The coil in mine is a TEC but it doesn't look quite like the picture.I see theA and B terminal but not the secondary terminal.Also when I test it what setting for Ohms do I use on the meter the +- one,200 or I think 2k.I can do this with the distributor off of the car right?I also identify the ICM ,which I'm taking to Autozone for them to test and what exactly is the igniter?

 

The output terminal on the coil is the one that sticks up and touches the contact in the cap.

The "Igniter" is the "ICM." Two names for the same part.

 

Ok so I took both of my distributors down to Autozone to have the ICM tested and they said they couldn't test that kind.So what I did was swap out the coil from one to the other creating a mixmatch of parts from each distributor to see if maybe one part or the other was bad in either one but it doesn't matter the car still just turns.I'm going to try and test both distributors today and probably go ahead and change the spark plugs just to try that.Is there any chance a wire leading to the distributor could be faulty?I still don't get how it fired up 10 times in a row then just died again.Thanks for your help and input.

 

Prior to throwing parts ($$$) at the problem, I would suggest you do the ICM Input tests detailed in the posted picture.

 

Yeah I am going to test that when i get home tonight.That is power in 12v going to the ICM right?

 

You should measure 12v from either small terminal of the coil to ground whenever the key is on. If you're not getting sparks from the coil, new plugs won't help.

 

you might have just gotten REALLY unlucky. my celica had the excact same prob. i posted up on the forums. they pretty much told me the same thing everyone here is telling you. i jez went to advanced auto parts and got a rebuild one, kinda expensive but it worked and never died again. im not sure if u have the same prob as my celica did but im just letting you know, it is a possibility u were REALLY unlucky.

 

Yeah If these distributors weren't so much I would just buy a "new" one and try it out.I paid $75 for a "rebuilt" one that worked for a few hours lol.I will do the testing tonight.

 

Ok so last night I tested power to the the ICM and both the black/yellow and green/yellow have power.I checked the coil for ohm resistance but I didn't know what setting to put my meter on to test that(there were 3 options) so I tested with all 3 and none of them gave me a reading of .6-.7 like I was supposed to get.I tested both distributors.I guess Im going to just take the "rebuilt" back and get my money and put it towards another distributor and just hope both of the the coils in the ones I have are the issue.