A few weeks ago, my 89 4Runner (22re) died at a stop sign. I thought I'd stalled it, but after a few cranks, and a few minutes with the hood up, I found I had no spark.

I've swapped in 2 other coils, a tested good dist/signal generator, and a good igniter (it was off of a V6 I was told, but it did plug right in)

I have 12V where I should going into the igniter. I also have +12 on both sides of the coil with the ignition switch on. Is that correct? Could the igniter have failed and fried the coil? Could it have fried the other coils I swapped in?

My coil ohm-tested bad, as did the brand new one I tested, although I didn't ohm-test it until after I gave it a try....

Can anyone explain how to test the operation of the igniter?

I'm a little tired if it just sitting in the yard, so any ideas are appreciated. Thanks! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Ya might do the quick n dirty check for the timing chain.

Pull cap off distributor; try and crank. If the engine cranks, but the rotor won't turn, it's TC time.

The '93 FSM in the sticky here in this section should be helpful to ya. Just make sure you're not using the 3.0 section.

The ignition writeup in the tech articles at www.autoshop101.com is pretty good too.

There is both an 88 and a 90 4runner FSM here.
Just scroll down and you will find it in the list of FSMs.

Why on earth would you think timing chain right off the bat? Cause you were right. I figured it out last night. There was no bad noise, no grinding, no indication that I had a mechanical problem.... Just no spark. So as I had test wires, and light bulbs, and the timing gun strung all over the engine compartment, and everything was fine, it dawned on me.... if the dist isn't turning, then I'd have no spark.... and if it's not turning, I have a much larger problem.... Bingo!

It was an Engnbldr kit with the metal guides too (about 30K on it).... The top section of the drivers side guide broke off, and jammed the chain and sprocket. Very strange. But the chain was resting perfectly centered so the broken ends were just dangling at the crank sprocket.... I don't know if I bent any valves yet, but it looks promising, they all go up and down smooth enough. I'll check the clearances today hopefully.

Thanks for the help! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

http://forum.ih8mud.com/3443463-post30.html

Cuz I had one leave me stranded by the road. Truck just stuttered to a stop. Luckily I didn't bang any valves either. If you can rent a borescope to shine down the plug holes, that's the least invasive way to inspect the tops of the pistons for a strike.

Pull and inspect your timing chain cover too; might be ground down some.

Quite the pic in the IH8MUD linky. You're gonna need to clean out your oil pan meester.

Hehe, from now on I'll be thinking timing chain when ever I have a weird problem too.....

Yeah, the pan and cover are coming off. I'm waiting for it to cool down some here before I head out.... This may turn into an engine rebuildish thing.... we'll see.

Good news. I threw a good used chain in there and checked the compression.... 157-185. That's good enough for me! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Here's the chain guide...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=242096&stc=1&d=1214979814

I didn't know they curved like that!
You dodged the bullet on that one.
I had a chain snap at 65mph and got lucky on that one.
It happens.
Danny

Update, I fired it up and drove it around, I definitely hit a valve somewhere... However, due to a large oil leak thanks to a broken timing cover (got too long of a bolt to replace the missing one under the distributer shaft) I'm pulling the head to take care of it all... And the more I think about it, the more I need to just overhaul it..... 304K....