Stupid question?

DaveG1 · Post by **DaveG1** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 4:52 pm

Are our tercels computer brained? Or do only fuel injected cars run off computers?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 5:21 pm

I believe that some tercels (Cali models?) came with an emissions control computer. Generally carbed cars do not need an ECU (engine control unit) to operate though; only fuel injected cars need an ECU.

Maybe someone can expand on your question and let you know exactly which tercels came with the emissions computer and what it does.

sacwac · Post by **sacwac** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 8:21 pm

I have seen, and taken apart the computer that comes in the CA models. In the manual, it's only listed for the 3AC engine, I have not checked my federal model tercel for it.

It's just about as simple as a computer can get, basic IO only... things like if switch A is closed, then I must close switch B.. sort of thing. It can't run without it. To give you an idea for what it controls, it's hooked up to the following parts:

Choke heater
vacuum switch
thermo switch
ox sensor
cold mixture heater
ebcv
vsv
fuel cut

It's usually located under the passenger side dashboard.

DaveG1 · Post by **DaveG1** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 9:50 pm

Thanks! I must have a computer then, cuz my tercel is a cali model. does this mean it would be harder to do engine swaps on my car?

GTSSportCoupe · Post by **GTSSportCoupe** » Mon Jul 26, 2004 10:18 pm

Not if you find an engine that came out of the same model type. Even if you get a different one, it will probably not be difficult to figure out how to connect things without the computer. Just buy a factory repair manual from Toyota for your tercel. It has wiring diagrams for all the different types.

warbstrd · Post by **warbstrd** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:40 pm

i live in va and my car has also its whole life and its a california model....dont know where the federal model was sold but every tercel ive looked at has been a california model .

DaveG1 · Post by **DaveG1** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 9:01 pm

hmm velly interestink. So if I get a 4a motor from a cali car I should be ok. That guy that wants the 27" gumbo mudders in his rig had mentioned putting a 22r motor in. Is this doable? that is a great motor.