1989 Celica GT Finally breaking down :( help much appreciated! (i am original owner) - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

ecalamity · 06-03-2011, 10:49 AM

Hello everyone! I was wondering if I could get any input on how to fix my car (this has been the family car and will most likely stay within the family)

(a little background story)
My brother was the original owner then passed it on to me. I then passed it on to my younger cousin about two years ago. The car is completely stock and has never been modified. Everything is OEM.

Just a couple of weeks ago I was called by my cousin saying the car broke down on her

.
The problem is that we took it to a few mechanic shops but they still haven't fixed it

...

Problem with car:
When pressing on the gas, the idle drops and then the car dies (a scary event that happened to us and on a main road). I was wondering if any car gurus out there or people who have experienced this could tell us whats going on because I do not wish to bring it to another fail mechanic shop.

Any input is much appreciated! Thanks!

What the shops did: changed all fluids, distributor cap and plugs, new spark plugs, and replaced air intake piping with oem piping.

Bitter · 06-03-2011, 07:37 PM

got the correct fuel pressure?

ecalamity · 06-05-2011, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bitter

got the correct fuel pressure?

Thanks for the response! To be honest I don't really know if I do or not. Is there a way to check it myself or do I have to take it to a mechanic and have it checked? No modifications have been done to the car except replacing old parts with re-manufactured oem parts. And the car only has about 170,000 miles on it

VanBam · 06-05-2011, 04:55 AM

You need to clarify more. Does it restart easily? Does it actually crank when trying to start the car, but just ends up hesitating the engine? Does it ever not start at all? Does it die on any other occassion?

There could be TOO many possibilities.

Get a good tune up done either way. Spark plugs, wires, ignition coil, igniter [ICM], distributor cap and rotor. Might as well change your fuel filter as well.

Have your fuel injectors, fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator diagnosed somehow.

Does it ever die besides when you press on the gas? Or only specifically when accelerating..it used to happen to my baby while it had a combination of other issues, but as soon as I changed my igniter [ICM], it didn't die on me when accelerating..now it dies on me on the contrary, when i slow down, lol but i've figured out it's a bad DISTRIBUTOR.

Get your sensors checked as well if your model comes with them.

Best and most reliable diagnose is to get it scanned with a computer. It is expensive at dealerships and might end up there for a week or more..but if you browse around some local shops, you can come across some mechanics with a computer.

Goodluck!

VanBam · 06-05-2011, 04:55 AM

Oooooo..just noticed you mentioned you had all 'old parts' replaced with OEM.

What exactly do you mean by the old parts?

ecalamity · 06-29-2011, 05:44 PM

Thanks for the posts everyone! Sorry for the late reply, the month's been hectic.

I found a thread online on another forum just a couple of days ago (although it dates back to a few years ago). I am not a member of their forum so I was hoping someone here could clarify what exactly the OP did.

This is the link:
http://www.toyotacelicas.com/forums/...e-problem.html

The person had the exact same problem that I am facing right now. For the parts that were changed for the car, it is only the exhaust (from OEM to Magnaflow).

"Sorry about not posting back here sooner, but the problem was fixed, finally, through the help of a long-time Toyota mechanic. He told me he's seen it many times, it will probably come up as a code 51 (which it did) and he then said to ignore the factory code diagnosis that tells of a fault in the A/C and/or the throttle position sensor. He said to check the coil for discoloration at the positive terminal and if the coil was OK, replace the rotor. I did and the problem was magically gone."

This quote is of my main concern as I am not sure what exactly they are talking about. Is it better to just bring it to the dealership and see if they can fix it or is this a possible DIY job? Please let me know! Thanks!

PS. I fear to drive on the main road with it and bring it to the dealership located about 15 miles from my family's home. I also did a full cleaning of the fuel line with seafoam and it really hasn't helped much (car still dies).

RobMilkshakes · 06-29-2011, 08:55 PM

Well are you getting a CEL? I would first check for spark and your fuel pressure before diving into the ignition system as that is only one possible cause of the problem

Anyway, they are talking about the ignition coil which is located inside the distributor as well as the rotor. If you're mechanically inclined and have the tools, checking the coil or possibly replacing it isn't too complicated. Replacing the rotor is rather simple.