Hi Scotty my name is Shari, love your car videos, not sure if you will see this but I need some help. I have a Toyota celica 1995 ST automatic has 304,000 miles. I brought this car 2 years ago from the original owner 1 owner. He definitely did not take care of the car. But I brought it wanting to restore it. changed pretty much everything water pump all belts from the dealer, idle control valve throttle body. Recently did complete tune up
-I even did an additive that cleans the motor you recommend. 505 CRO oil system treatment
-Engine oil/filter oem
-transmission fluid change/filter oem
-Spark plugs Denso/plug wires NGK
•Parts:
-Battery Terminals positive and negative autozone
-Power steering pump AutoZone
-power steering fluid/belt oem
-rack and pinion oem
-Brake fluid/ brakes autozone
-Radiator oem
-Fans oem
-Antifreeze
-thermostat oem
Engine mounts front/rear oem
The mechanic did pressure wash it as well. In the process of him working on car, the mechanic damaged the distributor he cracked the cover, and this mechanic has changed the distributor before and was running great even with all those things that needed to be replaced. I explained to him that the car only in the morning struggles feels like it wants to turn off but doesn't turn off. You can see the meter going up and down once it's warmed up it's fine but does do it on and off on the road. Took it back and he thinks it's the distributor since it's an after market one. The car is so close to being restored but with this going on I am not sure what to do. Any thoughts on what it can be since I see you have a celica. 😂
Thanks 🙏 Scotty
Shari
It's only on cold it does it. Sounds like it can be your idle control valve. Less like is the engine coolant temp sensor. I really never heard of one that's bad only acting up in the mornings / cold start but is possible.
A faulty O2 is another possibility. My best guess tho is idle control valve or the coolant temp sensor. . The distributor can be at play as well. You said the cap was damaged. Wrong cap , installation ect can effect it as well. Only weird part is cold start only.
I know some older Celicas had a issue which bogging down at cold start. It usually last a min or 2 then is fine. From what I know that is normal with these cars. That is for the gts I'm not sure if st has same issue. I'm not sure how true that is, I only heard that from other mechanics and Celica fanatics
Hi Rob thanks for the reply, I have changed the idle control valve oem and throttle was cleaned out. It’s possible it can be the coolest temp sensor?🤔 since the mechanic damaged the distributor, he went ahead and replaced the whole thing again brand new.
Coolant” sorry stupid autocorrect 😂
Usually if a distributor is installed wrong you will have a no start, really rough idle or normal ideal with misfire when accelerating. If the idle control valve was replaced with a OEM that rules it out. There is a small possible it can be bad but I would side line that for the time being. Look into the engine coolant temp sensor that is the only other thing that comes to mind. I had one go in my Nissan and sister Cadillac. I'm not to familiar with your car or how things act when they go bad but definitely look into that. You can either bench test the one in car or just replace it. I don't think they cost that much especially if you get a ultra power, ntk, standard , walker or facet which all make Toyota parts like that.. if you want more idea simply post your question again and another member or Scotty will jump in.
Look at the (iat) intake air temp sensor. They can also cause weird things to happen at cold start. If it's just starting to go that may be the only system.
Thanks Rob 🙏 I’ll try the coolant temp sensor and the air temp sensor. If that doesn’t work then it’s possible they damaged the idle control valve too 🙄 thanks so much for the help I appreciate it 👍
No problem.. we're all here to help. If that doesn't fix it just repost and someone else will help you out. It is possible they damaged something, it does happen from time to time. The mechanic should be able to test and check for timing rather easily.