(race) car won't start

dunewarz · 05-20-2009, 10:08 PM

No spark you say? If you got the problem during a replacement of a starter I'd first check all the fuses and relays. You might want to check your ignitor and coils as well. If non-turbo you need to check the distributor, rotor, and coil.

carl johansson · 05-21-2009, 11:58 PM

Hey Paul,
heres a link to the jalopnik coverage. 6 or 8 photos in the rising sun gallery - car 86 - Detroit bailout

http://jalopnik.com/5179666/the-24-h...y-the-japanese

ar15reeder · 05-23-2009, 03:48 AM

hi i hear you have some probs with starting your car im a toyota tech so i will try to help. from what you are sayin about when you connected the battery and the lights are coming on im gessing with the switch is off, i would have to say when who ever replaced the starter possable pinched some wires and grounding some wires. look over all the wiring harrnesses by the intake and the starter making sure none are pinched. go to this web sie this has wiring info that will be veary helpful http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...3/default.aspx

let me know what you find!

pdudley42 · 05-25-2009, 10:56 PM

Thanks ar15reeder (and everybody else).
Figured it out today. Car's running strong (just one more vacuum leak to fix). Ever wonder why there are no monuments for committees??? It turns out that two ring terminals of wires we attached to the starter hot wire were in fact supposed to be grounds to the bottom of the intake manifold. We tested those leads over a week ago and I determined that they were indeed supposed to be positive. However, at the time there was no battery in the car and it IS possible that master jump-pack hooked up the cables backwards at that time, sending us hurtling in the wrong direction.
I plugged in the new computer yesterday and it was of course just the same. After that I was convinced that it had to be something REALLY stupid. At least I was right about something.
Now that our race car's running, we can focus on the rest of the stuff we need. I'm glad I found your forum, cause I need more advice. Our Supra has the electronic shocks and they're SHOT. Our car must remain cheap as per the specs of the Lemons race, so can anybody recommend some good non-adjustable shocks (can we jsut swap in non-electronic ones). Same goes for brake pads, except that they count as safety equipment, so they don't count toward our $500 limit. I like Hawk pads, are these available (Blues or Blacks) and are they a good choice for the Supra? Also do these motors tend to overheat when pushed hard, aka will a stock radiator suffice (Connecticut in August)?
I spent all weekend ripping on my Miata at a track in upstate New York, but today when the car started was the most gratifying moment in a long time.
Thanks, Paul

05-23-2009, 03:48 AM	#3
ar15reeder Stock Join Date: May 2009 Location: cincinnati Posts: 2	race car problems hi i hear you have some probs with starting your car im a toyota tech so i will try to help. from what you are sayin about when you connected the battery and the lights are coming on im gessing with the switch is off, i would have to say when who ever replaced the starter possable pinched some wires and grounding some wires. look over all the wiring harrnesses by the intake and the starter making sure none are pinched. go to this web sie this has wiring info that will be veary helpful http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...3/default.aspx let me know what you find!

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05-20-2009, 10:08 PM	#1
dunewarz 3" Exhaust Join Date: May 2009 Location: WhiteBear Posts: 54	No spark you say? If you got the problem during a replacement of a starter I'd first check all the fuses and relays. You might want to check your ignitor and coils as well. If non-turbo you need to check the distributor, rotor, and coil.

05-21-2009, 11:58 PM	#2
carl johansson 3" Exhaust Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Auberry, California Posts: 141	Hey Paul, heres a link to the jalopnik coverage. 6 or 8 photos in the rising sun gallery - car 86 - Detroit bailout http://jalopnik.com/5179666/the-24-h...y-the-japanese

05-25-2009, 10:56 PM	#4
pdudley42 Stock Join Date: May 2009 Location: Waitsfield, Vt Posts: 8	Thanks ar15reeder (and everybody else). Figured it out today. Car's running strong (just one more vacuum leak to fix). Ever wonder why there are no monuments for committees??? It turns out that two ring terminals of wires we attached to the starter hot wire were in fact supposed to be grounds to the bottom of the intake manifold. We tested those leads over a week ago and I determined that they were indeed supposed to be positive. However, at the time there was no battery in the car and it IS possible that master jump-pack hooked up the cables backwards at that time, sending us hurtling in the wrong direction. I plugged in the new computer yesterday and it was of course just the same. After that I was convinced that it had to be something REALLY stupid. At least I was right about something. Now that our race car's running, we can focus on the rest of the stuff we need. I'm glad I found your forum, cause I need more advice. Our Supra has the electronic shocks and they're SHOT. Our car must remain cheap as per the specs of the Lemons race, so can anybody recommend some good non-adjustable shocks (can we jsut swap in non-electronic ones). Same goes for brake pads, except that they count as safety equipment, so they don't count toward our $500 limit. I like Hawk pads, are these available (Blues or Blacks) and are they a good choice for the Supra? Also do these motors tend to overheat when pushed hard, aka will a stock radiator suffice (Connecticut in August)? I spent all weekend ripping on my Miata at a track in upstate New York, but today when the car started was the most gratifying moment in a long time. Thanks, Paul