94 tercel no start issue.

hi there. i am a first time poster here, but a long time diesel mechanic. my niece has a 94 tercel. she went shopping, and came out of the store to a dead car. i finally got the car home today and started troubleshooting it. i get power to the main lug on the starter, but nothing to the trigger wire for the solenoid with the key turned to start. i know nothing about these cars, and she does not have an owners manual or service manual for it. i am thinking it has a bad fuse or fusible link, but am at a loss to where i should even start looking. i did a search, but could only find crank but no start issues.

if anyone could possibly point me in the proper direction, i would greatly appreciate it.

thanks in advance,

Tom.

Reply to
Tom
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The contacts for the solenoid may be worn. Look for contacts at a dealer or local parts store, remove the starter and then the solenoid from the starter and replace the contacts.

Reply to
Ray O

Maybe the start relay (between the ignition switch and the solenoid, follow the blk/blu wire I think) or possibly the neutral or clutch safety start switch.

I think that the location of the start relay is in the junction block on the drivers side, but I'm not absolutely certain.

Reply to
user

The OP can always visit

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It is $10/day toaccess but any and everything you generally need can be found thereincluding TSB's, repair manuals, HOWTO's, etc.. Your $10/day is for a 24 hour period although I will say when I did it, my login was a good couple days but YMMV.

Reply to
mrsteveo

Check battery voltage - the ECM needs something like 11.something volts to work.

As Ph@Boy suggested, check the neutral start/clutch safety switch for continuity.

If there is an aftermarket remote starter or security system, check that stuff out.

Reply to
Ray O

The neutral safety switch is mounted on the transmission where the shift cable attaches to the lever on the transmission case. Here is the procedure to adjust it:

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If none of those links work, go to
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look up the repair guides for a 1994 Toyota Tercel, go the to the drivetrain link, then under automatic transaxle.

The instructions are not clear on how to check continuity on the switch, but with the transmission in park or neutral, unplug the connector and see if there is continuity between two of the terminals.

Reply to
Ray O

I have gotten a chance to look at the car this morning, and found the 15 amp AM-2 fuse is blown. as soon as i turn the key to the run position, it dead shorts this circuit. so i have gotten a little farther along, but am still dead in the water.

Reply to
Tom

Is there an aftermarket remote starter or alarm installed in the car? If so, check the wiring for that stuff.

Reply to
Ray O

Look under the dash for any poorly spliced wires or loose Scotch Lock connectors. I have seen a lot of problems caused by aftermarket alarm system installations.

Reply to
Ray O

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