89 camry starting troubles...help!

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Last saturday i changed the oil on my 89 camry. After i started it up, i drove it and everything was fine. Then on monday, my dad drove it to work cuz of snow and his car sux in the snow so he drives mine when there is bad weather. He called me and said that on the way to work, the "oil" light and the "check engine light" had turned on and both stayed on the whole time until he got to work and turned off the car. Then when he was leaving work to come home, he started the car, and a few seconds later it shut off. He tried starting again, but it wont start. It cranks but the engine wont turn on! I replaced the oil pressure switch thinking that was the cause, but that didnt work. Then i changed the spark plugs thinking maybe the cause was fouled plugs. Still nothing. What could be wrong? I now think it my be my oil pump. What do you guys think is the casue? Your help would be greatly appreciated!

[Tercel GTS]

Get the codes scanned first.

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

How can i get the codes scanned? The car is stuck in a parking garage at my fathers work. What would be the easiest way to scan the codes?

[theman33b]

Extracting Trouble Codes:
1. Turn the ignition switch to ON. Do not start the engine.

2. Using a jumprt wire, short terminals T and E1 of the check connector.

3. Read the diagnostic code as indicated by the number of flashes of the "CHECK" engine warning light.


I have the same car, different problem(knock sensor)this is how to extract codes

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Thanks for the instructions theman33b. I am just a little confused on how to do step 2. How do i use a jumper wire to short terminals T and E1? Is there a special type of jumper wire to do this? If you can clerify on how to do this that would be great.

Also, if anyone thinks they know what the problem is, let me know. Thanks

[terrastrife]

the special type of wire is whatever you can find that will bridge both connections, heck it doesnt even have to be a wire... a paperclip would work...

come back when you need to ask how to read the cel light =)

[theman33b]

Yea terrastrife is correct you can use a paperclip or whatever you have to connect the two terminals. Just stick the paperclip in both terminals and turn the car on dont start it, and read what the code is. The check engine light will flash a number of times then it will pause and flash a different number of times and thats one code it wont flash over 7 times in a row,so like ... pause .... then a long pause then it repeats the code again, here is the codes: 12 Engine RPM Signal. 13 Engine RPM Signal. 14 Ignition Signal. 16 ECT Control Signal. 21 Oxygen Sensor (OS) Signal. 22 Water Temperature Sensor (THW) Signal. 24 Intake Air Temperature Sensor (THA) Signal. 25 Air/Fuel ratio lean. 26 Air/Fuel ratio rich. 27 Sub-oxygen sensor signal. 31 Air Flow Meter Signal. 32 Air Flow Meter Signal. 41 Throttle Position Sensor (TPS). 42 Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) Signal. 43 Starter Circuit Signal. 51 Switch Condition Signal. 52 Knock Control Signal. 71 EGR system malfunction

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Thanks guys! So after i put the paper clip in the terminals, i turn the ignition to ON and read how many times the CEL flashes. So it will flash a certain number of times, then it will pause and flash again? Then i take those two numbers and combine them to check the code right? For example, say the first time it flashes 4 times, then it pauses, then the second time it flahes 3 times. I have code 43 right? I will do this later today.

Also i looked at all the codes and i couldnt find one that would link to the "oil" light being on also. If the oil light was on at the same time as the CEL and stayed on, would those two warning lights be connected somehow?

[kamesama980]

toyota has a reputation of using 2 lights together to indicate items without a light....battery and cel for alternator i think is one. check your battery voltage. when sitting as well as while cranking. tho that wouldnt account for the cel+oil lights

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

im gonna do the trouble codes tomorrow. I talked to my dad again and he said he wasnt completely sure if the CEl came on

So if ONLY the "oil" ight came on, what could the causes be?

[marc780]

Hopefully youve checked the oil level by now. In this deal, the FIRST thing to do is check for oil pressure. No oil pressure = No more engine. Buy or borrow an oil pressure gauge with fittings and screw it into the oil pressure sensor hole in the block. Youd wanna see a minimum of 40 psi at 3,000 rpm, if you get that much at idle speed so much the better. If the oil pressure is low, there may be big engine problems like worn out bearings. Or it may just be the oil pump as you suspect.

Maybe the wrong oil filter was put on, or the right filter was used but it worked its way loose. Or perhaps the drain plug is loose if the oil was low.

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Yea i checked the oil level. It was full. I replaced the oil pressure switch, which i suspect is the same as the oil pressure sensor. The new one i bought was a little different then the one that was previously on there. The new one is a little longer. Would that make a difference? Ill check if the oil filter is on tight enough, and see if it is indeed the correct one. Im sure it is though.

Another thing i notice is that under the car you can see that oil has leaked while its been sitting there. Its a pretty large area. It leaked before this happened too though. Could this oil that leaked be connected to the problem here?

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

Anybody else know what might be causing the problem? Let me know please! Thanks

[theman33b]

does it crank still or does it not turn over?

[PoR2GeEzCamry]

It still cranks, but the engine wont start. It just keeps on crankin, but wont start. What are the possibilities of what it could be?