I have an 89 celica gt convertible (automatic trans) with a 2.0 l 4 cylinder which i believe is the 2.0 L 3S-GE I4 engine and i'm sixteen years old and ive been working on this car with my grandpa for years but since he got dementia last year (when i started driving of course) we stopped working on it and he doesn't remember how to do any of it. I just want to know for now why it wouldn't stay running it starts up and will immediately just die after a couple seconds or so. I think its the fuel filter, or an injector but hey i said i was only 16 and dont know a whole lot. So it would be great to find out what is wrong with it. Doesn't help that theres not a whole lot on the internet about 4th gen celicas. And also the car has about 146,000 miles on it.
Sorry to hear about your Grand Dad and medical situation. You will have to buy a Haynes repair manual for that car like on eBAY for $19.99 to learn about the Celica.
More than likely its fuel related as it does run but dies from the lack of. Fuel delivery issues should be investigated. You can also do this as a quick test. Get some starter fluid and after the engine dies..spray some into the intake or carburetor inlet and then crank the engine. If it starts you know its fuel deprivation. Look into the fuel pump operation and how its suppose to work. Remember that if you use the starter spray...you are not in an enclosed garage and have plenty of ventilation. Do not spray for any prolonged period.
Thanks ill make sure to do that but I just checked my spark plugs and they are fine but they are wet which usually indicates flooding but ill still make sure I do that. Thanks again
Check the MAF sensor, replace the fuel filter & pressure test your fuel pump.
This may be a stupid question, but are you using fresh gas? And is the tank clean?
Oh, also load test your alternator & battery.
Good luck & keep us posted.
I filled up the car probably in August and have been using the same fuel since which isn't terribly bad I think but ill make sure to do everything you suggested. Thank you
A car that old might have developed some vacuum leaks. If it is bad enough then it would throw off your A/F ratio at the getgo and keep your from starting. You can look up the vacuum diagrams for the model and rule them out 1/59 at a time but you may be better off isolating it from the intake tube/throttle body onwards. The propane enrichment method will do you better than the smoke or carb cleaner method when checking for leaks. Carb cleaner will wear out rubber and plastic parts faster and you are probably too young to try the smoke method.
