Cold start issue/oil pressure gauge stopped working

[Sherg86]

Hello fellas,
I just bought my 87 corolla GTS about a month ago and i love her.
I apologize in advance for the noob question(s).

I've been having issues on starting it when it's cold outside, I live in Chicago so it gets pretty chilly. I looked at the ground terminal on the battery and realized it was a little loose, so I took care of it and got it secure, the next morning i still had a issue starting it. It takes about 7 tries to get her up and running. I understand that there's a cold start fuel injector, is it possible that it could be at fault? or perhaps a coolant temp sensor? Is there ways to test to see which one could be at fault? I really don't know much about these cars, I just transitioned from a 240, so any help is appreciated.

Also, my oil pressure gauge in the cluster just went out, from what I read, it's supposed to be located under the distributor, however, I couldn't quite locate it. Does anybody have a diagram or a picture that illustrates it's location?

[jondee86]

Welcome to club4AG

Here is some information on the cold start injector system...
http://club4ag.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=14683

And a pic of the oil pressure sender...



The oil pressure sender is the round mushroom thing and the
connector is the slide clip that fits to the little brass nipple on
the end of the sender. Not uncommon for the slide clip to get
knocked off while changing filters etc.

Cheers... jondee86

[Sherg86]

thank you much! I will go and investigate immediately!

[Jinsoku]

what happens when you try to start it?
vid with a explanation of events is probably easier and more effective.

did you find the oil pressure sensor?

[Sherg86]

@Jinsoku - I was lookin for the oil pressure sensor, but couldn't quite locate her, it was awfully dark and i didn't have adequate light. But when I leave work today at about 3 PM, I will be able to make a video as well as have a better shot at finding the oil pressure sensor. Again, I appreciate you guys helping me out.

[jondee86]

Pressure sender can finish up underneath the P/S pump mounting
bracket as shown in these two pics...

With bracket on...
http://www.kaiowas.co.uk/images/mr2/scoilcoolerpipes/2.jpg

And with bracket off..
http://www.kaiowas.co.uk/images/mr2/scoilcoolerpipes/1.jpg

Cheers... jondee86

[Sherg86]

Sorry about not posting a video of the cold start, I made it, but i just don't have a data cable to upload to the computer and post.

Jondee86 - Would I have to remove the exhaust mani to remove the power steering bracket?

[Sherg86]

I've attached a link to teh video of a cold start.

Typically when it's colder outside it'll be harder to start. If it's super cold, i have to keep the clutch pedal in and the revs climb towards 2k. If i let out the clutch, the revs fall very quickly and the car dies. In this situation, I keep the clutch in for about a minute or so.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew5U6uo ... e=youtu.be

[jondee86]

Cold start on the video looks kind of normal. The AE86 has old skool
EFI, and does not have a lot of smarts as far as cold starts are concerned.
The cold start injector is a substitute for pumping the gas pedal to prime
the engine, and the cold temp enrichment together with the thermostatic
idle-up valve, is the choke equivalent. If these systems are working as
intended, the car is usually a reliable starter. Maybe give the thermostatic
idle-up valve (ISCV) a spring clean to make sure its not partially blocked.
And raise the warm idle speed up to 950rpm or so using the idle air bypass
screw that is located down a tube on the side of the throttle body.

The last bolt on the bracket which is nearly above the oil filter should be
able to be reached with a socket on an extension. But before I removed
all that stuff I would see if I could get my hand far enough up there to feel
if the slide clip was on or off.

Cheers... jondee86

[Sherg86]

Jondee86 Thanks mate you're a beast

[Moto_Club4AG]

Hello fellas,
I just bought my 87 corolla GTS about a month ago and i love her.
I apologize in advance for the noob question(s).

I've been having issues on starting it when it's cold outside, I live in Chicago so it gets pretty chilly. I looked at the ground terminal on the battery and realized it was a little loose, so I took care of it and got it secure, the next morning i still had a issue starting it. It takes about 7 tries to get her up and running. I understand that there's a cold start fuel injector, is it possible that it could be at fault? or perhaps a coolant temp sensor? Is there ways to test to see which one could be at fault? I really don't know much about these cars, I just transitioned from a 240, so any help is appreciated.

Also, my oil pressure gauge in the cluster just went out, from what I read, it's supposed to be located under the distributor, however, I couldn't quite locate it. Does anybody have a diagram or a picture that illustrates it's location?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Moto_Club4AG]

Oil pressure sending unit sensor looks like a plug with one wire attached to it with a blade connection.

As for the rest of the issues, it could be a whole list of things and usually better to have a shop diagnose it rather than getting blind suggestions. It's a 30 year old car so it can be previous owners customizations or lack of maintenance, age of equipment, wiring issues, faulty ignition parts, injection, fuel pumps, AF units, or even modules... .


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk