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Toyota Celica (Hatchbacks / All Years)

1543 messages,  Last post on May 02, 2013 at 11:26 PM

You are in the Toyota Celica Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Celica, Coupe, Hatchback

Messages Page 151 of 155

#1493 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [zaken1] by dalicea97

Aug 13, 2008 (5:06 am)

Replying to: zaken1 (Aug 13, 2008 12:13 am)
I don't know whether their conclusions can be trusted because they did not figure out the problem but kept on assuming that it may be the celicas computer, distributor. His judgement I can not trust. But after your intellectual experienced response I trust your judgement. With my 1994 Celica going dead I have been having restless nights with nightmares.Not withstanding its age( and miles 145,540). And I have always taken care of preventive care of my Celica. It is very heartwrenching . I have not wasted anytime and I spoke to a 23 yr Toyota experience Master Tech Mechanic and he told me about the headlight test to do. I made sure the connections to the battery and the engine grounds are good. I made sure the battery is fully charged. I turned the headlights on and try to start the car. The lights stayed brite except when I attempted to start the car the lights dimmed way down. That mechanic told me about the contacts in the starter are known to go bad. Also my Toyota advisor told me about the need for a new starter(mind you my current starter is over 8 years old) So I have to think positive about it. Well today Wed. 10:00am A toytota recommeded tow truck company will be taking the celica to the toyota dealer for repair. I will keep you informed of my situation. I am hoping that it may be a faulty starter.
I greatly appreciate your helpful inforrmation which helped me sleep well last night.
Thank you,
D.A.

#1494 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [dalicea97] by zaken1

Aug 13, 2008 (10:18 am)

Replying to: dalicea97 (Aug 13, 2008 5:06 am)
It certainly could be a faulty starter; but since the lights dimmed way down, the type of starter problem that would cause that is not bad contacts; instead, it would be a short in the starter motor armature. But the remedy is the same in either case; to replace the starter. However, there is another thing that would make the lights dim way down, and that is if the battery has aged to the point that it no longer has sufficient energy capacity to drive the starter motor. If this is the problem, and they replace your starter without first testing the battery with a load tester; the new starter will not fix the problem, and they will have wasted your money. Any shop qualified to do electrical diagnosis would load test the battery BEFORE replacing the starter.

#1495 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [zaken1] by dalicea97

Aug 13, 2008 (11:04 am)

Replying to: zaken1 (Aug 13, 2008 10:18 am)
zaken I just recieved a call from my Toyota advisor and he informed me about the cause of my celica not turning on what because of my distributor melted. I guess because of the age my celica has 14 years he stated. And he even guaranteed that then my celica would turn on. I did ask him about my starter,alternator and those were good except after they tested my battery it needed to be replaced also? I need to call my toyota advisor back to order the parts. Zaken should I go ahead and parts ordered for my repair? I am just worried/stressed out which is not healthy for my MS.
 
I would like to thank you in advance for your cooperation.

#1496 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [dalicea97] by zaken1

Aug 13, 2008 (11:43 am)

Replying to: dalicea97 (Aug 13, 2008 11:04 am)
Have them ONLY replace the battery, then go over there, be sure there is a NEW battery in it, and try to start the car. If it now starts, get out of there and don't give them any more business. I've never heard of a distributor melting. That sounds like nonsense to me. The distributor is made of metal and plastic. The metal won't melt, unless there has been a fire in your engine compartment. The only real possibility is that one or more plastic parts in the distributor have melted. If that has happened, those parts can be replaced individually; without having to replace the entire distributor.
 
Joel

#1497 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [zaken1] by dalicea97

Aug 13, 2008 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: zaken1 (Aug 13, 2008 11:43 am)
Thanks for the information on how to go about getting a new battery. I will keep what you let me know in mind. And if the plastic parts have melted and keep not allowing my celica to start I will get another mechanic to replace the plastic parts individually.
Joel I would like to thank you in advance for your prompt and accurate information.
Have a good Day,
Deborah

#1498 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [dalicea97] by peterpan99

Aug 13, 2008 (10:57 pm)

Replying to: dalicea97 (Aug 13, 2008 1:17 pm)
Instead or replacing the battery, try jump starting with the battery from another car.
 
If the symtoms remain the same then the battery is OK. Dont have to replace it.
 
If the engine cranks but will not start, then the distributor may be broken or wet, or the cap may be worn out or broken. Just open up the cap can clean all contacts. If there are any cracks on the cap, the engine will not start.

#1499 of 1543 Re: 1994 Toyota celica engine starting problems? [peterpan99] by dalicea97

Aug 14, 2008 (5:13 am)

Replying to: peterpan99 (Aug 13, 2008 10:57 pm)
My distributor inside plastic is melted/cracked not withstanding its age( 1994 with milage:145,540) so of course will not start . I might is well replace the distributor so my celica will start. Once I get the new distributor hopefully my celica 1994. I will keep you informed.
Thanks,
Deborah

#1500 of 1543 Re: Transmission Switch 1994 celica engine starting problems? [dalicea97] by peterpan99

Aug 16, 2008 (5:10 pm)

Replying to: dalicea97 (Aug 14, 2008 5:13 am)
One more potential ignition killer: the switch at the automatic transmission lever. This switch lets the starter crank and engage only when the lever is set at P or N. If this switch is misadjusted or dead, the starter will not crank.
 
Leave the stick in P or N and try to wiggle it around while starting, sometimes it will move the switch enough to start the starter.
 
The same problem happened with a BMW 740 which left the owner desparate and destittute, replacing just about all modules in the ignition circuit without fixing the problem. He adjusted the transmission switch and all is fine.
 
There are lots of horror stories involving BMW's electrical systems. Toyota has much better electrical systems designs, mateirials and workmanship.

#1501 of 1543 Re: Transmission Switch 1994 celica engine starting problems? [peterpan99] by dalicea97

Aug 16, 2008 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: peterpan99 (Aug 16, 2008 5:10 pm)
Well as for my celica which the master tech ran it today after the new distributor was installed he parked it and when he tried to start again the car it would not turn back on....AH!! The advisor told me that the master tech has to check other electrical wiring? Now I wonder what it is, another electrical part? I am hoping it made be fixed. I will just sit here and wait I only wonder if it would start. Thanks for listening. Have a Wonderful Weekend & Take Care:)

#1502 of 1543 by guitarzan

Dec 13, 2008 (8:44 am)

Updates on service: I got a Toyota TrueStart battery a year ago and it is dead. They replaced it at no charge. Also, the serpentine belt is about two years old and started to show signs of cracking. I had it replaced at a cost of $180.
 
I asked about the belt life and the service advisor asked about the car's mileage. I moved a few years ago, and now I am putting very little mileage on the car. Apparently the belt is not getting exercised enough. I also think it is possible that the battery is not getting charged during the short trips and this contributed to an early death.
 
I think after six months I should remember to charge the battery fully, and perhaps that will help extend its life. I do not have much time for other things, and do not think I will have time for freeway trips just for the sake of exercising the car...
 
Nowadays I spend very little on gasoline but am making up for the cost with other repairs.

Messages Page 151 of 155

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