1988, Toyota Corolla FX, 124000 miles.Car wont crank.

Without being there, it sounds like the engine has locked up. The noises in the engine give it away. Good Luck --let me know

Thanks for your reply.
I am a novice when it comes to cars. I have a few questions about what you said.

what does the engine being locked up mean?

Also , I read somewhere that loud clicking and grinding noises emanate when the aternator dies.. Could it be possible that, the battery terminals getting hot, and the noises that came from the engine was because of a possibly bad alternator?

Take off all the belts and then try and turn the engine over. It will isolate anything driven by the fan belt.

If it still won't turn over then put a tool on the crankshaft pully and try and hand turn the engine.


if it does turn over then the starter is the problem. If not you will need a new engine.

Locked up means that a piston, main or rod bearing had frozen to it's component metal surface and caused the engine to seize. It means a new (another) engine. Let me know