I know, kinda off, but... I've been lookin at a 93ish toyota celica with the same 5sfe engine as my camry, only its goin to a 5spd tranny, not the 4spd auto i have now. Its sittin at a junk yard, with little damage and a good engine and tranny, 115k on it. The reason its there is an electrical issue keeps it from turning over. Is this a common issue with the celica? There are no specifics on teh electrical issue, so I have noidea what to do about it. The car is available for only $350, whenever I choose to get it.

Toyomoho, i know you have something for me right?

 

Not up on Celica, but.

I would make sure the engine is not seized up. If you wonder about this take some tools and attempt to rotate the crank by hand with a socket and breaker bar.

If OK, use jumper cables to connect the neg battery terminal to the engine block and pos terminal to the large electrical terminal coming out of the stater motor. This will bypass all the starter circuits. Of course make sure the car is in neutral.

You want to determine if the engine will crank over using the starter before troubleshooting further. If it cranks over you can start to run down the causes.

The issue could be the starter solenoid. Try jumping the other other side of the solenoid where the pos battery cable attaches. Then apply 12V to the much smaller terminal on the solenoid. This has a small wire running to it from the ign system (might be Brown/Red in color). The power for this wire comes from the starter relay.

If it cranks over the starter solenoid is OK.

Then could be a problem with the starter relay, the lockout clutch switch, ign switch or wiring to these items.

Determine if the ign system turns on with the ign switch. Check for DC power getting to the ign coil. If so and the engine cranks over turn on the ign switch and determine if you can start the engine up.

Also check the following fuses: 100 amp fusible link from battery, AM1, AM2, Main, Starter.

Send a private message with an email address and will reply with a wiring diagram.

 

Well just as a general spec check, does this celica even sound like its worth 350? I mean, its got damage on the passenger side where they lifted it to move it around the lot, so it would need bodywork, and I'd most likely have to do quite a bit just to get it going, no matter what the electrical problem is. The car's only 350 but does it sound worth it in repairs?

 

I don't know.

Do a best guess on how much you think you will need to spend, then look at what cars in OK shape are selling for. Ask yourself if it is cheaper to buy a car in OK shape.

If your thinking of changing over to a 5sp might be worth buying the car for the parts. Or part it out, engine, trans, etc.