Will not start

Tiny
RENEE1215
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL
. The engine turns over, there is both spark and fuel but it will not start. Any ideas of what to check?
Sunday, February 18th, 2007 AT 12:18 PM

35 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If it has a distributor system-remove distributor cap and check the rotor while its cranking-is it turning-if not check the chain/belt and distributor shaft gear.
It takes 3 things to make them run... spark/fuel/compression. You may be missing the last one, have you done a compression test?

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

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression
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Sunday, February 18th, 2007 AT 2:28 PM
Tiny
DRE1965170DC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Been too 2 different mechanics so far with no luck. Engine will turn over but will not start. First mechanic said it was the ingition Igniter, replaced it with no luck, 2nd mechanic said it was the ECU, replaced it with 2 different ECU's (used) with no luck. Sometimes the car will start after sitting a couple of days, when it does want to start it runs real rough (cant even drive it) and after idleing for about 5 minutes it smooths out and runs good. Checked it for spark, no spark. When the key is turned on I dont hear the fuel pump. I disconnected the fuel line from the filter and I get fuel only while cranking the car over. Vehicle was at the dealership for almost 2 weeks and they dont have a clue. Please. Can you help me?
Thanks
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
You have to check all of this stuff when the vehicle is not running.

And will not start.

Check for spark, all cylinders with spark plug tester, if spark is present spray a bit of starting fluid in throttle body then start it, run now? If not try more starting fluid.

If not let the fluid come out of there then put a gas soaked rag in the air intake and try to start it, fire up now? If not thers something wrong with the compression or spark timing, maybe due to bad timing, hows a compression check go?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRE1965170DC
  • MEMBER
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Like I posted in my question. There is no spark. Changed out the Igniter, coil packs and ECU. Still no spark.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Do you call the ignition control module the igniter? Some people use igniter to explain coil, icm and spark plugs, I need to know which one you replaced.

Is it a distributed vehicle or is it distributorless.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRE1965170DC
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Its called the igniter, not a coil from what I'm told you either have one or the other, my car has the igniter, its mounted on the firewall. Its also distributorless. Thanks for your reply.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRITZ47
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
Last running, had to pump accelerator to keep running. Replaced fuel filter & then fuel pump.
Have fuel to filter
Have spark
compression 1-4, 80 / 80 / 60 / 70
checked timing, crank at TDC compression, cams marked in time.
At first turn over, sounds like 1 or more cylinders try to fire. Then motor just spins over by starter.
I am not familiar with EFI systems
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLACKOP555
  • MECHANIC
  • 10,371 POSTS
Check for 12v going into the coil and igniter first to see if its getting the +12v refrence from the key. After that the next step would be to check for -12v pulse on the negative side, you can hook a test light up to the connector and crank it.

If no refrence is foudn from that disconnect the crank and cam shaft sensor then retest.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Normal compression on that motor is 185psi minimum compression is 128psi so that compression is low. If you have the correct fuel pressure and spark is good then I would say ypur compression is too low. Does it start and run for a few seconds normal you spray some carb spray in the throttle body and try to start it?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FRITZ47
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
This car has sat over a year, I got too frustrated with it.
Today put a new battery in it, checked everything as before.
I cranked it over continuously, while pumping the accelerator A LOT.
Eventually the motor fired weakly, then began to gain power. I was able to maintain revs and even control rpm as long as I maintained revs well above idle.
As I let off the accelerator, the power died and the motor eventually stalled. I can fire it up by pumping the accel furiously, but the motor will respond only to accelerator way above idle.
What to check / test next?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If the car sat for over a year you could have a fuel quality issue also what is your actual fuel pressure? Also again your compression readings are terrible way bellow minimum compression readings should be.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:15 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUZIEQ352
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 1.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 189,000 MILES
Hi I have a95 Toyota tercel dx, when I turn the key it sometimes starts everyother time you turn key it does nothing no sound or even a click but if you push in clutch turn key it starts right up no problems. Next time I stop same thing. What could I check for? And does this car have a relay switch? Thanks for any help suzieq
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
Have you checked to make sure the safety switch on the clutch pedal is good and working properly?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUZIEQ352
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Hi thanks how would a thanks suzieqgal like me check that?
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUZIEQ352
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Sorry, how would a gal like me check for the switch is bad or good? Any help? Please thank you so much.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
First, turn the key to the run position (engine off). Using a test light or volt meter, check to see if there is power to one side of the switch. One side should have 12v and the other nothing. Next, depress the pedal and check again. Both sides should have 12v.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPECIALONE1237
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA TERCEL
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
I have a 1995 toyota tercel and for two years it hasnt been use. When it was used I never had any problems but because it has been sitting in my drive way not touched or ran in two years, im of course having trouble starting it now, ive changed the oil and put new gas in it but I dont know much about cars, im not sure where to start fixing the problem it will crank up but wont start. Plz help!
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Start by checking the basic
check for spark
check for fuel pressure
check fuses
check timing belt
not sure how let me know

need manual CHECK IT @
https://www.2carpros.com/kpages/auto_repair_manuals.htm
_________________
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SUZIEQ352
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Would you no where I can find a diagram for the switch I want to see if I can change it myself? Thanks and bless you for your help. Suzieq
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,640 POSTS
I have the wiring schematics, but I can't copy and paste them. It doesn't let me. The switch should be toward the top of the clutch pedal. See if you can find it.
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Monday, January 14th, 2019 AT 6:16 PM (Merged)

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