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paragon_64
New User
Sep 15, 2009, 9:07 AM
Post #1 of 5
(1949 views)
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Fuse blowing problem
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I have a 94 Toyota Camry with the 2.2 4 cyl. motor (160,000 miles). About 3 weeks ago the car would not start but turned over real strong. I isolated the problem to the coil and put an ohm meter on it and found it to be out of range from the specs in the Haynes manual and so I replaced it. New one in, car started right up. Drove for two weeks and the wife pulls into the drive, shuts the car off, won't start again. Same symptoms as before (turns over strong, won't start), with the exception that I found the 30amp AM2 fuse to be blown, so I replaced it. New one in, try to start car, blows AM2 fuse again. Fuse blows just by turning the key without starter motor contact. Have I got a bad coil or is something else happening? Any pointers would be much appreciated.
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 16, 2009, 9:41 AM
Post #2 of 5
(1942 views)
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Re: Fuse blowing problem
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With your ohmmeter; test whether the coil is shorted to ground. Leave the coil connected electrically and back probe the positive terminal, ignition off. Positive lead of the meter too the positive terminal of the coil; negative lead too battery neg; the resistance value should be very high if not infinite. By back probe; I mean to slide something like a safety pin inside the connector, along the length of the wire, until it bottoms out. That will usually make a connection with the internal metal wire terminal. Now use the safety pin or paperclip for your test connections. Dan. Canadian "EH"
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paragon_64
New User
Sep 16, 2009, 8:42 PM
Post #3 of 5
(1933 views)
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Re: Fuse blowing problem
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Thanks for the reply DanD. I was a little ahead of your post in that I had already started to run down wiring to see if I had a short. When I didn't find anything, I pulled the distributor cap and put the ohm meter on the coil and found primary resistance was out of spec (Haynes says should run .4 to .5, was fluctuating between .6 and .7). I went ahead and pulled the coil and found that 1 of the two wire leads that go to the positive terminal on the coil was severed. Its the short lead that goes to a small round device that bolts to the distributor housing (I'm not sure what it is called. I think that it is some kind of capacitor). I'm not sure if this is my problem or a symptom of the problem since the insulation was slightly black, I don't know if it shorted or was the short but since I had just replaced the coil a few weeks back, I thought maybe I might have crimped it putting everything back together. I haven't been able to ID this part yet and I don't know if it can be purchased separate from the distributor. I'm hoping it can be since the little clip that holds it bolts to the housing with a small bolt. Any ideas what this part might be?
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DanD
Veteran
/ Moderator
Sep 17, 2009, 4:05 AM
Post #4 of 5
(1927 views)
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Re: Fuse blowing problem
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If it’s what I think it is; you’re right; a capacitor/condenser. They use these capacitor’s for radio noise frequency reduction. It’s to stop or reduce that buzzing noise, which we use to hear/see in our radios and TVs; when something like an old lawn mower was running. Also; if by chance the person that’s pushing that lawn mower, has a heart pacemaker. This frequency (with out the capacitor), coming off of the ignition coil; could send the pacemaker off on an Olympic 100 yard dash or shut it down all together. Either way it would not be a good thing; besides, if that would happen; it would really screw up what we were watching on TV. We have to stop, call the paramedics and then go out and shut the mower off; you can’t do all that during the commercials. LOL If we are talking about the capacitor; for testing purposes, disconnect it; if the fuse holds, try starting the engine. The ignition system doesn’t need it to work. I can’t see why it wouldn’t be sold separately from the distributor; but you never know? The dealer would be your best bet to get one. This isn’t a great picture but is this, what you’re talking about? Dan Canadian "EH"
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paragon_64
New User
Sep 19, 2009, 10:19 AM
Post #5 of 5
(1915 views)
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Re: Fuse blowing problem
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Hey Dan, Thanks for the post and the pic. The configuration is a little different, but that looks very similar to the part I'm talking about. NAPA was able to order it for me. Under 10 bucks with freight. Small price to pay to keep all those pacemakers in check. While I'm waiting on it though, I think I will go ahead an throw the coil back on like you say an give er a try and see if that was the problem. I'll try an post up later today if I get a chance (wifes got a "to do" list a meter long) with the results. I really appreciate all your help on this. Good Day "Eh"! Scott
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