93 Corolla electrical problem

[lunkhead]

So, Monday night I was driving out to go on a halloween date and as i turn a corner my 93 Corolla driven hard with about 200k miles on it dies. Everything electrical cuts out and the engine dies about the exact same time.

I popped the hood and found that I wasn't getting any fire from the plugs so I go buy a new distributor cap and rotor (both needed to be replaced anyway so I figured why not). Replaced them and I'm still not getting any fire from the plugs. Odd thing is I think the battery and the cables are good because the starter is getting enough juice to turn the engine over fast enough for it to start and the stereo works so Im guessing just part of the electrical system is out.

I also think the fuel pump is working because I smell unburned gas after I crank it for a bit. I'm trying to find a wiring diagram but having some trouble (not sure where to look online) but i feel like it might be a bad wire somewhere or the coil just gave out. Any ideas?

Oh yeah and I checked all the fuses and they're good.

[fj62]

Possible timimg belt??? How many miles are on your timing belt?

[speedy25]

You checked the fuses BUT do you have power to the fuse box??

-SP

[kaitaiya]

only (free) wiring diagram i have been able to find is the one in the manual. it's not the greatest. i'm still looking for a better one. friend has a simular problem. trying to figure out his trouble i got his car cranking, but no fuel pump, no power to coil or injectors.

[lunkhead]

Originally Posted by fj62

Possible timimg belt??? How many miles are on your timing belt?

Yes I did. Close to 200k but its intact.

Originally Posted by speedy25

You checked the fuses BUT do you have power to the fuse box??

-SP

Good question i just borrowed a multimeter so i'll know today.

Originally Posted by kaitaiya

only (free) wiring diagram i have been able to find is the one in the manual. it's not the greatest. i'm still looking for a better one. friend has a simular problem. trying to figure out his trouble i got his car cranking, but no fuel pump, no power to coil or injectors.

Im about to go work on it i'll post an update in a few hours probably. Thanks for the help, everybody.

[lunkhead]

Alright it lives

Tested the secondary stage of the old coil and the resistance was out of range; slapped on the new one and it lumbered to life. Knew this would be easier with a multimeter. Still couldn't find a wiring diagram for the vehicle (for free, anyway) but i can post the electrical specs of coil.

minimum primary resistance range: 1.1-1.7 ohm

minimum secondary resistance range 10.0k-15.0k ohm

and its a duralast C972 part number

[kaitaiya]

Originally Posted by lunkhead

Alright it lives

Tested the secondary stage of the old coil and the resistance was out of range; slapped on the new one and it lumbered to life. Knew this would be easier with a multimeter. Still couldn't find a wiring diagram for the vehicle (for free, anyway) but i can post the electrical specs of coil.

minimum primary resistance range: 1.1-1.7 ohm

minimum secondary resistance range 10.0k-15.0k ohm

and its a duralast C972 part number

how are you testing the resistance? ground to the outside?

[speedy25]

Originally Posted by lunkhead

its a duralast C972 part number

Unfortunately Autozone has a reputation for some really crappy parts. I hope yours at least lasts a while. If you have the same symptoms again someday it may well be that part again.

-SP