The Electrical Riddle my car has become

[AI_G_Rhythm]

I'm stumped. I own a 1997 Toyota Corolla CE 1.8L. Here's the story.

I ran the POS outta gas. Got gas in it, but then it wouldn't start. We thought, "the injectors coulda got fried, but maybe there's just gunk in the fuel filter."

So we changed the fuel filter.

Didn't fix it. Still cranked like it wanted to start, but sounded rough, and dry.

We unhooked the gas line to the injectors, cranked it, and gas came out. So we know we've got fuel.

We checked for spark, and weren't getting it.

So we then changed the spark plugs, distrbutor cap, and rotor.

We then only got spark on one plug.

We switch wires around, trying different combinations to find that each of the four wires worked when plugged into the number three cyclinder.

The wires are fine, the plugs are new, the distributor cap and rotor are new, and I'm getting spark on number three only!

I figure the igniter and coil both must be good if I have spark on one.

(My method of "finding spark" was both with some fancy 'inductive light finder' or something and also just arcing the spark plug across the engine block.....not me, my mechanical friend)

If anyone's got even a trace of a hint in the right direction, I would love to hear it. It's confounding every mechanic I've posed it to thusfar. And, it's very well possible that the injectors are toast IN ADDITION to whatever strange electrical ghosts I've picked up, so I'm not holding out tons of hope. But it really sets me back to find new transportation, you all know how it goes. Thanks

[jdmccright]

THe spark should look hot and blue. Just because a coil sparks doesn't necessarily mean it's still good. Check the primary and secondary coil resistance. Also, check the stickies at the top of the forum for a service manual for your vehicle or engine. They should have the proper spark plug wire routing there. The distributor cap sometimes also has the cylinder numbers molded into the top for each terminal. Good luck!