Engine cranks, but no spark, im stumped Options

[hitcachi]

Well for a little over a week now the Celica has been down. As the title says, it cranks normal but i have no spark. I have replaced so far, the timing belt (because thats what i thought it was at first before i checked for spark), distributor, ignition coil, and igniter. All fuses are good. Very expensive so far and I'm getting frustrated because its still not getting any spark. Reading some past posts, it might be the Starter relay, i haven't replaced that, but i don't know how to test it before just going out and buying a new one. If anyone can offer any suggestions or help i would really appreciate it. Thanks.

[alltracman78]

If it's cranking, forget anything with the starter circuit.

I don't remember which year started the crank sensors. 94, 95, or 96.
If you have one, check that.

Did you replace with used parts or new ones?

Do you have any codes?

[trdproven]

Rare case but if you checked everything out ok then it may be your computer box. I know one way to test the computer box is if you perform an onboard diagnostic it does not give you any error codes because how can a defective computer box give you any error codes to begin with.

Also along the lines, if you push start the car and it turns on, then you might want to check the clutch switch.

Good luck, I am just trying to throw some ideas at you real quick.

This post has been edited by trdproven: Apr 19, 2008 - 1:12 PM

[hitcachi]

all parts replaced with new ones

I will check the crank sensor and its not throwing any codes but I dont know if thats because i pulled and checked all fuses before i ran a diagnostic and also, I was at work one night and my dad was working on it in the shop and left the key on and drained the battery, so we recharged it and I checked for codes after it had been recharged. So i don't know if the battery dying reset it or not. But I guess i don't know what you mean by the "computer box". Do you have a pic, or diagram of its location. Thanks for the help so far guys.

[Havok1997GT]

by new parts do you mean you bought them from Autozone and places like that? or did you by them from Toyota. Lot of times parts like distrubuters are rebuilt and that is not the way you need to go, i went through 2 new distributers before i figured that one out. Also im asuming that you checked plugs and wires, if not you should do that. and i would think that if your getting crank, then it should have nothing to do with the starter system, all issues that ive ever seen where anything in the starter system was bad the car wouldnt crank or even try to crank.


Does all your lights come on? like does the radio come on? does the gauge lights come on?

is there spark coming from the wires?

[Bitter]

are you getting fuel? not just fuel pressure but is fuel spraying out of the injectors?

[rjbibeau]

did you mess with the intake manifold at all such as wires recently. there is a ground on the back of the intake manifold that is sometimes forgotten and these symptoms will happen then.

[hitcachi]

everything comes on just fine. I have power to everything.

I am getting fuel not sure if its spraying out of the injectors, i haven't checked, but I dont think it matters anyways because i still don't have any spark. And no i didn't mess with the intake manifold at all.

I really do appreciate the help guys. A lot of you are far more mechanically inclined then me and any suggestions help.

[rjbibeau]

just go get it diagnosed for like 150 believe me it will be worth it. look all the money you would spend otherwise replacing parts that don't need to be replaced.


were you driving it and then died or did you just try starting it one day?

This post has been edited by rjbibeau: Apr 21, 2008 - 4:05 PM

[97lestyousay]

Is the distributor turning?

[mariosdarkworld]

Sorry idk exactly wats going on but this my guess the camshaft broke cause thats wat happened to accord i had and it crank but never started or it could be a loose plug so disconnect and reconnect thats the problem i had with mine

[Hanyo]

how exactly are you checking for spark?

have you tried the started fluid test? spray starter fluid down the throttle, stand back and give it start. If it makes any form of noise then its not your ignition system, its fuel related.

If you don't hear a pop or different noise then its for sure ignition.

Does the distributor spin and the rotor point to the right spark plug at top dead center?? like 97lestyousay asked?

[hitcachi]

the dizzy is turning and its timed right. I think im going to go have it diagnosed. im so damn tired of messing with it and i think its beyond my mechanical skills. And yes the car did die as i was driving it. It just died instantly. No surging chugging or sputtering. Just dead.

[Batman722]

you're igniter is probably loose. Unplug it, clean the connections, then plug it back in.

also, start the car, when it's running open the hood and wiggle the plug to the igniter. See what happens.

that's my guess, I've seen it happen before.

[hitcachi]

ECU went dead. Had to get a new one. 400 dollars later, the car runs.

[Havok1997GT]

wow. Any chance of finding out what made it die, Those things shouldnt go out. i mean i know they do but how often really?

[stephen_lee]

damn man that sucks.
yea a guy w/ a gt had the same problem. its weird

at 98xxx miles too