RANDOM no spark / start 1993 Toyota Camry 2.2

My daughter's 1993 Toyota Camry 2.2 is making me crazy with a random, no spark / start problem.

It started out a few weeks ago and wouldn't start after sitting overnight or several hours. Great cranking but wouldn't start.

It's sitting in my garage now and will alternately start right up and run fine or simply not start, with no spark.

I removed the distributor, bench tested the components, verified the proper voltage to the coil etc.

Any idea what I could be missing?

PS Initially I noticed that releasing the fuel cap (now replaced) would allow it to start initially. Probably just a coincidence and kicking the tires would have had the same results.

Based on what I've read on the forum this sounds like a classic intermittent coil failure. When you checked it did you tap on it at the same time? If you start shotgunning parts I would start there. After that the igniter and the crankshaft sensor would be on my list. If you need a manual the 94 Camry manual at the top of the forum should help. Have you looked at the Autozone manuals?

If you don't have a junkyard near you try these guys: http://www.taprecycling.net/ They're up near Sacramento.

I agree - Coil is best bet. Ignitor is not very likely. See if you have any codes stored to help with your diagnosis.

I agree - Coil is best bet. Ignitor is not very likely. See if you have any codes stored to help with your diagnosis.

Thanks - There's a guy on eBay selling complete distributors for $99. They include the coils and postion sensor.

'Total shotgun approach.

OK, I replaced the distributor assembly (a new one complete with all parts) and there's still no spark.

I do have 12v power to the distributor.

Besides springing for an ECM, is there anything else that the group could recommend?

Ignitor

Thanks Brian. Where the heck is the ignitor anyway? I tried searching for online and couldn't find any reference to it.

If it's in the distributor, I think I've already replaced it.

It's on the wheel well across from the distributor. It says Ignitor on it (usually). Are you sure your coil is in the distributor?

I found the ignitor (thanks) and replaced it with a used one from the local wrecker.

Nope, that didn't do it either and I have a constant, no spark condition. I double checked all the connections etc.

Here's a long shot that I could use help with:

When the problem first started, removing the gas cap would release either built up pressure -or- vaccum. The car would run well the rest of the day.

Until now, I assumed this was just a random thing that was more concidence than fact.

Is their something on the Camry that does cut out ignition if there's no pressure / too much pressure in the fuel tank?

I noticed today that there was a "thunk" kinda' sound when I removed the cap.

Keith (with lots of spare Camry parts)

I didn't see any reference to you having replacing the coil. Did you replace the coil? It is not in the distributor. It is next to the igniter.

I have a 1994 Toyota Camry 2.2 and when my car was having the same problem, on the right side of your distributor is a connector that plugs into the distributor. Take the cover off and turn the ignition on but do not try and start the car. check for 12 VDC where it comes inside thedistributor. If you have 12 volts or more there then I would consider replacing the distributor again. I bought one at Autozone when my car wouldn't fire at all and tried it and it didn't help. Did everything and the book pointed back to the distributor. I went and got another one and put it in and the car has ran fine every since...I thought the ignitor replaced the coil......good luck....problems like that are sometimes hard to fix. read the online manual and it can really save you a lot of money not buying needless parts......

I didn't see any reference to you having replacing the coil. Did you replace the coil? It is not in the distributor. It is next to the igniter.

Yes, I did replace the coil. It's inside the distributor.

OK, here it is.

Believe it or not, the random no spark condition is absolutely linked to the fuel tank.

If I remove the cap / release tank pressure or vacuum, I get great spark and the car runs fine.

Let it sit for a while, no spark / no start. Remove the cap again, starts right up and no problems.

I've spent a ton of time looking for the manual for any type of sensor the might tell the ECM to not provide ignition?

Any ideas?

Yes, I did replace the coil. It's inside the distributor.

Sorry, my mistake. You're correct for that year.

Try replacing the tank cap.???

When the problem first started, removing the gas cap would release either built up pressure -or- vaccum. The car would run well the rest of the day.

Until now, I assumed this was just a random thing that was more concidence than fact.

Is their something on the Camry that does cut out ignition if there's no pressure / too much pressure in the fuel tank?

I very much doubt it. And you said that used to be the case? If not now, then apparently it's nothing to do with that. But it's easy to check: When the car has been standing for a while (days) there's no pressure in the tank. And obviously the car is supposed to start then! So - remove the gas cap, and see if you have a spark. If not, then it's not connected to what you describe.

Try replacing the tank cap.???

I did that at the beginning. It didn't change anything at all.

Are there any fuel tank sensors or switches that might signal the ECM to not send power to the distributor or ignitor?

I found the ignitor (thanks) and replaced it with a used one from the local wrecker.

Any possibility the used ignitor is DOA? Just a WAG.
FWIW
YMMV

This morning, I found that I had a plugged charcoal cannister.

There's one line that feeds the cannister's check valves that control fuel tank high pressure and high vacuum (both symtoms that I had).

It starts right up now, runs great (in the garage so far) and still has me puzzled.

Why the heck does the high fuel tank pressure or high vacuum caused by the canister cut out the spark?

Is there in fact something that tells the ECM "don't run" under these conditions?

Here's some reading for you - courtesy of the FAQ thread.
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h20.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h22.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h23.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h24.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h25.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h26.pdf
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h27.pdf

Thanks a bunch for all of your help.

It continues to start and run (as it should).

Thanks for keeping us up to speed. This is certainly a problem and a fix worth remebering. It's one for the "I'll be damned" list. Glad to hear all is well now.

I've read some believe toping off a gas tank can destroy a canister. Could that be why yours was plugged? I have a 94 and 87 and top them off all the time. Not absolutely to the brime but, some. What a canister has to do with no spark is still a mystery to me. Well worth remebering though. Cheers