Anyone Know anything about toyota engines?
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Anyone Know anything about toyota engines?
Hey, my brother has a 1990 corolla SR5. Lately he has been having problems with starting. The engine turns over but it just won't start. The problem is intermittent however as it often only occurs every month or so. If the car is left off for about 10 mins or so and tried again it starts up just fine a runs normally. He says it has been happening every couple months or so but lately it has been getting more frequent. I was with him yesterday and the car was idleing then stalled with no warning (no sputtering or anything, just sounded like you turned off the engine) and wouldn't start up again. We were parked on a hill at the time so i told him to start rolling then drop into second right away to see if we could start the engine that way. Sure enough it started up and ran fine afterwards. He asked me if i knew what it could be but i don't know what to tell him. I know you guys are a knowledgable bunch on here so i thought i would ask you. I was thinking it could have something to do with the starter, but it sounds completely normal to me so i dont' know?electronics? Thank You.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 314
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From: Harrisburg, PA
There's three basic keys to a successfully starting engine, check the following before you take it to a mechanic:
- Adequate battery power (you've ruled that out noting that it cranks)
- Ignition/spark (pull a plug wire off and see if you have any spark - be careful)
- Fuel flow (check the fuel filter, sounds like inconsistent fuel flow)
Aside from that, I also ran into a similar issue where I had assumed that the car had a broken temp guage - come to find out, that wasn't the issue, it was just running cold (that's right, cold!). A quick thermostat replacement and the car ran with no problems.
Also, don't underestimate the impact that dirty battery terminals can have. Clean them if they look like crap. Check the distributor cap and rotor (if they haven't been repaced lately). Fuel pump could be bad, but usually they either work or don't, they're usually not inconsistent.
Rule out the basics first.
- Adequate battery power (you've ruled that out noting that it cranks)
- Ignition/spark (pull a plug wire off and see if you have any spark - be careful)
- Fuel flow (check the fuel filter, sounds like inconsistent fuel flow)
Aside from that, I also ran into a similar issue where I had assumed that the car had a broken temp guage - come to find out, that wasn't the issue, it was just running cold (that's right, cold!). A quick thermostat replacement and the car ran with no problems.
Also, don't underestimate the impact that dirty battery terminals can have. Clean them if they look like crap. Check the distributor cap and rotor (if they haven't been repaced lately). Fuel pump could be bad, but usually they either work or don't, they're usually not inconsistent.
Rule out the basics first.
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,692
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From: Bethlehem PA
well back in the days I had an 87 camry 5spd and i used to have a problem like that.
The problem was the fly wheel. They are pretty common for f'ing up.
When you start it does it make a churring/grinding noise?
The problem was the fly wheel. They are pretty common for f'ing up.
When you start it does it make a churring/grinding noise?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2004
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Nope, no churring or grinding at all. Thats the strange thing. the car sounds completely normal. I really have no idea what to tell him, but i dont' want him to have to take it to a mechanic for something that could be an easy fix. Can anyone help???
