car didn't start this afternoon..

[lessdangerous]

I drive a 1995 Eagle Talon non-turbo. I drove it to the store late last night, but it wouldn't start up today.

When I try to start the car, it makes the quick low er-er-er-er noise like usual, but doesn't start up like it does. Just the er-er-er noise for as long as I hold the key turned forward.

I tried jump-starting the car with no luck. I tried push-starting the car with no luck (manual transmission).

I've experienced a problem like this before, though I'm not sure its the same thing. I recently had my spark plugs replaced, as I was previously running on three cylinders for a little while (so the car was having touble starting, running, etc.). When this happened before, it was after the spark plugs were replaced. It was cold outside (as was the engine), but the car started up but stalled after driving down the block. I couldn't get it started again. After putting in some gas and trying to jump start it, it still wouldn't start. Finally I wiggled around the wires on my battery terminal (one of them were loose) and it soon after started. I don't know if this was the solution to the problem or not.

I am pretty sure though that the problem this time is not the battery.

 

[khartley]

I would quit 'holding the key forward' for long periods of time, that's not good.

I would start with simple stuff, like the connection to the battery. Your positive cable might be on good enough to power little things, but not connecting well enough to start the car. Check it out, maybe take it off and clean it, then put it back on really tight. If wiggling the cable got it to start the first time, then I would say it has something to do with that. If it's loose enough to 'wiggle', then it's probably not making a good connection.

 

[OTUG]

Hello, all.

I'm an admin at OTUG(toyotaunderground.net) and a mod on 4gcelica.net, and used to mod the 4th gen. forum at celica.net.. just so you know I'm not a total noob.

I'm this guy's roommate.

Anyway, I took a look at the car earlier, and I'm afraid his descrip. isn't entirely easy to understand haha. What he's talking about that "fixed it" did not fix it.. this was for another time when he experienced similar symptoms, but I can confirm that it is definitely not the battery, or the connector. The starter was cranking strong, and even a push-start did not work (in which case, if the battery were the problem, it would not have affected the push-start since it would just run straight off the alternator) The positive connection was solid. The negative connection was not as solid, but it was making contact. From what I understand, it would just run like absolute shite if the negative weren't making contact, but that it would not run at all if the positive weren't making contact. I replaced the plugs and wires awhile ago, but that's irrelevant. All wires are making contact.

I"ve deducted that it's either getting no spark, or no fuel. I'm guessing no spark unless the fuel pump has a weak link on these cars.

I'm just looking for some common knowledge about the workings of these two systems on DSM's.. I know them pretty well on Toyotas, but on a DSM, I'm not sure what the exact setup is, or what tends to go first. Can anyone help us out? -Jason (blck87gtconv on OTUG and 4GC)

 

[khartley]

Check out this thread, if you haven't already, it might give you more ideas.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=123111

 

[OTUG]

Thanks, man. That helps a ton. Looks like I've got some work ahead of me.