99 Corolla Alternator died

[Markbdr90]

The car died while we were driving. We suspect Alternator.

We got a new alternator and had that and the old one tested. The new one showed "Good" and the other one couldn't get a good read (so bad?)

After installing, the car still won't start. It would turn over and die. Sometimes, it will turn over, start, then die.

What's the deal? I even tried jumping it with the other car and it is still not working.

What else could be wrong? Sometimes I can smell gasoline though..

Can anyone walk me through steps to diagnose? I used a bluetooth OBD to check for codes stored in the ECU but there isn't any.

 

[JohnnieXSE]

Get your electrical system checked. You may have bad battery, plugs, or starter. Smell of gas is normal since your engine is not starting and the internal combustion is not happening with the gas/air mixture in the piston

 

[Muhammad Ali Khan]

Start with you plungs/wires/coils. If I am not wrong this car comes with single coil and a distributor. check if there is current coming to the wires. Most probably you lost the connection of the coil or may be the coil burned out.

 

[Markbdr90]

Start with you plungs/wires/coils. If I am not wrong this car comes with single coil and a distributor. check if there is current coming to the wires. Most probably you lost the connection of the coil or may be the coil burned out.

I just found that out tonight. It didn't look like there was an electrical arc in the spark plugs. I don't have the light tester, but I removed the coil and installed a plug on it. That should be a good way to test, right? I saw no visible spark

 

[Muhammad Ali Khan]

Yes, also the coil current you can directly check by putting the wire end on any on the engine earth part and check if it sparks while cranking. If no spark then you need to replace your coil.

 

[Markbdr90]

Yes, also the coil current you can directly check by putting the wire end on any on the engine earth part and check if it sparks while cranking. If no spark then you need to replace your coil.

I bought a light tester and it's showing me there's spark in all cylinders. I also checked the fuel pump and it works but for some reason car still won't start.... it just cranks and I'm all out of ideas

 

[Muhammad Ali Khan]

well then your fuel injectors might be blocked. this is in very rare case but there is a possibility. Also how much miles on your engine, if it is too much then you might not getting enough compression.

one more thing: have you removed the plugs and inspected their condition? sometimes they are burned and even there is a current they dont create enough spark to ignite the mixture.

 

[Markbdr90]

Well I checked the injectors and there was gummed up oil next to them so I'll clean them next. As far as the spark plugs go, I checked them and even though they were a little burned, they produced a nice bluish-white spark

 

[Markbdr90]

well then your fuel injectors might be blocked. this is in very rare case but there is a possibility. Also how much miles on your engine, if it is too much then you might not getting enough compression.

one more thing: have you removed the plugs and inspected their condition? sometimes they are burned and even there is a current they dont create enough spark to ignite the mixture.

Well I checked the injectors and there was gummed up oil next to them so I'll clean them next. As far as the spark plugs go, I checked them and even though they were a little burned, they produced a nice bluish-white spark

 

[Muhammad Ali Khan]

Yes, clean them and reinstall and check if still your car is not starting, you should perform the compression test to all the 4 cylinders.

 

[Markbdr90]

Yes, clean them and reinstall and check if still your car is not starting, you should perform the compression test to all the 4 cylinders.

You were absolutely right, it was the fuel injectors. I got new ones from a junkyard instead of cleaning out my old ones. Thanks so much for your help!

 

[Muhammad Ali Khan]

Great that your car finally starts.