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1987 Toyota MR2 SUDDENLY STALLS ENGINE DIES BUT RESTARTS

Tiny
NELUPE
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 TOYOTA MR2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 195,000 MILES
Ever since I had the head gasket replaced, when the engine is hot all the dash lights go on and the engine dies. However, it restarts immediately. Is this related to the head gasket, or is it electrical? Thanks
Sunday, July 19th, 2009 AT 6:44 PM

11 Replies

Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
When you say the engine is "hot" do you mean it is over heated, or is it at normal operating tempature?
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Monday, July 20th, 2009 AT 7:13 PM
Tiny
NELUPE
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  • 5 POSTS
It is just the normal operating temp
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Mmmm.

How often does it do it, like every time you drive the car?

And does it only happen once while you are driving, or does it happen every minute. Try to give me a little more information about the time line.

And finally, is the engine shutting off first, and then all of your warning lights are coming. Or are you sure the lights come on first?
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 9:58 AM
Tiny
NELUPE
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Most of the time it happens after I have been driving for about 15-20 minutes. It seems the lights come on and the engine dies simultaneously. It occurs so quickly that I can't tell what happens first, but I think the lights come on first. It starts back up pretty quickly. Usually just one try - but Sunday it didn't want to start back up right away - however after I tried 2-3 times it started. Once it starts doing this it happens every time I decelerate. I have to stop and let the engine cool completely down. Then it is good for about another 15-20 minutes. Thanks
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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Thanks for the additional info.

It's not good for us that it starts right back up.
Because it needs to not work long enough for you to check things to see if it's not getting gas, or loosing spark.

Right now, we don't anything to go off of.
pull the codes and hopefully there will be something there.
use a jumper wire and jump these two contacts in the plug that looks like this


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/281878_toy_jumper_1.jpg

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Tuesday, July 21st, 2009 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
NELUPE
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  • 5 POSTS
What should happen when I hook the jumper wires?
If there is a problem what will happen and what should I do about it? I understand what to do but I don't know what it means. Thanks
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,262 POSTS
Use a jumper and jump those two connectors.

then get in the car and turn the key to the ON position.

the check engine light will start to flash.

now, knowing how to count the codes is kinda a trick the first few times you do it.

here is a video of me pulling codes.
It's on a different car, but the way the light flashes the code at you will be the same.
jump ahead to 2:30
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRoSMhEL3Ms
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 9:45 AM
Tiny
PHABEJ
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  • 3 POSTS
I had the same exact problem with my '89 MR2 as well. Have you figured what was wrong?
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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 1:31 PM
Tiny
NELUPE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I had a mechanic run the test as described in the prior communications. It showed something with the ignitor. The mechanic replaced the computer (it had a visible burn area on it). And tightened the wires to it. So far so good. He said that probably the wire to the ignitor wasn't connecting to the computer correctly (which is more likely than the ignitor actually going bad). I drove it yesterday for about an hour with no problems. Hope this helps.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 3:14 PM
Tiny
BUDDYCRAIGG
  • MECHANIC
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Ok, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
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Monday, July 27th, 2009 AT 3:17 PM
Tiny
PHABEJ
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Which computer did you had replaced? Was it one of the computer on the back of the luggage compartment? Or any of the relays? Also, how much did you have to pay for the new one? I'm almost certain that my issue might be the exact of yours, but I can't pin point what's causing it. Thanks.
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Tuesday, July 28th, 2009 AT 1:58 PM

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