:21 PM

Talked to my brother (dealership mechanic) who says his boss won't let him take a code reader home for a night. Doesn't appear that any local parts stores will rent me one either. What a hassle.

Mike Gerber · 10-03-2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcol

Talked to my brother (dealership mechanic) who says his boss won't let him take a code reader home for a night. Doesn't appear that any local parts stores will rent me one either. What a hassle.

If you have Autozone in your area they will check it for you for free.

Mike

bcol · 10-03-2009, 02:25 PM

If the car won't start, I can't get it to Autozone...

Mike Gerber · 10-04-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcol

If the car won't start, I can't get it to Autozone...

Good point. I think I was half asleep when I wrote that. Autozone does have a free loaner tool program, but I don't know if they loan OBD2 code readers. Might be worth a phone call.

Mike