Intermittent spark 3ac

[Wallman]

My wife has a 1986 Tercel 4x4 Wagon SR5, 3A-C engine. It died the other day and came to find that it was not getting spark and of course the last thing I checked was the dist. cap. The contact path from the coil electrode to the rotor center electrode that is molded into the cap was testing at 320K ohms, went and measured a new one and it was 15K ohms.
Apparently there is some built in resistance for radio noise or something. Replaced it and it ran fine a few days, then it stopped running again and again I checked for spark, NO SPARK. Of course I pulled the new dist. cap to measure it and it was still at 15K ohms.

During the few days it was running the wife said it would sit and crank sometimes without spark, but if she kept trying it would eventually start.
Until the last time when it would not start, though while messing with it, it fired up for about 10 seconds and then never fired again, NO spark,

Though when you are cranking it there is no spark but when you stop cranking you get 1 fire. Thats it, just 1 spark, right when you stop cranking it.

I am normally quite good with cars but this one is kicking my ass. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Keith

[Wallman]

Well I have now take apart the steering calumn and took out the ignition switch to relube and probe it. All switches are working fine.

I am so F***ing lost on this one guys.

Please if any one even has an idea that may not even seem feasable, share it with me.

[Tercel GTS]

I'd try replacing the electrical part of the ignition switch, Start position may be going too far and pulling power off the ignition wire.

[Wallman]

Well I have already tested that. Plus sometimes it starts and will be running just fine and then just die. No spark. I hate to get rid of a car just becuase of no spark but I am out of thing to look at.

Does anyone know if the igniter can become intermittent when going out?

[Tercel GTS]

Not usually, the ignitor either works or doesn't. The part I suggested doesn't cost much, I really recommend trying a new part.

[Tercel GTS]

Here's another test, switch key to 'on' position. Bypass power to starter to engage it. If engine starts I'd definately replace the switch.

[Wallman]

Well the starter cranks the engine I just don't get spark at the plug wires....sometimes.