What in the hell have I gotten myself into?

[ForcedTorque]

I think I was told that you should disconnect the battery, then reconnect. Then lock the driver's door with the key, and then unlock it to reset the alarm. This could be totally wrong.

Also, is that a loose ground wire at the negative post of your battery? I do have a stud for you (the wife took pictures just the other day lol). I have a couple of bad afm's around here, so no problem.

 

[gtsfirefighter]

That wire was never connected to anything before the swap and the car ran.

I'll try that tomorrow with the alarm before I start tearing shit up.

 

[Poodles]

lol, I'm on a bit earlier...

Ok, looks like you got the fender piece in close enough, the bracket he's sending you will make it exactly where it needs to be.

Yes, that small cover will either have to be cut or get one off a turbo model, it doesn't like to fit correctly with aftermarket piping either (cooleeze).

To reset the alarm, close the door, lock it with the key, and see if the Security light comes on, if it does you're armed. Unlock with the key and it should go out, then you're set.

If it still doesn't start, it could be any number of things, let us know...

 

[gtsfirefighter]

I locked the door with the key and looked to see if the light would come on and it never did. Dunno. I never saw the security light come on even before the swap either. Cluster, dash harness, and main body harness all swapped.

 

[gtsfirefighter]

Today something wierd happened. I had just put the glove box back together and also put the center console back where it belongs. I had already tried to get the car to crank several times earlier with just the same ole click. The neighbor boy comes over and we're talking and I go to show him what happens when you try to crank it and I'll be damned if it didn't start cranking. At first it scared me and I backed off the key then I bumped it again and it cranked. A couple of times it tried to fire making me remember I didn't pull the EFI fuse. So I let off the key and tried again after pulling the fuse and nothing but just click. I had my neighbor hit the key while I stood over the engine and I can hear the starter click. I have not been able to make it crank since. I don't know WTF is going on with it. I wonder if the transmission linkage might have something to do with it. I'm grasping at straws. All I know is I do not want to have to take that starter off. It's the same one that was on it before and it worked fine.

Anyway, I've already called it a day I'm so disgusted. Have to go get the kids from school here soon and then we are all going down to Granbury to gawk at my friends new baby that was born last night.

If I can't get this figured out soon, I might throw it on a trailer and take it to Dallas and let Christian figure it out.:rant:

 

[kotu100]

try hitting the starter w/ a wrench or hammer while trying to start it. had this problem w/ my old bronco and my girls old subaru.
if it cranks then its the starter.

 

[cruisnhard]

Also if your unbolt the brake master cyl, it is way easier to get the starter in and out.

 

[88mkIIIproject]

try hitting the starter w/ a wrench or hammer while trying to start it. had this problem w/ my old bronco and my girls old subaru.
if it cranks then its the starter.

+1, thats what I always do to test a starter. If you can hear the starter clicking, it will most likely start after a few whacks..but that means your starter needs to be R&R'd, which sucks. GL with it.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Also if your unbolt the brake master cyl, it is way easier to get the starter in and out.

I noticed this as I pulled the brake booster in my totaled grey car, and wondered if anybody else had tried that. It did look like it would make things a good bit easier.

Another tip is to get a known good stater from a 91 or 92. Those are threaded, which takes away the need for that 3rd hand. I hate trying to hold a starter up push a bolt through and hold it, and screwing on a nut all in a place where space is very limited. With a threaded starter, you can get the starter into place, and screw in the first bolt. This will help hold the starter in place while you use a long extension to get to the top bolt.

You can also pull your starter wire, and test to see if you have a signal getting to the starter. It is long enough that you can do this standing at the fender.

BTW Ken.....I got your bracket and gasket shipped today. Honestly, once I got the parts to work, and then wondered if there was a difference between the turbo and N/A gaskets. Hopfully it will work for you.

 

[gtsfirefighter]

I don't see why my starter would go bad in between engines. It was fine before. Tomorrow I'll whack on it (giggity) with a crow bar and see if that helps. Also I will jumper the hood latch alarm sensor. I may also revisit my shift lever and adjust it just in case.
I seriously dread removing my starter. I'd almost rather pull the engine again. It wasn't easy putting the dang thing on with the motor outside the car. That rear knock sensor was in the way and I damn near broke it. I can't imagine having to do it blind.

Edit for Scott-

Thanks I'll be looking for them in the mail. there is a huge difference in the na and turbo gaskets. I already tried the one from my na. I'll just order a new one if that doesn't work.

