New to the MR2...need help...

[Buckethead]

Hey everyone! I'm a Club4AG transplant looking for some AW11 specific help... here's the nitty gritty of it.

I picked up an 88 Supercharged MR2 for $600. Previous owner said when it ran, it had high reving idle issues and wouldn't stay running for more than a couple minutes before quitting. I bought it with the idea of rebuilding the GZE, and dropping it in my ae86 with a turbo. That is still the plan. But, I want to hear it run and run strong in the MR2 first.

It's cold here right now, and that plays into any older car starting. Battery has a charge and the motor spins free, but I don't think there's any fuel getting to it. Upon reading up, I found the fuel filter seems to be a common and easy enough fix, not to mention, reasonably inexpensive considering other options.

I put the key in, it burps a bit, and then *click-*click-*click's. Is that click the fuel pump attempting to run? Could a fuel filter really be the hold up? What are my options, and what would you guys do? I can't find any manuals for this MR2 locally and will have to order a Haynes. I know that doesn't cover the SC, but at this point, I need all the info I can get. I did purchase a new fuel filter and plan to install it within the week. Any other thoughts? similar issues?

here's a couple things I've already found wrong with it...

In the engine bay fuse box, There was a 10 in the 15A Haz/Radio slot, and it was obviously blown. Replaced it with a new blue 15A. no change.
I don't believe the problem to be electrical, I tried to jump it with my truck, and the car had full power (all lights, etc). I'm still getting a check engine light even after replacing that incorrectly placed and blown fuse.
Previous owner installed a new TPS, thinking that was the high rev idle issue. It didn't fix the problem for him, and I can't even get it to fire, so I can't hear the high rev.
Again, motor is spinning, but no fire. I have to believe it's something in the fuel delivery. So, first and cheapest step, the fuel filter. If that works, I'll update this thread accordingly. But if anyone else has had a similar issue, I'd love to hear any and all input.

[muffinman]

Welcome

If the car has been sitting a long time then it's probably the fuel pump , may not be dead but just too weak but fuel filter may also be in need of changing.
here is the download for the BGB it has the SC
Free File Hosting Made Simple - MediaFire

[Buckethead]

from the few threads on other sites Ive found with very similar sounding issues, a new fuel filter did the trick and there hasn't been other issues. I have a hard time believing just a filter could cause this...but of course I'm willing to try it, and try it first. A $16 fix sounds better right now than a $100 and up pump fix, and who the hell enjoys dropping an AW11 fuel tank? I've heard that's a hellish process...

it has been sitting, and for a while. I was also thinking that perhaps the gas lines are frozen, but as it warms here, I doubt that to be the case.

[muffinman]

did you put in fresh gas?

[Buckethead]

previous owner filled the tank before the winter started, the gas in the tank is no more than 4 months old and its full.

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Buckethead

from the few threads on other sites Ive found with very similar sounding issues, a new fuel filter did the trick and there hasn't been other issues. I have a hard time believing just a filter could cause this...but of course I'm willing to try it, and try it first. A $16 fix sounds better right now than a $100 and up pump fix, and who the hell enjoys dropping an AW11 fuel tank? I've heard that's a hellish process...

it has been sitting, and for a while. I was also thinking that perhaps the gas lines are frozen, but as it warms here, I doubt that to be the case.

Gas doesn't freeze unless it's very, very, very cold, so cold, that it essentially doesn't happen in the real world

Unless you meant frozen water in the fuel lines.

And yes a fuel filter can actually cause that big of a problem, happened to my brother, in a similar situation. He'd bought a ranger for it's engine, and it pretty well wouldn't start 90% of the time, but a fuel filter did it (well it got it to start) the previous owner had ran with no air filter... so it ran, but not well.

[Buckethead]

Yeah, I'm in minnesota, and its been single digits for a while, with odd spikes of 20s and such. Frozen water in the fuel lines happens quite a bit up here (that is what I meant to say, not just frozen gas, thanks for the correction!) especially with older cars, and especially with cars that have been sitting for a few months under 3 feet of snow in a kids driveway lol You're even more north than I am, so you know whats up when someone lets their car sit for a while!

I'm all about a challenge, and this MR2 isn't lettin' me down so far. I can't wait, we're expecting 40s for temp this weekend, and the second that happens, out come the jack stands and in goes the fuel filter. I'm itchin to hear this thing start.... the longer I work on just getting this motor running, the farther off my turbo AE86 is... I've thought about just saying screw it and pulling the gze, but I can't bring myself to do it until I've heard it run.

By the way, once the gze is pulled, and rebuilt, a 20v is going in the mr2. I'm not just gonna let 'er get junked.
As soon as I try the fuel filter, I'll update this thread and let you guys know whats going on. Any other ideas on what it could be? And hey, thanks for the quick responses guys!

