Top 20 1988 Toyota Tercel 2 Door Questions & Answers

the timing is retarded should be at least 10 degrees btdc next the black plugs and wet plug indicates problem injectors , fuel pressure excessive or leaking injector seals in other words flooding engine

I never had a Toyota but if you can change the bulb you should be able to check for voltage. Check voltage at bulb connection and work back from there to find were voltage is lost. If voltage goes into the third light but no voltage at socket it gives you some info on where to look. I had one which had a circuit board which the light plugged into. I had to change the board.

Cold starting problems from a carbureted engine? Bet if you get your choke adjusted right, it will solve it. If you can screech the tires, this Tercel may be worth saving!Just get a mechanic friend or pay someone to fix the choke. Doesn't take a long time if you know how. If you've never adjusted or worked on one, it's not so fun. Hard to explain too. The choke plate or flap should be almost closed completely when starting. Soon as engine is cranked or running, the plate should open a small amount more, but still nearly closed. Then as engine warms, the plate should gradually open until it is completely open after about 5-10 minutes. The choke cuts off the air supply to the engine. A cold engine needs a richer gas mixture to run good, and most importantly to start easy.

try the fuel filter first. check air filter too.

Hi Richard, Your vehicle does not have engine management and therefore there are no codes to read. Before anything else, check all vacuum tubes and hoses are connected correctly to the carburetor and to the sensors and valves on the manifold and cylinder head. Make double sure of the hose connection between the lower part of the carb and the intake manifold. If that is not connected or if it is leaking the engine will exhibit the symptoms you describe. The ignition timing on your vehicle is 10 degrees before top dead center. The timing marks are on the front pulley and the timing cover. These vehicles were fitted sometimes with electronic ignition and sometimes with contact breakers and condenser. If yours has the latter, you should first set the breaker or point gap to point four five mm. This should be done using a feeler gauge. To do this, rotate the engine until the points are fully open against the cam inside the distributor and then adjust by slightly loosening the two screws holding the breakers in place. Move the lower part of the base until the required setting is correct. (It is critical) Once the gap has been set tighten the screws and recheck the gap. Turn the engine by hand to the !0 degrees BTDC firing on piston number one and then loosen the 10mm bolt which locks the distributor and turn it so that the points are closed and just on the verge of opening. The difference between open and closed is the lightest possible finger pressure. Lock the distributor again and make sure that there is a spark at the points. If the vehicle has an electronic distributor, take out the rotor arm and the protective cover under it and set the timing by placing the rotor at the position where it has just past the pickup coil. This will allow the vehicle to start. As the vehicle has a carburetor and not injection, the management system if fitted will be for emission control but not engine management. Once the engine starts re set the ignition timing with a stroboscopic timing light at 10 degrees BTDC. Always set the ignition timing before attempting any adjustment of the carburetor. Once the ignition timing has been, set if the carb has an automatic choke, make sure it is connected and getting electrical power and that the adjustment is correct. If after doing the above the behavior has not improved significantly you will need to remove the anti tamper cover of the mixture control screw, take a long flat screw driver and insert it. The screw is located at the base of the carburetor. Turn it inward lightly until it comes to rest on the face of the seating and then loosen it three and a half turns. Start the engine and turn the screw in or out until the engine runs smoothly. Let me know how you get on and if you manage to sort out the problem. If not we'll have a rethink on what the problem can be. It would help to know what engine we are dealing with and as many other details as possible. Best regards John

You will have to remove crank to replace and removing motor would be my suggestion...Would also suggest having the crank turned.......hope this info helps and good luck......please rate my post....

Your problem is probably the oxygen sensor. murf427

Yes, you do. Also be sure and set the engine at TDC of compression stroke of # 1 cylinder. Remove crank bolt and pulley, remove timing cover...you may also have to remove the front engine mount to get the cover off. Use a jack and a piece of wood under the oil pan to hold the engine up.

Usually if you put the distributor back in without turning the crankshaft, you can line up the rotor with the correct plug wire. They generally will only go in two ways, on the mark or 180 degrees off.The timing marks on the crank are used to check base timing.If you put the dist in and then turn the crank to line up the marks on the damper, you can tell if the rotor is pointing to the correct plug wire.

Open up the trunk, and look for any screws that would link to the tail light light, remove them, then the tail light assembly should pop off. from their remove the bulbs and install new ones, you need to know the size, check modifiedlife.com for the correct light bulb sizes.

hello kay.... the best way to get an approximate cost that is meaningful in your area is to go to this website... http://www.automd.com/repaircost/

Joe

Hi
Hope this helps, 53-64 NM,
Regards
Steve.

Probably best to go to a Toyota car wrecking yard and see what they have.It would have to be the same model engine,and it is a lot to change due to having a computer and associated sensors that would need fitting also.
The Tercel came out with a couple of carbs models.One looked light a bell on its side(copy of a SU type carb),and gave a lot of grief.You can source the conventional type carb and fit as a replacement.
I hope this helps you.

Most parts stores carry these. if not may have to call your dealer. Good luck.
But you really need to check out closely and find what blew the fuse.

Try ebay,,and try the parts store ask 4 a 88 toyota tercel Hayes manual

Yes however they can be shimed But you should weigh the value of that against rebuilding the head and doing a valve job.

have you replaced the pcv valve? it may be stopped up.hope this helps and thank you for choosing fixya.com

Replace throttle cable. I had the same problem and when I inspected the cable I found frayed pieces of cable at the carburetor, but if you are not handy and cannot get under the dash easily then I would suggest you have a tech do it for you.

Check the FLASHERS unit in fuse box.

firstly locate the starter motor; if you don't know what it looks like follow the positive battery lead from the battery to where it is connected,that is the starter motor,you may be able to remove it from the top or from under the vehicle,firstly disconnect the battery lead from the battery then from the starter motor plus the other small lead from the solenoid on the starter,you will see two or three bolts that hold the starter motor in, remove them & the starter motor will pull straight out to replace it opposite to how you took it out....hope this helps....cheers