97 Camry died and won't start--Ignition problems

[Lee McDaniel]

My 1997 Camry (4 cylinder) died today while driving down the street;
the engine just shut down and would not start again. Initial
troubleshooting with inductive timing light shows that there is spark
on all cylinders except #3. I began checking the coil pack with ohm
meter (13.4k) on the secondary and checked the plug feeding the pack.
Pin 1 has 12+V, 3 has 5V and 2 is supposed to read between 0.1 and
4.5V while cranking (according to Haynes), but doesn't. I haven't had
time to check continuity on 4 to ground, but voltage was zero so I am
assuming that it's OK for now. I'm open to the idea that the DMM I am
using isn't able to read fast enough to register a change on pin 2, so
maybe it's good--dunno. When these coil packs go bad, does only one
side work, and not the other? Wouldn't the ohm reading be out of spec
if it did? What other componenets are between the computer and the
coil pack that can be tested?

I've seached around on this group a bit and found a few similar
situations, but no resolution. Anybody got any ideas about this or
know where else to look for help? This is my only means of
transportation and I don't have enough money to let the guys at the
dealership try part-swapping at my expense. Any replies are
appreciated.

-Lee

[MUADIB®]

I have no exacting iea on the cause, but would like to know what you
find out once it's cured.
I had a car do the same thing on me once, turned out to be timing belt
sheared some teeth ( not on my Camry though)....................That's
how much fun these "just died" problems can be.

Remove "YOURPANTIES" to reply MUADIB®

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/ssterile/MAIN%20PAGE.html

It's is not, it isn't ain't, and it's it's, not its, if you mean it is. If you don't, it's its.
Then too, it's hers. It isn't her's. It isn't our's either. It's ours, and likewise yours
and theirs. -- Oxford University Press, Edpress News

[IceMan]

Hello Lee,

Your 97 Camry has OBD II diagnostic system which should have registered an
error code by now, get a SCAN TOOL from ebay or
http://www.autoxray.com/products.aspx?sub=scanners&id=31 or just get a code
reader to read OTC code.

If you're willing to go through intensive testing then check technical
articles at www.autoshop101.com.

BTW, ECM will shut down fuel pump based on multiple sensors readings so test
12V at fuel pump to verify if this is a
case.(http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h24.pdf)

Could you provide more details of what you observe while cranking and what
you are perceiving.

"Lee McDaniel" <phre...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:95a76250.04030...@posting.google.com...

[@byplane.com Jason James]

"IceMan" <badmi...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:P1E3c.184029$hR.33...@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...

> Hello Lee,
>
> Your 97 Camry has OBD II diagnostic system which should have registered an
> error code by now, get a SCAN TOOL from ebay or
> http://www.autoxray.com/products.aspx?sub=scanners&id=31 or just get a
code
> reader to read OTC code.
>
> If you're willing to go through intensive testing then check technical
> articles at www.autoshop101.com.
>
> BTW, ECM will shut down fuel pump based on multiple sensors readings so
test
> 12V at fuel pump to verify if this is a
> case.(http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h24.pdf)
>
> Could you provide more details of what you observe while cranking and what
> you are perceiving.

Great idea if he can learn to extract the codes. In the mean time he maybe
confused if the EMC is shutting down fuel supply.
He is reasonabley certain one ignition cct is out to lunch, so perhaps if he
double checks that by interrupting the HT (spark) to that cyl, then observe
if the spark jumps the gap, while the engine is cranked. Maybe the spark
lead can be withdrawn from the plug-top by 1/4 inch, then listen for the
arc-noise or better, if the lead can be withdrawn from its coil?? Haven't
tried this so I dont know if it can be done without damaging anything.

Jason

[Lee McDaniel]

Well guys, the KISS approach worked again. While I was looking the engine
over this afternoon, I took a look at the timing belt. While turning the
crank, I noticed that the camshaft wasn't moving with it. BINGO! Found
several teeth missing off of the belt at the crankshaft pulley. Does anybody
know if these engines have enough clearance between valve and piston to not
cause damage with lost timing? And hey, how about that crankshaft pulley
bolt? Any tricks or tips for locking down the flywheel so I can get that
sucker off? And thanks for your suggestions so far...might get a scan tool
anyway just to keep on hand....

-Lee

"Jason James" <flyhi @byplane.com> wrote in message
news:QqK3c.97388$Wa.5...@news-server.bigpond.net.au...

[Sofjan]

Hi
I believe Toyota engine is of no interference type thus you should be okay on
the Valve and piston damage.
I usually uses impact wrench to loosen the crankshaft pulley. Harbor Freight
has a 19.8Volt rechargeable 1/2 inch impact wrench/driver. it is only $119.
Some home mechanic bought those instead of air compressor plus the air driven
impact wrench.

In a pinch you could jammed the crankshaft to immobilized it and take off the
crankshaft without impact wrench but it is not a good idea. you could caused
more problem,

Also while you have everything opened up. Change all the belts too. power
steering belt, A/C &Altenator belt.
Check if Oil pump and water is okay or not, There are several seal around the
crankshaft that should be changed if it looks bad.
his will avoid latter problem .