# Won't start after replacing distributor and Ignition Control Module **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** toyota, camry\ **Created:** [March 18, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071 "2022-03-18T20:08:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/1 "2022-03-18T20:08:16Z")
I am having a hrad time determining what is the issue with my car after replacing the distributor and ignition control module it still will not hold a chrage for longer than ten minutes. Has anyone had this issue? The car has 114,000 miles. ---
**Author:** ![PintoKid](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pintokid/32/45996_2.png) [@PintoKid](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PintoKid)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 8:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/2 "2022-03-18T20:42:59Z")
> [@anothersighting\_180011](#): > > still will not hold a chrage for longer than ten minutes. Misspellings ignored (hrad, chrage), what is the actual problem? If it is that you can’t start the car because the battery is dead, then you need a new battery. For what reason(s) did you mess with the ignition system? You might get better help if you reply with the model year as well. ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/3 "2022-03-18T21:11:22Z")
It is a 1994, I was driving in January when at a light the car just stopped and would not turn over. I had it towed and my mechanic looked at it thinking it was the distributor. The distributor was replaced and the same issue of starting and not holding the charge for longer than ten minutes occured.It was very nerve racking to drive to the store and have to pull over because my car died in the middle of the street, It was determined that the ignition control module should be replaced as my mechanic has had experience that was a common failing part in older Camrys. so, after having both parts replaced, and the same issue of not holding the charge for more than ten minutes is ongoing. Looking for advice. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/4 "2022-03-18T21:23:12Z")
By not turn over do you mean the starter would crank the engine (what we call turn over) but not start the engine? If the battery won’t hold a charge, in other words, the engine stops and you can’t crank the engine (is this what you mean?), the battery is bad, the alternator is bad or there is a huge parasitic drain. The first 2 are very easy for any mechanic to check, the 3rd is a little more difficult. ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/5 "2022-03-18T21:30:13Z")
My apologies, I have stated the issue incorrectly. It runs for ten minutes then shuts off cranks but no start, thanks ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 9:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/6 "2022-03-18T21:37:16Z")
The car is acting like the crankshaft position sensor is going bad. Gets hot, stops the engine. Cools down, it starts. Have your mechanic check that or just change it, they aren’t expensive. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 10:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/7 "2022-03-18T22:03:37Z")
Is the replacement distributor used or new ? Tester ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/8 "2022-03-18T22:28:01Z")
Thanks @mustangman for your comment, I have let my mechanic know. The replaced distributor is a new one. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 12:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/9 "2022-03-19T00:52:28Z")
> [@anothersighting\_180011](#): > > I have let my mechanic know. If the mechanic needs to be told how to fix the vehicle then you need another mechanic. A good shop should be able to solve this without just changing parts to see what happens. ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/10 "2022-03-19T01:29:43Z")
Point taken, thanks. Does anyone recommend a decent Toyota shop in Brooklyn that isn’t over priced? Thanks ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 1:37am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/11 "2022-03-19T01:37:06Z")
> [@anothersighting\_180011](#): > > Does anyone recommend a decent Toyota shop in Brooklyn that isn’t over priced? This is when you ask friends , relatives , coworkers and use the online reviews of your area . ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 2:19am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/12 "2022-03-19T02:19:03Z")
I agree with @Mustangman And heads up . . . a huge percentage of bad crankshaft position sensors never generate any fault codes Don’t let the absence of a fault code make you think everything’s okay ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/13 "2022-03-19T15:11:51Z")
Alright, thanks. I have already done that but was hoping this community might be able to provide educated suggestions. ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/14 "2022-03-19T15:48:02Z")
A 1994 Toyota with a distributor probably does not have a crankshaft position sensor, per se. Instead there’s a component inside the distributor that could be called signal generator, pickup coil, or ignition control module. Like a CPS, it is heat sensitive and tends to fail when hot, work OK when cool, and eventually fail completely. And like a CPS, it tells the rest of the ignition system exactly when to fire a spark at which cylinder. The issue of the battery not holding a charge needs to be solved first. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/15 "2022-03-19T15:57:57Z")
> [@shanonia](#): > > A 1994 Toyota with a distributor probably does not have a crankshaft position sensor, per se. Rockauto shows a crankshaft position sensor for the 1994 4-cylinder Camry ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/16 "2022-03-19T16:11:55Z")
> [@db4690](#): > > Rockauto shows a crankshaft position sensor for the 1994 4-cylinder Camry That’s a good source for parts and info. I wonder if that part is mounted outside or inside the distributor - and if there is more than one electromagnetic part involved in ignition timing on this car. I had a couple Toyotas years ago that also had an “igniter” as part of the ignition system. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 5:34pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/17 "2022-03-19T17:34:33Z")
crankshaft position sensors aren’t mounted inside the distributor the “igniter” IS the ignition control module And lots of other brands also use(d) them ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/18 "2022-03-19T17:46:50Z")
> [@shanonia](#): > > I had a couple Toyotas years ago that also had an “igniter” as part of the ignition system. … and I knew two people who owned '80s era Toyotas in which the igniter failed–at highway speed. Not a pleasant situation, to say the least. I was a passenger in both cases, so maybe those old Toyota igniters were allergic to me. 😏 I will credit Toyota for owning-up to their igniter problem because in both cases the repair was free, even though both cars were well beyond the expiration of their warranty. ---
**Author:** ![anothersighting\_180011](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@anothersighting\_180011](https://community.cartalk.com/u/anothersighting_180011)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 6:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/19 "2022-03-19T18:02:10Z")
I ordered a CPS from Rock Auto. Thanks for this information. But given that, replacing the distributor should have fixed the issue, wouldn’t you think? ---
**Author:** ![shanonia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de053/32.png) [@shanonia](https://community.cartalk.com/u/shanonia)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2022, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071/20 "2022-03-19T18:52:40Z")
You don’t have a diagnosis yet, so parts replacement is a gamble. [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/wont-start-after-replacing-distributor-and-ignition-control-module/183071.md?page=2)