1992 Toyota Celica Ignition Coil

BABYD

MEMBER
1992 TOYOTA CELICA
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
216,000 MILES

Hi, I have been having problem with my car as I drive down the road it will occassionally start jerking and the engine light will come on and the rpm needle will move erratic. I first notice this in like 2005 anyway in Nov of 2006 someone suggested an ignition coil, so I had one put on, and the problem went away for appx a year and some months then the same thing happen again so I had another one put on like Feb. Of this year the problem went away again, until appx 3 weeks ago. It seems it only does it when the car have been driven awhile(like when it gets hot) because It had never done it on the way to work in the morning, only when I'm on the way home from work after running several errands. It doesn't do it everyday but when it does sometime it cut off and it is kinda of hard to start back up. Could you please tell me any kind of suggestion that will help me. Thanking you in advance for your help.

Friday, August 29th, 2008 AT 4:40 PM

7 Replies

2CARPRO JACK

MECHANIC
11,533 POSTS

First thing is to see if there are any codes stored in the computer.Thisis done with asmall jumper wire inserted between 2 terminals int he diagnostic connector located under the hood (see pic)

Turn key on and count the flashes of the check engine light,teh light will flash with short intervals then long ones, with 21/2 second intervals between codes (see pic)

Did you use Toyota coils when you replaced them before? Toy's are kinda strange about OEM parts lasting longer for some reason.

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Saturday, August 30th, 2008 AT 7:40 AM

BABYD

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2 POSTS

Hi, No I didn't get the original Toyota Coil. The 2 that I had put on came from Advance Auto Parts Store. Okay, now I have a question. What is a Jumper Wire? And where do I get it from?

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Saturday, August 30th, 2008 AT 12:32 PM

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

You can use a paper clip bent to a "U" shape, or a short piece of wire with some small spade terminals crimped at both ends. You want to short the diagnostic terminals to put the ECM in field service mode. This will display the error codes, and it is also used to set the mechanical timing, since it removes all computer advance from the ECM.

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Sunday, August 31st, 2008 AT 7:02 AM

COGEE99

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hello, I would like to ask you something about starting problems. I have a Toyota Celica 2l Turbo, ans shortly I had to replace the engine because the original broke down. My problem is that this engine I put in won't start. I don't know why. It get's gas. It turns the engine but the power won't go any further from the coil to the spark plugs. Could you give me any advice?
Thanks

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Saturday, February 4th, 2012 AT 2:21 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

I'm confused, are the plugs getting spark? Check the compression and fuel pressure with key on, engine off.

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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 6:20 AM

COGEE99

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2 POSTS

No, it get's gas but no spark. The power doesen't get any further from the coil. At first I thought that the coil is damaged but it's working ok, I bought a new one but no result!

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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 5:38 PM

RIVERMIKERAT

MECHANIC
6,110 POSTS

Check the reluctor on the electronic ignition pickup in the distributor, make sure it's properly installed, gapped, and turning.

Check the coil by running a wire from the negative(tach) side and tapping it to ground while checking for spark from the coil lead. Check the wiring for the ignition system. You need a solid ground for the coil to fire when it is triggered.

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Monday, February 6th, 2012 AT 6:11 PM