1991 Toyota Corolla Won't start

Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 13,601 MILES
The car ran when parked, and was parked for 4 yrs. I had to change change the fuel pump, fuel filter. I flushed the fuel tank, and added new fuel. I used the diagnosis port and crossed the B+ to the FP slots to check it and the pump now works. I am getting fuel to the fuel bar(I guess thats what its called) because I can here fuel flowing through it when I cross the ports and there was pressurized fuel in it when loosened the fuel line connected to it. I am getting spark in the new plugs although it seems a little weak. What else should I check and in what order should I check it?
Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 5:15 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
1991 Toyota Corolla Won't start

You got fuel pressure but is it the correct fuel pressure? Get the readings and get back.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 5:37 PM
Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Yes 44lbs
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 6:21 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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This readingis is this with or w/o vacuum to the fuel pressure regulator?
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I don't know. Took reading just after Filter. If the pressure was good what next. I am pressed for time and Im limited in my mechanic skills and haven't got a lot of tools. If the pressure regulator is likely the problem, where is it whats it look like, and how do I check its Vaccume.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 7:06 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The pressure regulator should be on one end of the fuel rail with a vacuum hose attached to it
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 9:27 PM
Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I found it. No fuel in the Vaccume hose connected to it, so I guess the diaphram in the regulator is good. I understand now. I need to check the pressure while turning the engine over rather than jumping B+ to FP.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Do you have vacuum on the vacuum hose?
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 10:19 PM
Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
It feels like there is some vacuum but I don't have a vacuum guage. My finger can slightly feel suction. How much suction should it put on my finger?
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 10:47 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dunno about the finger method-vacuum gauge is the way to go about 18-21inch will do it Or you can try this little trick of mine Tee-in another vacuum hose long enough to reach the EGR valve disconnect its vac hose and hook up the vacuum hose did it cause the engine to run rough if so its good enough for the regulator.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
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If car sat for 4 years without a fuel stabilizer in tank, you most likely have a significant varnish build up.

Get a noid light and make sure injectors are firing, spark should be blue snapping spark, anything else is considered no spark.

There is a special tool set to check fuel pressure at rail. You remove the cold start valve at the rail and screw in adapter, then hook up to mechanical gauge.

Also remove plugs and check compression.

If weak spark then most likely and ignitor is bad, on this engine (4AFE), it is actually cheaper to buy a remanufactures dist, rather than the ignitor (ign. Module) itself.

You can also get a used dist. From a junkyard. Look for one from a 90-92 Toyota Corolla or Geo Prizm.
If you find a car listed above, remove and buy the two fuse/relay boxes near the left front strut. They contain fuses, but also very expensive relays that you may need.
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Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 6:34 AM
Tiny
JOHN HOWELL
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I got the vacuum guage but the car won't start. How am I suppose to get a vacuum reading? I tried to get a reading while I was turning the engine over but the needle just shook between 4 and 8 inches.
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Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,548 POSTS
You are going to have to check fuel pressure and injector pulse.

This is most likely a fuel problem because it sat for so long. Gasoline will decompose within 60-90 days, after 4 years it has most likely clogged the fuel system to the point it is not getting any fuel.

Try a local "U Pull It" and get a fuel rail and dist.

Toyota made hundreds of thousands of these engines, so they should be easy to find.
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Sunday, May 10th, 2009 AT 7:38 AM

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