Newbie and I rescued a 2

[lostsoul86]

Hello all, my name is Andrew and I live in the Venice, FL area. Just wanted to check in per the pm I received upon sign-up. I found myself a Red on black 1991 Turbo 5-speed, power everything, with one slight problem, a completely absent minded previous owner who started pulling it apart It was reported that the engine smoked when the car was warm, and thought it was a blown head gasket. To my knowledge, a blown head gasket would result in smoking all the time, regardless of engine temp. I've looked over the entire engine bay and discovered oil residue within the intercooler and piping, around the turbo, and on the exhaust side of the engine. Well, after getting everything back on and replacing a few things, the engine fails to turn over I've checked that all connections are made, everything is tight, etc. I checked voltage to the starter and there's 12v constant, regardless if the key is turned on or not I've read about the process of the anti-theft system, and have gone through it, yet still nothing. Anyone care to help a new owner out? Could it in fact be the starter itself is frozen up? Also, is it possible for the clutch to be engaged after it sitting for a while? I jacked the rear end of the car up to turn te wheels while in gear, figuring the starter was frozen, and there's little or no resistance.

[ixtlann]

def have starter checked iunless im missing sumthing

[muffinman]

does the starter even sound like its trying to engage?

[lostsoul86]

Originally Posted by muffinman

does the starter even sound like its trying to engage?

Not at all. I can turn the key, every solenoid clicks and the starter relay works as I tested it w/ an ohm meter and when it's put to start, nothing at all. I checked any and all connections, unless I may have missed one. Is there a connection on the intake side of the starter where it sits possibly that I may have missed? There was a bolt missing from the starter that I replaced after finding the correct one from the small box of bolts that were taken off Is there a ground strap on the opposite side of the power connection (intake side) where that bolt was missing? There was nothing near it that looked like a connection or any part of the wire harness that should be around there My next bet is to pull the starter and check it

[ixtlann]

Any luck? If you were in ohio u could borrow a starter from me :P

[lostsoul86]

I spent an 1 and 1/2 hours trying to pull the starter! I cannot for the life of me get it off It's only 2 bolts holding it on! I'm fearing more than just replacing the starter at this point Anyone here know if the Celica 3sgte motor is similar except for the intercooler and trans?

[ixtlann]

iirc there is some small trick, u should really get a factor service manual, any who iirc 2 of the start bolts are alse tranny bolts or sumthing, does that help?

[boost420]

www.mr2-tech.com/bgb.htm

You will find the procedures for removing the starter in here. I would have linked you to the section but there seems to be to many people on there already as it says the bandwidth has been exceeded.

[lostsoul86]

I ordered the $147 shipped factory service manuals looks like I'm in for some reading

thanks ixtlann and boost420. I have actually been trying to get on the online manual for the past 2 days

[ixtlann]

Yeah i heard the online thing is all backed up or sumthing

[mr2tim]

Dude,

let me get this right.

You have 12v at starter all the time?
When you key it, boom no current right?

Hotwire the starter to check it. Take a battery w jumper cables even..
We know your battery is at 100% 12v right?
My 89S/C system utilizes a single 'bolt on" ground connection.Does this model?(sucks)
Are the nearby ground points clean and not rusted/corroded?

If all the above are cool,use your new book to test the ignition/key.
Oh yeah, your gonna need a Ohm-meter/voltmeter that has ability to make continuity checks on bad wires.

welcome to aged Toyota electricals?

Keep the club updated we love a good mystery story.

[lostsoul86]

Finally got the starter out today, it was frozen in it's mount!! Went to see my friend at the autoparts store and he had a reman'd unit in stock I compared the 2 units, and the new one definitely has more resistance (reduction gear after I removed the starter motor from the old one) and more movement than the one I pulled I'll see what goes down tomorrow and if she'll fire. I can only hope now

Mr2Tim, you are correct on most of your questions replied. I had checked everything to the best of my knowledge only being a shadetree mechanic, but never in my short life has something stumped me as bad as this 2 has now

[ixtlann]

Yay for you lets us know!

[lostsoul86]

She lives!! Now I gotta find what hose the coolant is leaking from

[ixtlann]

ooh no! , crosses fingers! if you need some used mr2 parts hit me up. i got 1 or 2 of them im gonna part out

[lostsoul86]

Will do. So far so good.

Oh yeah, could someone possibly get me some pictures or link me to some? I need a picture of the frunk and how it came stock, and a picture of the water inlet pipe that goes to the head (electricals mainly, I think I may have the single wire connectors backwards, but want to make sure that they truely are.)

[lostsoul86]

figured I'd update everyone thus far. In the process of replacing the HFH and HFHOE and all associated gaskets and seals. Cleaning up things as I go along, cleaning rusted pieces and repainting them. She runs, she just has a coolant leak right now. A few goodies have arrived for the car that I can't wait to put on. Then the decision is which 15x7 wheels I want and which rubber I should get in 215/50-15 and 225/50-15 I should choose. I'm nostalgic and this car will see Auto-X duties around FL as well as be my DD