4age won't start after a timing belt job

j2ndof8
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Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:49 am

4age won't start after a timing belt job

Postby j2ndof8 » Sat Jan 04, 2014 12:23 pm

Alright guys, I really need some help here.
I have an 87 corolla FX-16, 5-speed manual, FWD with a 4age engine.
About two months ago the timing belt shredded in half due to the engine mount bolts shearing in half and falling into the timing shroud. So, I dug the other half of the bolts out of the crankcase, replaced the timing belt, put the engine mount back on, and... no spark. I've replaced the Ignition control module and the coil. I've measured ohms on both coils in the distributor and they're fine.

Here's the procedure I used to time it:
with all belts removed, I:
1) Set the cams to their timing marks(and checked the inlet cam through the oil filler cap to be sure)
2) Set the first piston to TDC, on compression.
3) Put the belt on(none of the pulleys or sprockets moved while I was putting the belt on).
4) Manually turned the crankshaft 720 degrees - both the cams and the crank pulley were still lined up as they had been.

Then, I pulled the distributor out to check its coils and clean it. When I put it back in, I once again made sure that the 1st piston was at TDC compression, and that the dimple on the distributor rotor shaft and the distributor housing lined up, and when I put it back in, I did my best to keep the rotor from turning more than necessary. It seemed to pretty much line up with the 1st cylinder contact point in the distributor cap after that procedure.

Still no spark.

I've measured the coil, primary and secondary; I've got 12V to the positive coil lead when the key is on start or run; the distro rotor IS spinning.

As near as I can tell, the injectors are firing - it certainly smells like they are firing - indicating, *in my mind*, that the ECU is getting signal from both coils in the distributor.

But still no spark!!!

I would love some help guys. I'm banging my head here.

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jondee86
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Re: 4age won't start after a timing belt job

Postby jondee86 » Sat Jan 04, 2014 1:26 pm

- No wiring plugs undone down low where they are hard to see ?
- Igniter bolted down and getting a good ground for the outer case ?
- #1 cylinder definitely TDC on compression stroke (not exhaust) ?
- Do you get spark when you take a plug out and ground it ?
- Plugs clean and dry ?

Cheers... jondee86
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
depends on the unreasonable man.

j2ndof8
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2014 11:49 am

Re: 4age won't start after a timing belt job

Postby j2ndof8 » Mon Jan 06, 2014 11:07 am

jondee - Thank you so much!! It was a broken ground wire!
I've been chasing this problem for two months. This is very relieving. Thanks again!

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jondee86
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Location: Wellington, New Zealand

Re: 4age won't start after a timing belt job

Postby jondee86 » Mon Jan 06, 2014 2:37 pm

Good to know you got it sorted. Nothing worse than a car that don't run :)

Cheers... jondee86
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one
persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore, all progress
depends on the unreasonable man.