Got fuel, got spark-Still won't run!

[whizzer]

Hi everybody, First timer here. My saga is this: For the first time in over 12 years my '85 Celica GTS Conv. has me stumped. The car will start, run just fine for a few moments then die. Sometimes before it dies, it sputters as if starved of fuel. After a couple of attempts, car will not even start. Diagnostic code said Main Relay and Igniter/Distributor. Replaced relay and that code went away. Igniter/Distributor code comes and goes, possibly from me unhooking the battery to do resistance tests. Car is getting both fuel and spark (blue). A repair book I have (Haynes-one size fits all manual) says this starting and dying problem is a classic symptom of a bad ballast resistor on the coil. The problem is, the car doesn't have one. The manual is possibly referring to other model years. Could this component be part of the igniter? I put an ohm meter on the igniter to check for insulation resistance. Should read infinite. I get 100 ohms. I'm not sure if I'm hooking up the tester right. I’ve read somewhere that the igniter tells the ECU if the car is firing correctly. If the ECU does not receive this information, it will tell the injectors to shut down. If only the injectors shut down, is this why I still have pressure at the fuel rail? Put an ohm meter on the coil (primary and secondary resistance) and pickup coil in distributor. Both check out O.K. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[fredk]

after trying to start it are the plugs wet with gas?

[whizzer]

No, they're dry. Anyway, plug #3 (easiest to get to). I didn't take them all out. Just for grins, while I had the plug out, I put the wire back on and cranked the engine. The spark was white. The first time I checked the spark, I just pulled a wire and stuck on a plug I had laying in the toolbox and the spark was nice and blue then. Also, code 6 came back (igniter and/or distributor). Sure would like to know what I'm dealing with here.

[ShawnM]

If you cranking the engine and its not starting and you have fuel, then the plugs should be wet.

[whizzer]

I agree, but that's not what to seems to be going on. I have all kinds of pressure at the fuel rail. Right now I'm thinking there's no fuel leaving the injectors after awhile becuase it will start and run momentarily. Man, am I going to have to remove an injector to check this out? Arrgh! By the way Shawn, looks like you're a Toyota and Ford guy. You alright! Thanks, Kyle

[fredk]

it sounds like your cold start injector gets it running when its cold but it shuts off and then the motor quits because your regular injectors arent working

[ShawnM]

I suppose so, although the camry is actually the wifes car. What you have in that car is actually an old bosch system. If the spark plugs arnt getting wet I would check to make sure your getting power at the fuel injector electrical plugs. With the key on and engine off you should have 3-5 volts (don't remember the exact spec for that system) at one of the 2 wires. The power is supplied to the injectors from the ignition switch. Should be a constant voltage, the ECM makes and breaks the ground side of the circuit to energize the injector.

[whizzer]

Thanks, I'll try to get at one that isn't too hard to reach and test it. One should be enough. Thanks everyone, I've got more useful information here in 1 day than a month of Sundays on another forum!