97' Won't Start-No Spark

[JMat]

I have a '97 SR5 with the 3.4 that I picked up not too long ago was working fine one day and two days later wouldn't start.

I've gone through and checked resistance on the fuel pump and it's within spec. Also while checking all the plugs for sparks I could smell some unburned fuel at the exhaust pipe so I'm pretty sure fuel isn't a problem too.

FSM says to check resistance for cam position sensor and crank position sensor. As a test on my '98, I've owned for 16 years, the engine started and ran with the cam position sensor disconnected so I'm not sure why that would recommend checking that. Will the engine run with the crank position sensor disconnected as well(I ask because it's not as easy to get to as the cam position sensor).

I pulled the igniter and it used it on my '98 and it started fine. What would you check next? There are no CEL codes.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Nope, the engine dies without the crank sensor connected.

If you have no spark but the igniter works in your other ride, check the wires going to the connector of the igniter as well as make sure that all grounds are connected. Did you check for spark on all coils/wires?

How are the battery cables?

 

[JMat]

Nope, the engine dies without the crank sensor connected.

If you have no spark but the igniter works in your other ride, check the wires going to the connector of the igniter as well as make sure that all grounds are connected. Did you check for spark on all coils/wires?

How are the battery cables?

Battery cables are in great shape and starter engages and engine spins well.

I went through, checked all grounds and cleaned up the metal around them all. I check for spark on all three drivers side spark plugs(figuring with a wasted spark system it would tell me what's going on with the others) and there's no spark on any of the three. When trying to start the engine there isnt even a hint of any cylinder trying to fire, no smell of combustion coming out of the exhaust either.

 

[BoomerBob]

If no spark in any cylinder then I would track it back from the coil packs. The wiring harness isn't hard too get at to see if you have power going to the coil packs. If none then track back to whatever sends the signal and provides the current to those coils.

Just thinking out loud using the "suck, bang, blow" method of figuring out the air, compression, spark any engine needs to run.

 

[MaineRunna]

Hook a code reader to it, go to data and see if it shows RPM while you crank it. It should show about 150-250 RPM while cranking, if it shows 0 replace the crank sensor. Kind of rare though, never had to replace one on almost any Toyota. Check your wiring and connectors also.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Any other funky electrical things going on? May be the PCM.

But rule out the crank sensor first, and the wiring going to it.

 

[JMat]

Hook a code reader to it, go to data and see if it shows RPM while you crank it. It should show about 150-250 RPM while cranking, if it shows 0 replace the crank sensor. Kind of rare though, never had to replace one on almost any Toyota. Check your wiring and connectors also.

Kind of funny... Most all the posts I read here say the same thing about crankshaft position sensors and it did show 0 rpm so it seems it is the crank sensor and once I got the connector apart(pain in the rear because previous owner moved things around) the crank sensor had 0 continuity so I'll be ordering one from Toyota tomorrow. I just want to thank you all for your help.

 

[MaeMarks]

Was it the crankshaft?

 

[JMat]

Was it the crankshaft?

Yes... The crankshaft position sensor was bad.