Toyota Repair: 1988 Celica ST starts then stalls, engine fires, pickup coil

Question
G'day Ted,

Recently I replaced a badly cracked EFI air inlet pipe [air cleaner to EFI unit]after the car started to stall. The problem is getting worse even with new pipe fitted. The engine will run for a few seconds then die, however as it warms up it it will run for longer, occasionally the motor will run for as long as five minutes, then stall. If the engine cuts out when idling, it splutters then dies, if the engine is revving @ around 2,000 rpm it just goes dead.

Since I've had the problem with the stalling engine the starter motor has also been playing up. At first all you get is a clicking sound as if the solenoid is kicking in but getting no power to turn the starter. After a few attempts the motor will start, again, once the engine is warm this problem is not as evident.

The check engine light only comes on when you have the ignition on, as soon as the engine fires up the light goes out and stays off until the motor stalls.

There are no other problems with the car even though it has travelled 245,000 klms

This is driving me crazy and I hope you can help with some hints.

Cheers,

Peter

Answer
It sounds more like an electrical problem, there are two possible and common problems causing the engine to die like this.
Remove the distributor cap and check for any cracks or burned marks, check the coil, it should be inside the distributor, remove the rotor and the coil cover, check the coil closely for any cracks or burned through areas especially on the underside of the coil, if everything looks good there may be a problem with the pickup coil or signal generator in that case replace the distributor, the coil can be replaced but the other parts are integral.
For the clicking noise and the engine not cranking over, replace the starter.