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Shut off while driving

Tiny
ABBY0502
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 TOYOTA CELICA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 270,157 MILES
On my way to work my car completely shut off while I was driving it. I realized there was no oil in it, put oil in it and still wouldn’t start. I replaced the ignition distributor, got a new battery because old one was bad, replaced the spark plugs and it will start now but anytime I attempt to drive it out of the parking spot, it shuts off the car. There is no knocking sound to indicate the engine is seized or locked up (plus it wouldn’t be able to start otherwise) and no matter how much I rotate the new distributor, it idles rough and it doesn’t idle like it would normally. It’s almost as if when idling the RPMs slowly go down as it continues running in place. I don't know if it could be the transmission possibly?
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Friday, January 15th, 2021 AT 12:36 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Hi,

How low was the oil? Have you checked for codes? Here is a link showing how it's done on this vehicle:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/toyota-trouble-code-definitions-and-code-gathering-method-1990-1995

If you haven't checked codes, do that and let me know what you find.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, January 16th, 2021 AT 4:11 PM
Tiny
ABBY0502
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have checked codes, only code (I can’t remember the number since it’s OBD1) is for the front right ABS speed sensor because there’s something with the cruise control that’s messed it up, but that wouldn’t cause the current issue. The oil was pretty much almost dry, but the engine didn’t seize up because it’ll start and move about a foot when I attempted to drive it but then it’ll just shut off. I did attempt to adjust the ignition distributor to see if that would help the idling RPMs but it didn’t do much. My friend said it could be the timing belt or needs a timing adjustment but there’s no slapping sound to indicate that the belt snapped.
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Sunday, January 17th, 2021 AT 10:29 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Can you do me a favor? Record the engine starting, running, and then stalling. Upload that for me so I can hear it.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, January 18th, 2021 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
ABBY0502
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Will do. I’m not home right now so I’ll try to do it later this evening or tomorrow.
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Tuesday, January 19th, 2021 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Sounds like a plan. I will watch for your reply.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 20th, 2021 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
ABBY0502
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So when I went to go try and start it this time it wouldn’t start at all again. A friend suggested the timing is off.
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 1:30 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
It doesn't sound like a timing issue. When it does that, see if it starts for a couple of seconds using starting fluid. If it does, then we know it is a fuel related issue. If it doesn't, then it is likely ignition.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, January 21st, 2021 AT 6:29 PM

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