Results 1 to 19 of 19

Thread: How to change the ignition coil?

  1. #1
    Van Fan AnotherUser's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1986, 2wd
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    99
    Rep Power
    1

    How to change the ignition coil?

    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

  2. #2
    Forum Newbie
    My Van(s):
    1988 4 wheel drive
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    california
    Posts
    10
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

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

  3. #3
    Van Fan
    My Van(s):
    1987 4x4 TV.
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Hilo Hawaii
    Posts
    36
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

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

  4. #4
    Van Obsessed
    My Van(s):
    1988 4WD LE auto dual range t-case (the mistress) 1988 4WD LE auto(the donut van)
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, Wa
    Posts
    768
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

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

  5. #5
    Forum Newbie
    My Van(s):
    1988 4 wheel drive
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    california
    Posts
    10
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

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

  6. #6
    Van Fan
    My Van(s):
    1987 4x4 TV.
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Hilo Hawaii
    Posts
    36
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

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

  7. #7
    Van Obsessed
    My Van(s):
    1988 4WD LE auto dual range t-case (the mistress) 1988 4WD LE auto(the donut van)
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, Wa
    Posts
    768
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

    Quote Originally Posted by vantex View Post
    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.

  8. #8
    Forum Newbie
    My Van(s):
    1988 4 wheel drive
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    california
    Posts
    10
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

    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.

  9. #9
    Van Obsessed
    My Van(s):
    1988 4WD LE auto dual range t-case (the mistress) 1988 4WD LE auto(the donut van)
    Join Date
    Aug 2012
    Location
    Tacoma, Wa
    Posts
    768
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

    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/s...gnition+timing
    http://www.toyotavantech.com/forum/s...gnition+timing

  10. #10
    Van Fan
    My Van(s):
    1987 4x4 TV.
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Hilo Hawaii
    Posts
    36
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

    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.

  11. #11
    Van Enthusiast LightBlueToy's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1987 4wd 5spd
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    153
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

    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:





    Any idea what would cause this? Wondering if i need a whole new Distributor or just a coil?
    Last edited by LightBlueToy; 06-11-2018 at 08:18 PM.

  12. #12
    Van Fan
    My Van(s):
    1986 Toyota van
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Tucson,Az
    Posts
    57
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

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

  13. #13
    Van Addict boogieman's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1989 4x4 5 speed dlx 1987 4x4 5 speed cargo 1987 4x4 5 speed LE 1987 2wd 5 speed cargo conversion 1989 2wd auto cargo parts van
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    abq, nm
    Posts
    319
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

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

  14. #14
    Van Fan
    My Van(s):
    1986 Toyota van
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Tucson,Az
    Posts
    57
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

    Or some kind of epoxy or gorilla glue

  15. #15
    Van Enthusiast LightBlueToy's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1987 4wd 5spd
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    153
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

    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 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:

    Name:  catavan.jpg
Views: 877
Size:  18.8 KB

  16. #16
    Forum Newbie
    My Van(s):
    1988 4x4 manual 4ye(cal) 1985 2wd auto 3y
    Join Date
    Jun 2018
    Location
    lummi island
    Posts
    4
    Rep Power
    0

    Re: How to test igniter?

    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.

  17. #17
    Van Enthusiast LightBlueToy's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1987 4wd 5spd
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    153
    Rep Power
    1

    Re: How to test igniter?

    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

  18. #18
    Van Fan AnotherUser's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1986, 2wd
    Join Date
    Jun 2014
    Location
    Pacific Northwest
    Posts
    99
    Rep Power
    1

    How to remove distributor without losing timing?

    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?

  19. #19
    Administrator llamavan's Avatar
    My Van(s):
    1985 5-sp cargo (Trustyvan) . . . . 1989 5-sp 4WD DLX (Skylervan)
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    PNW
    Posts
    1,813
    Rep Power
    10

    Re: How to change the ignition coil?

    1985 5-speed window cargo van set up for llama haulin'; 345K ("Trustyvan")
    1989 4WD 5-speed DLX; 410K and an odd sense of humor ("Skylervan")

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •