Help keep her alive

[Lil4bner]

My goal is to slow the hemorrhage of money from my savings account - trying to keep my 97 carolla alive. She starts when she wants to. My mechanic talked me into changing the timing belt (said it was missing teeth) that didnt work. My mechanic had me pay for a complete tune up (replaced all ignition components - distributor cap -wires - plugs - battery, etc.) that didn't work. Well I guess it worked while the car was at the mechanics anyway. Shes in the driveway now and wont start in the morning - but for some reason she'll start in the afternoon, so maybe she's just a morning gal. In the morning it sounds like she wants to start but then just turns over with no result. Help my out boys - is it a fuel system issue? I appreciate any help i might get from the forum.

regards

lil4bner

[speedy25]

did you firget to plug in the temp sensor in the airbox?

-SP

[good_old_geo]

If you get a Haynes manual they have a good run down on what could be the problem when starting. I dont have it with me right now since Im on vacation but there is a sequence that you can follow to troubleshoot no start situations. In my experience its rarely the fuel system that is the problem. I recently tried changing my timing belt and unless I had it timed correctly, mine wouldn't start. The haynes manual is a good investment especially for the corolla. For the record the corollas ignition system is very robust and extremely reliable. I replaced mine at around 130 k miles then at around 190 k miles my engine misfired because one of the plug wires broke so I put my old ones on and my car and guess what I have not replaced them since (currently at 225 k miles). The corolla is one those cars that are extremely easy to fix. Trust me Im no mechanic and its the easiest car Ive worked on.

[speedy25]

Originally Posted by good_old_geo

For the record the corollas ignition system is very robust and extremely reliable.

Except when the coils inside come apart.

Sorry I cant find the thread that had some good pics of this.

-SP

[good_old_geo]

When I was in college in 2001 3 of us had 93-97 corollas. Up to this point none of us had ignition problems. Mine has 225 k miles and my friend has 190 k miles. When mine wasn't starting I found out it was me being off 1 tooth in the timing belt that was the problem. The ignition coil is also pretty easy to replace it would be an easy rule out if the OP wants to try replacing this. I think all you have to do is remove the cap, then the rotor then the cover. The coil should be immediately visible.

[ganda1f]

Are your spark plugs fouled with fuel after she fails to start? Your Idle Air Control Valve (IAC) is likely clogged (by the oily residue coming from crankcase ventilation) and unable to open properly during start up. Have you tried to start with a little throttle?