Two Cylinders Not Firing

[ChrisM.]

Hi all,

I have a 2000 Yaris 998cc and I've had it standing for about 12 months. I'm now trying to get it started and down to the garage for an mot to see what needs to be done with it, but...

The engine won't start, only the inner two plugs are sparking. I know that all the plugs and coil packs are all working (as I swapped the outer for the inner and still only the inner two fire), what should I be looking at next?

I'm not a mechanic, but I don't see any point checking the fuel system or anything else until I can get a spark from all four plugs (if you are a mechanic and think I'm wrong, I'm happy to be schooled :-) ).

I've become quite attached to this car as I bought it new and have nursed it through to now and between us my wife and I have driven almost all of its 232,000 miles - I'd love to take it through the 1/4 million!

Thanks for reading!

[Madasafish]

If the coil packs are Ok - and your test suggests they are, it's either a wiring fault - the outer feed wires to the coils are shorting out - or one of the two sensors which control ignition timing (crankshaft/camshaft) - or an ECU fault..

Basically you need to test the outer coils are getting a signal when the engine is turned over... to test the wiring.

check the signals from the sensors

and then next the ECU -

in that order.

Some of the above need specialised electrical tools.

You really need a garage which is competent...

(that's my personal opinion so don't take what I say as gospel..)

[ToyotaAuris]

Woooah 232k miles!!!!! You must love that car, I wouldent be able to do 30k miles without getting bored of a car!

[MEP's Yaris GS]

Woooah 232k miles!!!!! You must love that car, I wouldent be able to do 30k miles without getting bored of a car!

Our mk1 Yaris done 192k in 14 years before we got bored of it.

[Kim 123]

I didn't get bored of my D4D 1.4 Yaris that I did over 200,000 miles in but it sadly got bored of me!

Good luck with the diagnostics, hopefully you'll get the car up and running.

[ChrisM.]

Thanks guys, it seems that these Yarises go on for (almost) ever!

I won't be able to check until next weekend, so I'll hold for good weather :-)

Basically you need to test the outer coils are getting a signal when the engine is turned over... to test the wiring.

check the signals from the sensors

and then next the ECU -

in that order.

Some of the above need specialised electrical tools

Thanks MaaF, that's really helpful, my Haynes manual is 150 miles away (with the car) can I test the signal to the wires with a multimeter? As all of the wires to the coil packs are bundled up and sheathed with other wires, could you point me to where they come from so that I can test them that end please?

Cheers,

Chris

[Madasafish]

hi Chris.

Haynes states "A wiring connector - under the steering column- is provided into which a special tester can be inserted".. - not much use...And warns about possible ECU damage.

Not much help I am afraid..

Toyota dealer jobbie I would suggest.

Sorry to be of not much help

Mike