Hi Guys,
You've all been really awesome in the past -so I was wondering what you think this time.
My '87 died on me yesterday and I'm trying to figure out what might be the cause. I had it started and the engine was ideling for a few minutes, and then after I went out to scrape the frost off the windsheild it just died. My friend tried giving me a jump, but that didn't help. There is electricity -so I think the battery is ok. When I turn the key nothing happens at all. I was told it might be either the ignition/starter or the fuel pump? Any ideas? Thanks guys.
Phil
Calling Diagnostic Experts! My '87 died?
"nothing happens"
Need a little more info here. For example, if the engine isn't cranking, that is you can't hear the starter turning over, that would rule out the fuel pump. If the starter is cranking but the engine isn't starting, then the fuel pump does become one of the many possibilities.
If the starter isn't cranking, can you hear a click each time you turn the key to start?
Need a little more info here. For example, if the engine isn't cranking, that is you can't hear the starter turning over, that would rule out the fuel pump. If the starter is cranking but the engine isn't starting, then the fuel pump does become one of the many possibilities.
If the starter isn't cranking, can you hear a click each time you turn the key to start?
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Petros
- Highest Ranking Member
- Posts: 11941
- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
- My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
- Location: Arlington WA USA
It would not be the fuel pump if the starter does not even turn. Check the connections at both battery and the starter (and at all the connections/joints).
Really cold weather can sometimes damage a battery, so bad that even a jump will not help. Try replacing the battery, or temp test by pulling the battery cables from the suspect battery and attach the jumpers to the battery leads, bypassing the suspect battery.
You also could have a bad solenoid on the starter. Check this by rapping it with a hammer and give it a try. Or jump it directly for a 12 volt source.
Do the lights on the dash come on?
You can check for fuel supply by looking in the sight glass on the front of the carb (if it is visible), or take the air cleaner off and shin a flashlight down it and pump the throttle to see if there is fuel in the carb (you will see a squirt of fuel).
Good luck.
Really cold weather can sometimes damage a battery, so bad that even a jump will not help. Try replacing the battery, or temp test by pulling the battery cables from the suspect battery and attach the jumpers to the battery leads, bypassing the suspect battery.
You also could have a bad solenoid on the starter. Check this by rapping it with a hammer and give it a try. Or jump it directly for a 12 volt source.
Do the lights on the dash come on?
You can check for fuel supply by looking in the sight glass on the front of the carb (if it is visible), or take the air cleaner off and shin a flashlight down it and pump the throttle to see if there is fuel in the carb (you will see a squirt of fuel).
Good luck.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
Let me know if their suggestions don't help.
You didn't run out of gas did you?
You didn't run out of gas did you?
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
If the lights and radio work and you can turn the fan on high and it blows hard, then the problem is in the starter. If not, then it would be the battery.
If it's the starter, before you take it out, look for the small wire that goes to a spade terminal on the side of the starter and make sure it is seated all the way. Its been know to back out inside the terminal housing where you don't see it without removing it.
Sometimes removing it causes the terminal to go into position but back out again when you go to put it on.
If it's the starter, before you take it out, look for the small wire that goes to a spade terminal on the side of the starter and make sure it is seated all the way. Its been know to back out inside the terminal housing where you don't see it without removing it.
Sometimes removing it causes the terminal to go into position but back out again when you go to put it on.
and that wire loves to wiggle off from time to time.....
Resulting in a no click, no lights-dimming nothingness. No power to solenoid, no power to starter. Easy fix.
Resulting in a no click, no lights-dimming nothingness. No power to solenoid, no power to starter. Easy fix.
RIP 10-07- 1984 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
RIP 04-05- 1986 Toyota Tercel SR5 4wd Wagen 6 speed
1st Terc- 1987 Tercel SR5 4wd Wagon 6-speed, Sadly cubed
1985 Tercel Standard 4wd Wagon w/ 3-speed auto, Living a happy life in Boulder last I knew
Thank, but still not done
Ok so I looked through the repair archives for info on how to fix a starter and didn't come up with anything. Any reccomendations before I hit yahoo? Is it a complicated thing? If it is the starter can I just buy a new one and install? Thanks as always.
Phil
Phil
-
Petros
- Highest Ranking Member
- Posts: 11941
- Joined: Sun Jan 28, 2007 6:31 pm
- My tercel:: '84 Tercel4wd w/extensive mods
- Location: Arlington WA USA
Yes, removing the starter is fairly strait forward. It helps to remove the distributor and the batter to improve get access. The distributor comes out with only one bolt and the wire connectors, but then you have to reset the timing to get it back in.
If you have a stick-shift you might try push starting it to verify the problem is with the starter, and not the wiring.
If you buy a rebuilt or new starter usually the place that sells them can test your old one once you get it out. You can also bench test them but without the load, you just jump from the batter to the starter with jumper cables. BTW, I would no longer buy rebuilt or re manufactured parts, especially starters or alternator, unless they come with a lifetime guarantee (and some of the do have them).
Or you can go to a pull-a-part and get a starter for about $10 and take your chances. Heck buy two or three of them, as spares.
If you have a stick-shift you might try push starting it to verify the problem is with the starter, and not the wiring.
If you buy a rebuilt or new starter usually the place that sells them can test your old one once you get it out. You can also bench test them but without the load, you just jump from the batter to the starter with jumper cables. BTW, I would no longer buy rebuilt or re manufactured parts, especially starters or alternator, unless they come with a lifetime guarantee (and some of the do have them).
Or you can go to a pull-a-part and get a starter for about $10 and take your chances. Heck buy two or three of them, as spares.
'87 Tercel 4wd SR5 (current engine swap project)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)
'84 Tercel 4wd (daily driver, with on going mods)
'92 Mazda MPV 4wd (wife's daily driver)
'85 Tercel 4wd DLX auto(daughter's daily driver)
'01 Honda Civic (other daughter's daily driver)