My engine stalls while I was driving to school?

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 178,000 MILES
I have a Toyota corolla.1989. And it just died on me. It getting spark, and fuel but the first combustion chamber only has 75psi. The second and third has 150psi and the fourth is at 160psi.I set the timing but still no combustion in any chamber. What's the problem?
Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 12:03 AM

22 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
This sounds like a fuel pump or the crankshaft angle sensor has gone out. When you turn the key to the on position without cranking the engine over can you hear the fuel pump run in the tank for 5 seconds? These guides can help us find it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-stalls

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Please run down this guide and report back.

roy
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 12:08 AM
Tiny
RICKYSPENCER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It has good fuel pressure from the pump. Its getting spark, and fuel and its timed correctly
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 1:55 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Once again, what is the fuel pressure. We need this number. You may have good, as you say, but it may not be good enough

Roy
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 2:05 AM
Tiny
DOUG SHORE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1989 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
Engine will stop running. This doesn't happen all the time. It may go months before it does it again. But recently it has been about every other week. After doing a tune up and replacing the fuel pump the problem is still there. But now it won't stay running. It will shut off after a about a minute or when you press on the gas.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Check for spark when this happens. If you do not have spark, I would think the ignition module in the distributor is bad, or the coil.

I would pull a distributor at a junk yard, install it and see if it runs (if you do not have spark).

Did you replace the fuel filter?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUG SHORE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I did replace the fuel filter.
I also replaced a vacuum line and a boot on the carb last night.
I got it running, but not like it should.
Should the spark be blue?
If I get a spark, then what?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
Spark sound OK. The problem looks to be in the carb, or fuel delivery. Since you said you checked the fuel pressure, the carb probably needs to be rebuilt.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUG SHORE
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The carb was already rebuilt.

I got the car running. I found a pin hole in the coil that was shorting to the post on the coil.
Once I put the new one on, it started and has run with no problems. I drove it last night and to work this morning and tried to make it stall, it won't.
So, I hope this has fixed the original problem I was having before I started working on it. If so, that's one big headache out of the way.
Thank you for your advice.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DASHBYE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1989 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
I have a 1989 toyota corolla that starts right up and idles fine but when you get it up to 2000rpms or you put it in gear the engine dies. What could cause that?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Maybe fuel pressure check needs to be 30-33 psi. Does it restart after stall?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DASHBYE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yes, it will restart I just cant get it up pass 2000 rpms or it hessitates and dies.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Check fuel pressure also pull a plug wire hold 1/4 " from block crank is spark blue/white?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:57 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYS WATKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1988 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 34,000 MILES
Hi, I bought this car with low miles from a family friend. It has been sitting for many years (only started a couple of times a week but not driven) and it did not start when we tried to start it. Took it to the mechanic who said after extensive battery charging and a little work he was able to get it started, but it blew out a lot of black smoke (not doing that anymore). However, now when I slow down or stop the car stalls. No check engine light is on oil is clean and air filter was changed. Also, the car will only start again if I push the gas all the way down.

What could be the problem?
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,088 POSTS
Hello,

When cars sit for long periods of time the gas gets old in the tank. I would take a sample from the fuel line and look at it to see if this can be your problem. Next read the codes in car here is a guide to help you.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/toyota-trouble-code-definitions-and-code-gathering-method-1990-1995

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYS WATKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Ken,
Thanks for the advice. I had a mechanic look at it and he told me it could possibly be the carburetor. So I took it to a carb guy and it was running great for about 20 miles( I took it on the freeway) by the time I got home I noticed the same thing was happening. I have a 90 days warranty so I'm going to take it back Monday and see what he says. I added some fuel cleaner so not sure if that will help the tank being dirty. I'll update you Monday as soon as I know a little more.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CRYS WATKINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Also there is no check Engine light on so therefore I'm assuming no code.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,088 POSTS
Hello,

This sounds like the fuel tank is contaminated with water in the fuel or something, try to get a fuel sample in a glass jar to see what it looks like, this would explain the carb getting plugged up in a short time.

Please let us know.

Cheers, Ken
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TUMI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1986 TOYOTA COROLLA
Engine Mechanical problem
1986 Toyota Corolla 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Manual

Once up to operating temp. The engine stalls when coming to a stop, check engine light comes on, but the engine starts up again no problem until yhre next stop
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Probably needs a curb idle speed/air and fuel mix adjustment, EGR and PCV valve problem
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TUMI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the prompt reply
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 2:58 PM (Merged)

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