We have a 93 Del Sol with 323,000 miles. Recently it started stalling for no apparent reason. Sometimes it will restart and sometimes the car needs to be pushed. The started motor always works. When it doesn't start a timing light shows no spark. If we leave the car alone for awhile it might restart.

I plan to check the coil and ignition module resistances today. Can those things be intermittent? A YouTube video I watched last night suggested the ignition switch. How can I confirm that?

Thanks.

 

Update: After removing the distributor cap I have decided that the coil is good but I'm not so sure about my results on the ecm tests. Tried to separate the 8 pin connector but it wouldn't come apart. Put it all back together and it started. Drove the car around the neighborhood for a few minutes when the Check Engine light came on. The engine started running rough and the tach would go crazy when trying to give the car some gas. The engine then stalled and won't restart. The engine code is 9 (cyp sensor)

We will try to separate the distributor connector and check the terminals as directed in the Haynes manual.

Are we heading in the right direction? Replacing the distributor doesn't sound like fun.

 

Crazy tach needle likely indicates something with the igniter circuit.

 

This^ would be a separate problem from the jumping tach.

 

Maybe the connector he is struggling with getting apart has a bad connection across several pins? Do both the tach signal and the CYP signal run through the same 8-pin distributor connector?

 

That's possible.

 

You have to detach the distributor connectors from the metal bracket first. Then you can press the other latch and unplug them. There is a locking mechanism they will not come unplugged while on the metal bracket.

Once unplugged, distributor sensors can be checked with an ohmmeter. Of course you need to warm up the car until it malfunctions to have a meaningful test.

 

Thanks for your tips and assistance. The car is somewhat burried under snow and ice so trouble shooting will have to wait for better weather. I'll let you know what we decide once we can get the hood up again

 

We went ahead and replaced the distributor. Easiest distributor replacement I've ever done. It's back to its old, fun self.