engine stalled and wont start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 12:32 AM

so i got a 1989 corolla gts and it runs perfectly fine. ran it hard today like i did every day then i come to a stop and the engine dies out. i crank it, it barely starts and dies immediately. i was in a rush so i went home and got another car... decided to check it later when it was cold thinking it was an idle issue. it just cranks now and wont start. i have a few theories:
1. loosened a ground while driving
2. fuel pump died
3. clog in fuel system
4. clog in air intake

most likely its number 1 so my question is... where are all the oem grounding points on the ae92? any ideas, opinions or theories are welcome.

90 GP · 05-31-2009, 06:00 AM

Bad battery,alternator,ignition coil , clogged fuel filter,broken timing belt. Did you try to jump start it or give it a shot of starting fluid to eliminate ignition/fuel problems? Did you remove distrib cap to see if rotor turns while cranking to eliminate the timing belt?

Ghostyman · 05-31-2009, 08:41 AM

Air intakes rarely get clogged enough to prevent the engine from running.

Check to make sure there's spark (pull the wire and hold it near the valve cover while cranking) and fuel. If you have them both, then chances are something is wrong with the timing.

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 09:47 AM

alright so i can rule out some of these ideas
bad battery: its continuously cranking and the gauge shows 12 volts
bad alternator: battery is still good so it would run off the battery for a bit but it refuses to start
the rest ill check later today, it was late at night and i had some where to be. thanks for all the info

boopie · 05-31-2009, 10:14 AM

Sounds like your timing belt snapped. Does it sound like the only thing working is the starter? Like it sounds like your not getting any spark. Its probably the timing belt. Cross your fingers and hope its not.

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 10:15 AM

that doesnt sound too bad, at least i wont have to look for the problem if it is.. just replace it. thankfully our engines are non interference.

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 10:18 AM

lets say one of the engine grounds wasnt on though... would i still get ignition and fuel?

Ghostyman · 05-31-2009, 10:22 AM

Batteries will show 12V even if they don't have the amps to start the car. That said, I really doubt the problem is either the battery or alternator.

Check the spark, that'll be your next big diagnosis. If you have spark, the timing belt is intact.

Then check to make sure you have fuel. If you have fuel and spark, then the problem is somewhere between the distributor and the plugs (that could include the timing being severely off).

Ghostyman · 05-31-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duy-

lets say one of the engine grounds wasnt on though... would i still get ignition and fuel?

Probably. The engines are grounded pretty decently and repetitively. One being off shouldn't affect you like this.

(That said, grounds are always important and I recommend installing supplemental grounds from the block, transmission, and head).

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 10:44 AM

alright it gets no fuel, the fuel pump use to whine really loud when my key was in the on position now it doesnt anymore. fuel pump? i havent been able to check for spark cause everyones asleep... cant get anyone to crank for me.

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 10:45 AM

going to get some gas and spray it into the intake to check for sure first

Ghostyman · 05-31-2009, 10:49 AM

Good luck!

90 GP · 05-31-2009, 11:14 AM

Fuel pump relay/fuse?

Duy- · 05-31-2009, 11:16 AM

yeah squirted fuel into it and it runs fine

Duy- · 06-06-2009, 08:44 AM

anyone know a way of testing a fuel pump before putting the tank up? i bought an ae102 fuel pump for cheap hoping it could work if i spliced the wires in but it didnt. i wanna say it was because it wasnt compatible or the ae102 pump was broken as well but i hate to buy a new ae92 fuel pump and find out i had a loose wire or blown fuse.