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Spark Test: Tacoma

  1. Remove necessary components for access to ignition coils located on top of valve cover. Disconnect electrical connectors at ignition coils. Remove retaining bolts and ignition coils from valve cover. Remove spark plugs. Install spark plug on each ignition coil. Reinstall electrical connectors on ignition coils.
    2. CAUTION: To prevent gasoline from being injected, DO NOT crank engine for longer than 2 seconds when checking for spark.
  2. Ground spark plugs against cylinder block. Crank engine and check for spark. Spark test is based on the assumption that spark plugs are okay. If spark does not exist, go to next step. If spark exists, reinstall components. Tighten spark plugs to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and ignition coil retaining bolts to 66 INCH lbs. (7.5 N.m).
  3. Check ignition coil electrical connections. If electrical connections are okay, go to next step. If electrical connections are defective, repair as necessary and recheck for spark.
  4. Install different ignition coil on spark plug and recheck for spark. If spark still does not exist, go to next step. If spark now exists with different ignition coil, replace original ignition coil. Reinstall components. Tighten spark plugs to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and ignition coil retaining bolts to 66 INCH lbs. (7.5 N.m).
  5. Turn ignition on. Using voltmeter, check for battery voltage at ignition coil positive terminal (Black/Red wire). If battery voltage exists, go to next step. If battery voltage does not exist, check Black/Red wire between ignition switch and ignition coil. See appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article in ELECTRICAL.
  6. Check resistance of camshaft position sensor. See CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR . If camshaft position sensor resistance is within specification, go to next step. If camshaft position sensor resistance is not within specification, replace camshaft position sensor. See CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR under IGNITION SYSTEMS in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION - 4-CYLINDER article.
  7. Check resistance of crankshaft position sensor. See CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR . If crankshaft position sensor resistance is within specification, go to next step. If crankshaft position sensor resistance is not within specification, replace crankshaft position sensor. See CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR under IGNITION SYSTEMS in REMOVAL & INSTALLATION - 4-CYLINDER article.
  8. Check ignition IGT signal from Engine Control Module (ECM) to ignition coil. If ignition IGT signal from ECM is defective, Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P0351, P0352, P0353 or P0354 will be set in ECM memory to indicate an ignitor circuit malfunction. See TESTING PROCEDURE under SELF-DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM in appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article for retrieving of DTCs.
  9. If ignition IGT signal is okay, substitute another ignition coil and recheck system operation. If ignition IGT signal is defective, check wiring between ECM and ignition coil. See ENGINE CONTROL MODULE LOCATION  table. See appropriate SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS article in ELECTRICAL. If wiring is defective, repair wiring as necessary and recheck system operation. If wiring is okay, substitute another ECM and recheck system operation. Reinstall components. Tighten spark plugs to 15 ft. lbs. (20 N.m) and ignition coil retaining bolts to 66 INCH lbs. (7.5 N.m).
    ENGINE CONTROL MODULE LOCATION

    Model (1) Location
    Camry & Camry Solara Behind Glove Box
    Celica In Engine Compartment, Below Cover, Just In Front Of Battery, Next To Driver's Side Strut Tower
    Corolla & Matrix Behind Stereo On Instrument Panel, Just In Front Of Center Console
    ECHO & Highlander Behind Glove Box
    MR2 On Inside Of Firewall, Directly Behind Driver's Seat & Luggage Compartment
    Prius Behind Glove Box
    RAV4 Near Passenger's Side Kick Panel, Just Below Instrument Panel
    Tacoma Behind Glove Box
    (1) For illustration of ECM location, see SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - 4-CYLINDER article.
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