Toyota engine problem

derrick

I have a Toyota Carina E 1996 1.6 petrol on a P plate that has been sorned for 5 years, last week I had it fully serviced, MOT’d and a new cam belt fitted, it was brought back to my house on Friday and parked on the drive by the mechanic, I later put it into my garage.

Yesterday I tried to start the car but the engine would not turn over, it just “chattered” like a machine gun and an orange light on the dash shaped like an engine came on, according to the manual this light says I should take the car to a Toyota dealer.

Any ideas what the problem can be and the remedy. Could it be the cam belt?




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marlot

Sounds like a flat battery

arcon5

Could be absolutely anything on a car sat for 5 years. Any garage should be able to code read it. Breakdown cover?

derrick

marlot wrote: »

Sounds like a flat battery

Definitely not a flat battery, it is fully charged.

arcon5 wrote: »

Could be absolutely anything on a car sat for 5 years. Any garage should be able to code read it. Breakdown cover?

Car has been regularly started over the 5 years without problems.

I do not think this car can be code read,I have never seen a computer plug. also as I can't start it I cannot get it to a garage.

Car is insured and will be taxed from 1st October, as will be the breakdown cover.

The garage picked it up and dropped it off, they never said anything, it has not been run since it was dropped off, save to put it into my garage on Friday.
I have heard the sound it is making on another vehicle I had many years ago but cannot remember what the fault was, but as the "dealer laight" has come on i am wondering if it is anything to do with the cam belt.

I was after some info before I contact the garage that did the work.


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colino

If you are confident the battery is good (an old one can show 13+ volts on a voltmeter but be unable to deliver any current) I would check the main body earth cable and the cables to the starter motor. It does indeed sound like the chattering of the solenoid when there isn't enough power to actually rotate the starter.
Don't waste your time looking for an OBD port.

derrick

colino wrote: »

If you are confident the battery is good (an old one can show 13+ volts on a voltmeter but be unable to deliver any current) I would check the main body earth cable and the cables to the starter motor. It does indeed sound like the chattering of the solenoid when there isn't enough power to actually rotate the starter.
Don't waste your time looking for an OBD port.

OK looks like it was a flat battery, the garage that did the work came and used a booster pack and it started right away

I kept the battery charged, even charged it all last night, (charger showed full, i.e.the needle barely moved), the charger and meter showed charged and 12.5 volts, when engine running it goes up to 13.5 volts with rear demister and headlights on thus showing it is charging.

I have started the car regularly and had no problems until yesterday, i.e. after the service, hence why I “suspected” cam belt.

Well we live and learn, I have not heard that noise before from a flat battery.

Thanks for the replies.


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colino

Equally I wouldn't be running to buy a new battery yet. It could have been something as daft as the car radio or lights being left on when it was in for repair.

derrick

colino wrote: »

Equally I wouldn't be running to buy a new battery yet. It could have been something as daft as the car radio or lights being left on when it was in for repair.

Not to sure, the car was started nearly 3 hours ago, I left it running for an hour, have just checked via volt meter, battery reading 12 volts, turn on headlights and rear demister, drops to 11 volts, I am not starting it yet, (want to leave while tomorrow morning), but last Wednesday I had it running, volt meter at 13.5 with headlights and rear demister on.

Even before garage started it this morning I switched on headlights and demister, all seemed fine

With charger connected it is showing full, i.e.the needle barely moved when I switched charger on.


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JustinR1979

Good luck in the morning....

forgotmyname

12 volts is too low for the battery with the engine running. Closer to 14 volts should be seen. 13.6 at least.

Dropping to 11 volts under load = a kaput alternator. Or a seriously weak battery thats dragging it down.

derrick

forgotmyname wrote: »

12 volts is too low for the battery with the engine running. Closer to 14 volts should be seen. 13.6 at least.

Dropping to 11 volts under load = a kaput alternator. Or a seriously weak battery thats dragging it down.

From post #8: - "battery reading 12 volts, turn on headlights and rear demister, drops to 11 volts, I am not starting it yet"i.e engine not running.

"I had it running, volt meter at 13.5 with headlights and rear demister on."

From post #6: - "the charger and meter showed charged and 12.5 volts, when engine running it goes up to 13.5 volts with rear demister and headlights on thus showing it is charging".


Have just started it but it was sluggish, not like a fully charged battery although was on charge all night and the charger suggests full. Looks like I will have to buy a new battery.


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