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Buckethead

Yeah, I'm in minnesota, and its been single digits for a while, with odd spikes of 20s and such. Frozen water in the fuel lines happens quite a bit up here (that is what I meant to say, not just frozen gas, thanks for the correction!) especially with older cars, and especially with cars that have been sitting for a few months under 3 feet of snow in a kids driveway lol You're even more north than I am, so you know whats up when someone lets their car sit for a while!

Oh the joys of winter!

Actually thats never happened to me But have heard of it happening, but usually when it's that cold, as a general rule the vehicle that doesn't get driven often, doesn't get driven at all

I think though that for the most part the gas companies put in some additives to help prevent problems like that.

I do have the problem of my starter solenoid freezing in the on position. (at about 0 farennheight or colder) I'll shut the car off and it still keeps cranking!! I need to fix that, but winter is almost over so it should be ok soon

You should check to see if you are even getting fuel to the fuel rail, easiest way would probably be to pull out the cold start injector and have someone try to start the car, and of course you should get a good squirt of gas out of it.

^ thats probably the easiest thing to take off to see if it's giving gas.

EDIT: forgot to mention, it seems that the cause of a high idle is often related to a vacuum leak.

[Buckethead]

man, this is fantastic information and exactly what I'm looking for! I'm not terribly green when it comes to cars, but MR2s are a different ball game for me. It's like learning everything all over again with these cars!

I'm trying to find any and all things I can try without dropping the tank for a new pump... I'll give that a shot tonight for real, and I'll do some line tracing and see if any vacuum lines are shot or just not hooked up. I've come across some weird things with this car already, and that wouldn't surprise me one bit!

can you believe they had a 10 fuse in a 15A slot? you'd have a great laugh if I would have taken a pic of that fuse and posted it. I know fuses blow...but this one went out with style lol I'll let everyone know what my finds are and update this tomorrow! Thanks!!!

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by Buckethead

can you believe they had a 10 in a 15A slot? you'd have a great laugh if I would have taken a pic of that fuse and posted it. I know fuses blow...but this one went out with style lol I'll let everyone know what my finds are and update this tomorrow! Thanks!!!

LOL

Ya that is pretty retarded.

You hear that one on mythbusters where supposedly a guy put a bullet in instead of a fuse (the old glass fuses that is)?

And the guy supposedly got shot in the leg, they proved that it could have happened, but they never found the car that could have done it with the fuses pointing to where someone's legs are.

But i completely believe that someone has tried it, and i did find the truck that'd do it, my brothers '73 landcruiser

[Buckethead]

still too cold last night to try and pull the cold start and see if shes getting gas.... im itchin to hear the gze fire...

[85silverna]

the old owner didn't mess with the timing did he? best hope its right on.

[ebouwman]

Originally Posted by 85silverna

the old owner didn't mess with the timing did he? best hope its right on.

When i did my head gasket i did EVERYTHING possible to line up the marks on the dizzy and stuff, and took it to toyota to be timed, and they told me that before they touched it, it was at 15 degrees btdc!!!!

But it didn't hurt anything for the very short time it was wrong

[tjmr2]

Have you pulled a spark plug to see if it's wet with gas after cranking the engine? It may not be wet but you should be able to smell some gas if it cranks and doesn't start.

Are you sure you are getting spark? Hook up a timing light or:

Pull a wire off a plug, connect a new plug in the wire, hold the base against a ground and have someone crank the engine. Don't just use the plug wire when you do this test as the system needs the resistance of the spark plug.

If you have spark a shot of starting fluid in the intake might just be all you need to get it to turn over.

Good luck.

[ebouwman]

is it still too cold?

You should at least do a couple things, put on a pair of gloves man!!

[Jackstand Queen]

I believe that if you get this SC two running good . . . . you will scrap your AE86.

A two seat, mid engined, supercharged car . . . vs. a bread box on wheels . . . . . no contest.

As the weather improves, and you delve deeper into the car's problems . . . this forum will be able to help you out more.

The clicking sound is probably one of the relays in the driver's side of the engine bay. Remove and test them. Removing them may correct the problem by creating a better connection.

[89Mister Two]

Not to jack the thread, but while we're talking about relays. Sometimes I hear a buzzing coming from that area by the fuse box in the engine bay when the car isn't running. Does anyone else's do the same?

[ebouwman]

mine does it, it's really wierd, maybe it's because of the stereo or something?

Because there's no alarm or anything on the car that should be getting power when it's off. And it's always a short buzz then stops

[89Mister Two]

Dunno, it'll do it a several times. It's done it ever since i've owned the car. About three years now. Must be ok cuz it's not affecting anything that i know of.

[ebouwman]

ya, mine does does it once or twice, then goes away for however long