1988 Celica not starting after rain - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Oxinatah · 08-21-2008, 01:42 PM

Hey everyone,

I have a 1988 Celica that has issues with a few different things, all have to do with starting, just in different situations. If I don't drive the car for a couple days for a while it is difficult to start, I need to crank it for about 5-8 seconds before it catches and starts, than after I finally get it started, if I try to accelerate quickly (i.e. stepping on the gas hard) it acts like it's stalling out and engine almost conks out (or it will conk out if I don't letup on the gas) also it sat outside the other day in a down pour from tropical storm Fay and now won't start at all no matter how long I crank it. The starter is turning the engine over just fine, but the engine just won't start.

Any suggestions/thoughts tips etc? I'm not to down with all the parts etc. that might be at fault.

The car is a 1988 Toyota Celica 2 door ST manual 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine.

***toyomoho*** · 08-21-2008, 01:54 PM

If rain and non-start issues check for a cracked coil, bad ign wires, etc.

Do a TN search, should be lots of posts on engine not starting and rain.

Oxinatah · 08-21-2008, 02:11 PM

The thing is, this is the first time I have been unable to start it at all. Normally even through heavy rain storms it's semi difficult (have to crank it for about 5 seconds or so, than it's good to go) but this is the first time I have been unable to start it completely. Also on top of that I need the car for school, don't have a lot of time or even the knowledge to run tests on my car =/. Does the problem sound like I should get it towed to a shop and see what they can do? I talked to the gentleman at the shop and he suggested waiting until it dries up a bit and see if it starts than, or I could spend the 50 bucks to get it towed and get it looked at. As I've said, I've never had an issue completely like this before, so I am unsure as to what I should do.

Doctor J · 08-21-2008, 03:04 PM

Condensation/moisture can be collecting in spark plug wells

flyingtele · 08-26-2008, 02:30 AM

take off the distributor cap and ckeck for moisture and cracks, make sure all ignition leads are firmly connected and make sure there is no water or moisture on any of the ignition lead connectors

bobbyex · 08-26-2008, 04:41 AM

also check your fusebox under your hood. the bottom on mine cracked open and the rain and moisture got in there and fried the fuse for my fuel pump, so my car would turn over but not start, and this happened after rain, so yeah sounds similar to your dilemma.