1991 Toyota Cressida starter problems

WEARP

MEMBER
1991 TOYOTA CRESSIDA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
280,000 MILES

I have a 91 toyota cressida that was running good until a small heater hose on the back side of motor blew and my wife had to pull of the interstate. She drove car about a half mile and shut it off. Every since then it won't start. I replaced battery, alternator, and starter all with new ones. When I turn ignition key to start the car all the lights on the panel will light up but the car will not start. Dead silence, no solinoid sound trying to engage starter nothing. I even tested starter neutral switch by putting transmission in neutral and tried to start car. Nothing dead silence. Is there an easy way to troubleshoot the ignition switch? Is there a fuse that I need to test? If the ignition switch is bad would I be able to replace it myself? I forgot to mention that the engine did not freeze up." -__________ I put a socket on the end of the crankshaft and used a breaker bar and turned the motor over. "

1 Reply

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

If I understand you correctly, the engine is not turning at all. . ..period. You turn the key even after you have replaced all those things - the lights come on but the engine just sits there in silence.

Remove the spark plugs and connect a socket onto the crankshaft and see if the engine turns or it is frozen.

If it does not turn at all - then my guess is when the hose blew, all the anti-freeze came out and the engine overheated and seized up.

I have also attached the testing of the ignition switch. . ..if the test comes out okay then you might try what I have below to confirm the engine is frozen. I also attached replacement of the ignition switch.

If it does rotate, then see if you can't connect a jumper cable directly to the positive lead on the starter. As you already know since you work on cars that is a HOT wire now. So make sure it doesn't ground on anything to spark. Next take the other end and touch the positive side of the battery. Does the starter try to engage but can't turn the flywheel? Has it engaged the flywheel and is stuck in it because it can't turn it?

Then again, to me you have bypassed all items in the ignition and went directly from the battery to the starter - the same as a bench check on the starter. Which again indicates the engine is froze.

Service and Repair
Notes

Disconnect battery ground cable.
Remove steering wheel, if necessary, steering column garnish, if equipped, upper and lower covers.
Disconnect electrical connectors from ignition switch.
Turn ignition key to ACC position and remove ignition key cylinder.
Remove screw and ignition switch.
Reverse procedure to install.