 

[ForcedTorque]

I'm not sure which one that was that I sent. I know I have one from a turbo car, but it was the only one I found when I looked. I'm not sure which one it is.

 

[gtsfirefighter]

I'm not sure which one that was that I sent. I know I have one from a turbo car, but it was the only one I found when I looked. I'm not sure which one it is.

No problem. It's not like the car will be going anywhere, under its own power anyway.:cry:

 

[LilMissMkIII]

Be positive Mister!!!!!!!!

It's come so far, so it won't be long now!

 

[Bluechulappa]

No problem. It's not like the car will be going anywhere, under its own power anyway.:cry:

So what are you still stuck on? the starter? have you already wired up the harness? I'm guessing you did

 

[7thousandpiecesMGTE]

my first supra was an 86 NA beater i bought for 1000 bucks from a small dealer / mechanic (even though it was an NA I fell in love with the car, and went on to buy a turbo model to replace it).

After a few days i seemingly had random problems starting the car, hearing nothing but the click from the starter, so i took it back to the guy and he said no problem he'll throw another starter on it.....three starters later it kept doing the same thing and the guy offered to give my money back, but I decided to keep the car.

In the meantime I kept a long piece of thick wire that I hot wired directly to the batt and starter with key in/turned on. Worked like a charm. Eventually I wired a push button in the cab to bypass all wiring, no one could steal the car becuase you needed the key in the ignition.. Not an ideal solution, but a solution to my problem at the time. I have heard of this from a few other supras but i do not think it is a wide spread problem, i suspect faulty wiring or ignition cylinder.... but do not know for sure (that is, of course, if the starter has not taken a crap....).

 

[gtsfirefighter]

So what are you still stuck on? the starter? have you already wired up the harness? I'm guessing you did

I'm having starter issues. Except for swapping the diff and having an open downpipe, the car is pretty all together. Read on...

my first supra was an 86 NA beater i bought for 1000 bucks from a small dealer / mechanic (even though it was an NA I fell in love with the car, and went on to buy a turbo model to replace it).

After a few days i seemingly had random problems starting the car, hearing nothing but the click from the starter, so i took it back to the guy and he said no problem he'll throw another starter on it.....three starters later it kept doing the same thing and the guy offered to give my money back, but I decided to keep the car.

In the meantime I kept a long piece of thick wire that I hot wired directly to the batt and starter with key in/turned on. Worked like a charm. Eventually I wired a push button in the cab to bypass all wiring, no one could steal the car becuase you needed the key in the ignition.. Not an ideal solution, but a solution to my problem at the time. I have heard of this from a few other supras but i do not think it is a wide spread problem, i suspect faulty wiring or ignition cylinder.... but do not know for sure (that is, of course, if the starter has not taken a crap....).

It's truly amazing that you posted that when you did. Today it cranked again only one time, so I called my mechanic who rebuilt the engine. Christian knows everything about these cars and he told me he was almost certain it was because of old wiring not letting enough amperage through. He pretty much suggested what you just posted above. It's not widespread but not uncommon either. He drives an 88 turbo and had to "fix" his as well. He wired in a relay or somthing. I'll try to do it myself but I can betcha I'll be taking it to him to fix because I'm a dumbass when it comes to stuff like that.

So in the meantime, I decided to put the interior back together and clean it up. I needed to see it together inside and clean so I'd fall in love with it again and not want to set it on fire. Took some pics too...

First let's go back in time a little
GE

GTE ::w00t::

Old leather seats

New leather seats

and some more interior..

So I like my car again. A big cold front is blowing through tonight and I have to fly to Denver tomorrow so it'll be a few days before I can attempt that wiring project.

 

[LilMissMkIII]

Reading this makes me happy!

:boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies: :boobies:

 

[7thousandpiecesMGTE]

I can also sympathize with waiting part of a rebuild....my car is nearly finished after more than three years of downtime..... im getting antsy.

BTW the interrior looks great! How much did it all run you and where did you get it all(looks new)? This will be something i need to do soon too.

 

[Kckazdude]

Those interior shots are drool worthy.
Keep your head up. You have come this far with it. I still think the starter issue is in the NS switch/shift linkage.

 

[7thousandpiecesMGTE]

Those interior shots are drool worthy.
Keep your head up. You have come this far with it. I still think the starter issue is in the NS switch/shift linkage.

this is a very good point. if the ns switch is out you wont start her....i remember replacing mine but it didnt help my car, however this could very well be your problem, its worth checking anyway.