what proper steps to take..
 

First off im far from a mechanic, im a yacht body repair man. i picked up this supra over the winter and started doing the major body repairs..i just installed the new battery, she starts right up..i have the "birdcage light on" the guy i bought the car from has one of those aftermarket dual fans installed..but theres 2 wires missing out of its control box. and ideas where they go? the idle is a little wierd it holds steady for a while then drops a bit (then the check engine light comes on) i give it a little gas and it goes away..

ok so the point of this was when i bring it to the mechanic..what are the first things i should check on a car that has been sitting for 3 years???
i dont want to get taken advantage of due to my lack of mech knowledge.


enclosed is a pic of what looks to be a place where something is missing or broken, any idea on the name of this piece..?



thanks for your help. sorry for any spelling and or gramma errors.. go easy on me :P

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Media/Supra/.../vacuum_2h.gif
23262 bvsv

first thing is to really go over it with a fine tooth comb. Who knows what sort of Frankenstein job the previous owner did on it.

yeah its a mess.....this guy has all sorts of things missing and/or modified. (good things its a project). thanks for reply :)

post with whatever questions you have. It's what the forum is here for.
http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Library/TSRM/MK3/
that link is your new best friend.
Also check out SuperMania forum. lots of experienced folks on there.

Well, from what I can understand, you have some hacks going on with this car. The 'Birdcage' light is the low coolant light. The sensor is in the coolant reservoir in front of the radiator on the driver's side. If this reservoir is not there or moved and not standard, that's your issue.

That sensor in the picture looks like a GM-style coolant temp switch used to trigger the fan relays on mid-'86 GM FWD cars. I had an '88 Buick Lesabre many moons ago with the 3.8L V6. That switch went bad and the fans never turned on, leading to overheats in traffic. I'll bet the previous owner put it there to try to do the same thing with his electric cooling fans.