weak spark. new distributor? please help.

[stasis_dc5]

i've exhausted all my efforts in trying to get my car to start and have taken it to my mechanic.

he claims that the car has a weak spark and suggests getting a new distributor and igniter.

now, i'm getting mixed advice about getting a new distributor.

mechanic: pickup coil in distributor is bad. needs new distributor.

friend: its the igniter not the distributor that affects the spark.

myself: the distributor was new before the car sat for 2 years. how can it be bad?

i bought a used igniter and coil from ebay and will be waiting for its arrival.

should i just ask my mechanic to try the igniter and coil first before getting a new distributor?

i kind of don't want to undermine him that's why. he's a nice guy and i want to believe he knows what he's doing.

however, i don't don't want to spend unnecessary money on a new dissy.

thanks for everything! i really appreciate your help and replies. it's hard to find an ae86 forum that's still active and can receive help.

[jondee86]

Distributor sends a low level signal to the ECU which then instructs the
igniter to fire the coil. Check around the coil and igniter for any damaged
or broken wiring. Make sure the igniter is well bolted down, as it grounds
thru the outer casing.

Cheers... jondee86

[fax0815]

2nd that, I had a weak spark, too and it turned out to be the ground of the ignitor.
Usually a dizzy won´t break easy, especially if you bought a new one 2 years ago!
And even if there is a problem a used dizzy will be fine.