98 corolla won't start in the cold weather...

[240meowth]

Hey guys, my g/f has a 98 corolla and we seem to have a consistant problem. Lately, in souther california it's been raining like mad, and during the night it is about 44 degrees where i live. And sometimes we would take her car to go somewhere and it just won't start, and one time i went over a bump and it stalled, and it wouln't start... you have to crank it for like 20 minuts off and on to get it going. any idea what it can possibly be?

also, it has a check engine light on, but it's been on for some time, can you guys tell me how to check the engine codes on a 98 corolla?! thanks!!!

[JyRO]

240 - Sounds like you have a loose connection at the least. Check the connections at the battery, alternator, etc. I had an '84 Celica do something similar one time. You may have multiple problems because with the battery disconnected it should still run. I say that, but when mine battery cable popped off (running over a pavement junction that gave the car a jolt) the battery cable popped off and the car shut-off immediately. Thinking back I must have had an alternator problem too, which in fact I know I did have an alternator problem mixed in there somewhere but I can't remember the chronology of things back then. Check the codes if possible.

I don't know about your '98 model, but my '90 model Celica (not the one mentioned above) had a small 'DIAGNOSTICS' box somewhere behind the LH strut tower (between the strut tower and firewall) under the hood. I could pop the lid and jump 2 connectors with a paper clip (can't remember the connectors off hand, but would remember them if I read them), then turn the ignition to 'ON' and the 'Check Engine' light would flash the codes.

I don't know that your g/f's car would be the same. But look around under the hood to see if you have a small 'DIAGNOSTICS' junction box. Mine was about 1" x 3" x whatever depth. Pop the top and there will be diagram on the inside of the lid. If you get that far come back and post your results.

- JyRO

[ems]

Hi 240. Your car is equipped with obdII. You need to have it diagnoced somewhere. Older cars had obdI so you could jump the wires and get codes but you cant do that with your 98. If you have AutoZones in you area they do free diagnostics. The problem can be cause by several things so have it diagnoced first and replace whatever is neccessary and that may fix your problem.

[Porkch0p220]

go to autozone, they read it for free

[karugs]

Did you run it through the flooded streets? How is the airbox? I would check the simple ones first like connections, check spark plugs, air filter, fuel delivery, oil levels, etc...

Just don't tell her you went to ask for help here. She'll love you more for solving it "yourself"