1996 Celica GT Hatch back died on me - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

isaias_1 · 09-01-2011, 12:14 PM

Hi, I just recently purchased a 1996 celica GT Hatchback. It had 263K on 235K the timing belt was changed, oil and filter, tire rotation. When I bought the car on the 13 of August it drove and ran well. Drove it home over 45miles with no issues. Only issue I noticed was that third gear grinded a bit but it's to be expected. Today after it had sat for all that time with the lights on the battery was dead. Jumped the car. cleaned and protected the contacts on the batt. and hooked it all back up. Let it charge for an hour and then drove it to work. On my way to work the engine oil light came on and the car died on my. Can someone tell me what gives? It has oil and there are no apperant oil leaks. The car is turning over but not starting. Please help with any advice as what could cause the car not to start. Thanks
Isaias

***MR2Jedi*** · 09-01-2011, 12:37 PM

You didn't mention an ignition system tune up.
If there are no severe oil leaks, check the wire to your oil pressure sending unit or then test or replace it.
If good, check the oil pressure in case your oil pump has failed.

isaias_1 · 09-01-2011, 01:31 PM

Ok. I don't know of when the tune up was done last. My biggest concern is that it might be the oil pump or sensor. If it is either one of these two would it cause the ecu to shutdown the engine? Also, where is the oil sensor switch located at and what is a good way to check it and of course a good reading for it? Thanks
Isaias

isaias_1 · 09-01-2011, 05:19 PM

Ok. So I got a chance to look at the car and mess with it. I was able to get spark from the coil wire from the center of the distributor onto the block. I then disconnected a spark plug wire and stuck a screw driver in like I did with the coil wire and could not get spark. Can someone tell me what internally to the distributor would be keeping it from firing? Thanks
Isaias

Bitter · 09-01-2011, 07:42 PM

Oil light will come on AS the engine dies since the RPM will drop. Check spark, check fuel pressure/volume/listen for pump. go from there.

***MR2Jedi*** · 09-01-2011, 08:16 PM

I took it as the oil light came on with the engine running.

Bitter · 09-01-2011, 11:45 PM

Yea, but an engine will start without oil pressure.

isaias_1 · 09-02-2011, 11:17 AM

Ok. thanks for all the good info. After seeing that the distributor wasn't firing I removed the timing belt cover to find a broken belt. Now, can you tell me if the 2.2 engine in this celica could have had piston to valve contact? I know anything is possible but is this engine an interference or free running engine? it is the 5S-FE. Thanks
Isaias

***MR2Jedi*** · 09-02-2011, 02:03 PM

You're good.
The 2.2 5sfe is a non interference engine.