No Spark.

[TooManyProjects]

Last week my 1990 Toyota Celica ST suddenly quit running in the middle of traffic. It has the 1.6L w/5 speed transmission(4 work). The RPM's would drop down suddenly and then return while idleing(like a missfire). Now it's not sparking. I checked all the fuses I could find. The distributor/coil was replaced but the distributor still isn't putting out any spark. Any ideas what could be the problem. Also, where is the computer(ECM/ECU) located?

[TooManyProjects]

OK. I found the computer and removed it. Either tommorrow or monday I'm going to replace it. If anyone has any other ideas as to what the problem could be, post it up.

[junkycarguy]

Check your "igniter unit" in the distributor(the ignition coil should be replaced along with it).All the spark,tach.,and just about everything runs though it.It's very common for those to go out,your tach might bounce,it just might die when you push in the clutch,or it might straight burn the f*ck out.Another thing is the distributor itself,distributors are tricky,they might not have an engine code and still be messed up.Cylinder sensors give codes most of the time,but there is that one chance they won't.Ecu's on the other hand should be the last thing to check.Good Luck

[TooManyProjects]

Thanks for the help. I pulled the current distributor, coil, igniter out of a car at the u-pull-it yard. It may be bad. I'm going to look for another one out of a wreck tomorrow. I already bought an ECM and installed it. That didn't fix the problem. It wasn't a complete waste of time though. I found a good straight trunk with intact hinges. Tomorrow I may get the passenger side door as well. The previous owners' passenger wrapped the door around a pole, as well as someone tried to break in.

[KimMG]

Check the condition of the cap and rotor.

[TooManyProjects]

Originally Posted by KimMG

Check the condition of the cap and rotor.

Those were all replaced less than 3K miles ago. I found the source of the problem yesterday. I was noticing everytime I tried to start the car the rotor would end up in the same position. Since I couldn't see the rotor from the drivers seat, I put a long piece of tape on it. (The tape was so I could see if the rotor turned) The rotor didn't turn. There is something wrong with the timing. Today I'm going to jack the car up, and remove the timing cover to see what went wrong. I checked the belt earlier, but I don't know much about imports. To set the timing, Do I turn the crank to TDC, turn the cams so the marks are at the top(12 o'clock position) and install the belt? Am I right about that?

[TooManyProjects]

I jacked the car up and took a look at the timing belt. The teeth had ripped off of the timing belt. That explains why the belt wasn't turning, but it still has some tension. I put the new belt on today. Tommorrow I'll finish up the re-assembly. I also noticed the woodruff key had snapped in half. I replaced that as well.

[TooManyProjects]

Thanks for the help everyone that replied.
I forgot to post an update. The day after I posted last^, I had the car running again. I replaced the belt with no problems whatsoever. It runs much better now. That was the farthest I've ever gotten into a FWD car.