1996 Prizm/Corolla - No spark

Asked by tjCIT Jul 03, 2016 at 09:03 PM about the 1996 Toyota Corolla Base

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

1996 Prizm LSI 1.8 Auto
  While getting a boost at work after leaving my
lights on the jumper cables where connected to the
wrong post, reversed, on my car.  I was inside the
car and attempted to start it then the person that
hooked them up noticed his error. Of course at that
point the car wouldn't make a sound. Trailered it
home at found that the 100 amp ALT fuseable link
was blown. Replaced it and still wouldn't start but
at least at this point it would crank over. Checked
all other fuses, found none blown. Distributor and
rotor was nasty so I went ahead and replaced
them, still no spark. Replaced the ignitor, no spark.
Tested the coil with ohm meter, tested good.
Replaced main engine relay, no spark.  Tried 3
different ECM'S, no spark. Granted that the 3 test
ecms were not the exact part number as the
original but I'm trying anything at this point.
Although the coil tested good I went ahead and
replaced it with a new one, still no spark. I am
getting power to the coil with the key on. I'm
thinking it is the ecm due to the fact that a code
reader will not communicate with it. I'd like to know
where I can test to see if it is getting power or any
other tips/suggestions.

2 Answers

44,805

maybe a burned wire? messing around with jumper cables is always bad practice just for this reason- maybe you will have to take it to a good mechanic now?

"Messing around" with jumper cables unfortunately is a necessary evil at times. Thanks for your informative insight jamnblues.

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