1998 Toyota Corolla ignition coil spark test?

Hello,

This may seem like a silly question but after removing the rotor arm for replacement on my UK spec 1998 Toyota Corolla 4A-FE 1.6 engine with distributor and AC pick up coil arrangement I removed the ignition coil plastic cover and I cannot see where you would obtain a spark from this type of ignition coil?

By contrast my old '97 Honda Civic had a tower on the ignition coil that you could test for spark there, but no such tower on the Toyota ignition coil.

I read in Paul's excellent engine performance diagnostics book that you should always check for spark at both the spark plug and the ignition coil. Where do you test for ignition coil spark on this type of coil design?

No problem with the car, just curious.

Thanks

Steve

Ignition systems are so varied that thses days there is no one size fits all testing method, I haven't seen that particular video yet ( looks like I have some homework to do ) but what I would think Paul was trying to get over was to do a proper diagnosis rather than just fire the ignition parts shot gun.
I tend to use a low cost spark tester tool on the end of the plug wire as that way I can get a consistant "stress test" on the secondary spark strength and insulation, a good spark will jump at least the width of your finger or a really good one the width of your thumb.
What you can also do is is test the plug wire insulation looking for sparks leaping to earth with a water spray and tungsten test light connected to ground.
You can also test the plug wire continuity with multimeter Link to NGK offical test method,

Could you show me a picture of this distributor? If I'm understanding correctly, then this is a coil-in-cap design, with no external ignition coil?

If that's the case, then you're pretty much down to spark strength testing at the cap posts, like Andy described. Testing the coil by itself, in this case, would probably require you to remove the coil from the distributor.

At least the Honda coil-in-cap design had the coil output facing the cap, so you could do coil stress testing if you wanted. :lol:

I would think it will be this type

Andy.MacFadyen wrote: I would think it will be this type

Thanks for the replies. Yes this is the type of ignition coil fitted

Stephen

Gotcha. Yeah, kinda a lame setup from a diagnostic perspective. Makes me think of the 3.0L Saab engine that ended up in the first gen Saturn Vue:



No injectors OR ignition coils are accessible without intake removal...

Totally agree it is a lame setup. Shame really because everything else (with the exception of the starter motor) is really easy to access. Thanks for clearing that up.

Stephen

Comparing a v6 Saab to a nice little corolla?! You've gone too far Tyler! Hahaha

The difference is the corolla doesn't actually need diagnosing.


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matt.white wrote: Comparing a v6 Saab to a nice little corolla?! You've gone too far Tyler! Hahaha

The difference is the corolla doesn't actually need diagnosing.

Hah! :lol: The real difference is that the Corolla is actually worth fixing. :silly:

Haha totally agree man. Just gotta be careful how harsh I get when joking with relative strangers.


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Sadly GM ruined SAAB a once great quality manufacturer.