22R, igniter diagnosis needed

[batholith]

I have an '83 pickup 4x4. Recently the truck started cutting off on me (usually in 2nd gear, moving through town, 25 mph zone). It wouldn't sputter, jump, or anything. It would just die. I doubt my speed/gear has anything to do with the problem, but the failure always seemed to happen when I was in second and going relatively slow at a constant speed...

At any rate, if I let it sit for a few minutes it would start right back up again. Sometimes I wouldn't have to wait at all to start it up, I could crank it right back up and move on.

The problem progressed and it started cutting off on me while idleing (warming up in the mornings for the drive to work). It would start back up and be fine for the commute. Finally it started to become a real pain the $@# and wouldn't start at all - the engine would rotate but it just wouldn't come alive.

When it died for good, I checked for spark off the coil, I wasn't getting any, so I pulled it off and found that it was bad (my resistance was off). I replaced the coil, the truck started right back up, and with high hopes I headed home...but then it decided to die on me again. And again it would not start...

So I'm starting to wonder about my igniter... My question is can these die gradually (like my symptoms above), or do they die at once (in which case I'm open for alternative suggestions). Cause I really don't want to pay $250 for one.

I'm pretty sure it's not a fuel problem, and I know I wasn't getting spark downstream from the ignition coil. Other than the igniter, has anyone run across other problems that would inhibit spark to the coil?

Sorry 'bout the long narrative..

[Greasygreg]

Ive lost three ignitors over the years,one in the mud,one at the car-washand one ouside the stor on a five minute trip.The all went out with no warning,though..no sputtering or stuff.you might wanna check stuff like the condition of your plugs-wires,pull the cap off distributor,look at contacts,rotor,ect.I also once hooked up a coil backwards and it ran,although poorly.Might check for choke function too as the stuff can crud up or stick.Good luck...

[batholith]

Thanks, I've checked the choke, but I haven't checked the distributor yet. I assumed since I wasn't getting spark at the coil the distributor was "downstream" from that point. However, since my first post it looks like the toyota schematic says otherwise. I'll head there next. Thanks!