Car wont turn over Options

[block]

My dads 99 celica gt wont start. Itll try to turn over but theres something preventing it from turning over completely. Possible fuel issue? He did a tune up but nothing. No clicks and no, its not the battery. Anyone have an idea? Ill probably go back and get a video tomorrow after work. Never dealt with this before. It has always been alternator, starter, or battery for me. Thanks.

[chacha]

i say, maybe alternator...that usually happens to me too...since you have your battery....check it...could be all three...but definitely start with battery to alternator and last starter....

[Box]

All the alternator does is charge the battery while the car is running, along with providing electricity to the car. If it's not the battery I'd look into the starter. Fuel or spark wouldn't keep the car from turning over.

[richee3]

Check the starter first.

This post has been edited by richee3: Jan 27, 2013 - 10:47 PM

[xrav22]

Check the starter first.

Fuel pump might be out

[ILoveMySilly97]

If you turn your key to on and all you hear is clicking noises then should just take out your battery and take it into AutoZone to get it charged/tested. It's free so it's probably the best first step into diagnosing your problem. Or if you know someone else that has an i4 Camry then just swap batteries and see if it starts up. I'll still recommend taking the battery into AutoZone. Just because your car starts up with a different battery doesn't mean it's a bad battery. Could be a bad alternator that's not recharging a good battery.

This post has been edited by ILoveMySilly97: Jan 28, 2013 - 12:21 AM

[Galcobar]

You said no clicking, but the engine's trying to turn over.

If you mean you can hear the starter spinning, but not the engine, that would indicate the starter's not engaging against the flywheel properly, which says the teeth on the flywheel or the starter gear are broken.

If you mean the engine's not actually turning over then I'd agree with Box and Richee, you're looking at the starter motor or the connections to it. Until the starter can spin the engine, fuel and spark aren't a factor. You stated the battery was tested for sufficient voltage. So check that your clutch start switch (manual transmission) or neutral start switch (automatic) are working. Then get the starter tested and check continuity (manual transmission has a starter relay and resistance on the primary connections to it.

If you mean the engine cranks too slowly to catch and fire, that's usually a weak battery or connections. The ground strap near the starter's key for this one. It could be a faulty starter, but Toyota starters rarely fail except when their solenoid contacts wear out, which is a $10 fix.

However, if you mean the starter motor is cranking the engine but the engine won't keep turning without the starter -- it's not firing -- that's a different set of issues. Fuel and spark are the question.

[block]

Thanks guys. Nothing at all. I've checked all the basics (starter, battery, alt, etc) and they were still good. My guess is that it's a fuel issue but I am not sure @ this point. It's been too damn cold to really get around the engine so until then it'll sit for the next month or so We had a Toyota mechanic come look at it and he can't seem to pin point out a problem besides the little oil on the tips of the spark plugs. We will probably have to get it into a shop to have it diagnosed.

[Box]

Hmm, could be the EFI fuse perhaps. Check all the fuses and relays that have to do with the car running.

[mkernz22]

Replace the coil in the distributor!!!
That was the problem with mine.

It would keep cranking, but wouldn't start. Was getting fuel, air, and had compression.

Try spraying starting fluid in there and see if it will start.

[blackliftback]

Ok. For starters.... there are rules to cars besides " it has to be alt starter or battery"

In order for a gasoline engine to run. You need the following 3 things in order to start and run.
compression, spark, and fuel.

If it has all 3 of these and still does not start... then the problem is in the timing.

Theres ways of checking these itmes easily. Only takes a few mins for each. Just let me know if you need
step.by step directions.

[cyberblader1130]

Can you get a video of what happens when you try to start it?

[blackliftback]

Can you get a video of what happens when you try to start it?

Hes pretty much saying that it cranks but doesnt fire up. He just needs to check for spark, fuel and compression.

[gts4]

Same thing with mine. Could it be the cold weather? I wen from having to give it gas to start to it not starting at all (but cranking) this morning. Ideas? What's the best way to test for compression, air, & fuel? I took a battery pack to it so that's not it.