How to change the ignition coil?

[AnotherUser]

Can anyone share how they changed their ignition coil without having to remove the distributor?

If you have to remove the distributor, what is involved with putting it back on?

Thanks

[vantex]

also would like to know the process on this. I will share if i find more info..

[IronViking]

I was wondering the same. I read that you had to replace the distributor and coil together.

[originalkwyjibo]

Try here. http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?631-dead-van
It's covered in post #15-19.

[vantex]

thank you originalkwyjibo. from that thread it sound like just the coil was changed. good cause I don't want to do timing

[IronViking]

Awesome, Im swapping in my extra from my parts van. Thanks for the response and the link.

[originalkwyjibo]

good cause I don't want to do timing
It's a good idea to check timing anytime you mess with ignition components and really isn't that tough especially if you're already in there changing the coil.

[vantex]

I see. Possible without a timing light? Is this outlined in the manual? Basically what does set timing consist of? I just thought it was difficult from past vehicles I had.

[originalkwyjibo]

You will need a timing light. It is covered in the manual. Here's a couple links to check out. http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?57-Engine-Service-Connector-not-working-can-t-set-proper-ignition-timing&highlight=Ignition+timing
http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?867-Ignition-Timing-question&highlight=Ignition+timing

[IronViking]

I pulled mine out and replaced the coil no problem, slid it right back in to place, no timing necessary. I just matched it back to where to where I marked the cinch bolt with a sharpie. Easy cheesy, thanks guys.

[LightBlueToy]

UPDATE WITH PICS: Got an igniter from JDMVANMAN (thanks!) and put it in today but that didn't get the van started. I went to test the coil per the fsm and saw this:

https://i.imgur.com/Org0w41.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ldNpuK0.jpg

Any idea what would cause this? Wondering if i need a whole new Distributor or just a coil?

[Jtbechtold]

Looks like you just need a coil. You can get them anywhere

[boogieman]

kinda looks like jb weld! weird...whats the cap look like?

[Jtbechtold]

Or some kind of epoxy or gorilla glue

[LightBlueToy]

It does haha, just melted plastic though I guess. The cap looked fine, I changed the cap and rotor not all that long ago with Toyota stuff. Duralast :doh: coil from autozone got it running. Some of those screws securing the coil as well as the distributor cap are not fun. Thanks for the moral support everyone

Also thanks to my helper:

7098

[lummivan]

You replaced the coil without removing the distributor? I just did mine, didnt even want to try thos bottom 2 screws, just yanked the whole distributor.

[LightBlueToy]

Yeah, it was really only the one next to the block that was hard. The dipstick and fuel line coming off the fuel filter create quite a puzzle. I went through 5 different screwdrivers to find the right combo of length and unobtrusive handle. A thin long 8" or so phillips would have been the ticket I think if I had one. Or one of those right angle screw drivers maybe. But yeah, the amoubt of time it took me fiddling with it I probably could have pulled the whole distributor

[AnotherUser]

I need to replace my ignition coil and am having a hard time accessing the bottom inner screw. It seems to be stripped out. At this point I am thinking about removing the distributor to get access to the ignition coil screw.

What is the best way to remove the distributor and not lose the timing?

[llamavan]

Comments in another thread from Tim (https://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/showthread.php?27-Basic-Van-knowledge-for-new-owners&p=18583&viewfull=1#post18583)

Gwen