1986 Toyota Van- died tonight- need help!

brokenquill · #1 07-22-2004, 01:59 AM

I was driving home tonight when the engine started to cut out on me, as the engine light simultaneously came on. It coasted a bit, while I tried giving it gas to keep it going. I stopped at a stop sign and as I was coasting through the intersection (on a back road with no street lights), the lights went out and the engine died on me. I coasted it down the road as far as i could and ended up pushing it the rest of the mile home. Two college girls pushing a van down a dark back road is not a pretty sight!

I've had radiator work over the last month and recently, I started having trouble starting it. The key turns, but nothing happens except for a clicking sound. I check the battery wires, it'd struggle to start, and eventually would start. It started no problem, I drove approximately five miles before it finally died on me. I checked the wires to the battery again and they seem fine. I have limited knowledge of cars, so I have no idea what to do with it.

If someone could help, I would really appreciate it. I don't have the money to overpay at a garage and worry they'll use rebuilt parts, so that I deal with it again.

Thanks.

Brian R. · #2 07-22-2004, 11:26 PM

What engine is in the van?

brokenquill · #3 07-23-2004, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian R.

What engine is in the van?

I'm really not sure, but I believe it could be the alternator. When I first open the door, the open door light (the rear door doesn't shut all the way) comes on and when I try to start it, all of the lights flash on for a second on the dashboard but go black immediately.

Brian R. · #4 07-23-2004, 10:30 AM

Could very well be the alternator, but it is most likely the battery. Hard to tell.

As a fast route, bring it to Sears and let them diagnose the problem. They will probably sell you a battery and send you on your way. Batteries die 100x more often than alternators.

brokenquill · #5 07-23-2004, 04:59 PM

As it is the last time I checked it, it doesn't start at all. I turn the key and nothing happens. My mechanic told me a few days ago before it happened that the battery was fine, though. I'm ready to push the thing off of the nearest bridge!

Brian R. · #6 07-23-2004, 10:22 PM

Batteries can die in a day. Get your charging system and battery tested. Dollars to dohnuts, it's the battery. Think about it... How old is your battery? If it is over 3 years old, anything is possible. Don't get pissed off. Batteries are cheap.

kcg795 · #7 07-27-2004, 12:13 AM

Hey there, Brokenquill. I own a 1984 Toyota Van and I just got a back together last month after replacing the headgasket. The 84s and 85s run the 2.0 Liter 3Y-EC engine. Years 86-89 run the 2.2 Liter 4Y-EC engine which Toyota still uses is Forklifts today. Nice, eh? Anyway. I'll be glad to help you with your problems. There is a sensor around the radiator cap that, if gets unplugged, will cause the "Check Engine" light to turn on and will kill the engine. This is the sensor that, kinda, points towards the valve cover. You might wanna check that out. Hope this helps.

There are also Toyota Van fan sites you can visit.

www.toyotavanpeople.com

www.yotavans.org

kcg795 · #8 07-28-2004, 10:13 PM

I uploaded 3 pages from the manual of how to pull the code off the Van's computer. It's very easy to do. You short these wires that are near the air filter box and watch how many times in a row the "Check Engine" light will blink. Then you look that code up on the 3rd page I uploaded and it should tell you what's wrong. Hell, it came in handy today. Check engine light flashed. I got home, shorted the wire and it's telling me my O2 Sensor is bad.

I hope this gives you a better idea of what's wrong with your van. Good luck.

Brian R. · #9 07-30-2004, 09:30 AM

Her problem is that her engine won't turn over because of a low battery or bad connection. Her "Check Engine" light came on because her engine died. She has either a bad battery, bad alternator, or bad connection. Battery is most likely the problem.

thecrosbyguy · #10 04-03-2009, 12:31 PM

1986 toyota van died, okay... first thing is to get the battery charged, almost everyone has a battery charger or jumper cables. Once it's charged, try to start the engine. If it starts, then disconnect the battery and see if the engine will run on the alternater alone, if it dies then you need an alternator, period! If the battery is bad, it will not "hold a charge" and will soon die from trying to start the engine. If you can start the engine 5 times in a row with your lights on high beem, windshiled wipers on, radio, A/C, or Heater fan on high and foot on the brake, it's not the battery, period! At least not yet.
1986 vans come with different features, but you probably have a 2.2 engine, this is mentioned on the vehicle stickers, if they still exist, or the original owners manuel, if it is around, and might be on your registration, and you'll need to know this if the alternator needs to be replaced since car alternators will not fit the van unless you modify the terminal post on the alternator, which I have done both, for my van from time to time since alternators are expensive these days unless you go to a junkyard, which is fine, but your going to get dirty. NEXT, very important, rebuilt parts are as good as new, what you don't know about this is all alternators, starters and some other parts on all these older vehicles are always rebuilt, there are and is no "new" parts to be bought from any source. Do not be afraid, it will outlast your van. I am a former hot rod mechanic, aircraft mechanic, and own a 1986 Van for my acoustic rock band, so it has to run.

Take it from me, and save you money.... thecrosbyguy at ya-h-oo

somick · #11 04-03-2009, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thecrosbyguy

1986 toyota van died, okay... first thing is to get the battery charged, almost everyone has a battery charger or jumper cables. Once it's charged, try to start the engine. If it starts, then disconnect the battery and see if the engine will run on the alternater alone, if it dies then you need an alternator, period! If the battery is bad, it will not "hold a charge" and will soon die from trying to start the engine. If you can start the engine 5 times in a row with your lights on high beem, windshiled wipers on, radio, A/C, or Heater fan on high and foot on the brake, it's not the battery, period! At least not yet.
1986 vans come with different features, but you probably have a 2.2 engine, this is mentioned on the vehicle stickers, if they still exist, or the original owners manuel, if it is around, and might be on your registration, and you'll need to know this if the alternator needs to be replaced since car alternators will not fit the van unless you modify the terminal post on the alternator, which I have done both, for my van from time to time since alternators are expensive these days unless you go to a junkyard, which is fine, but your going to get dirty. NEXT, very important, rebuilt parts are as good as new, what you don't know about this is all alternators, starters and some other parts on all these older vehicles are always rebuilt, there are and is no "new" parts to be bought from any source. Do not be afraid, it will outlast your van. I am a former hot rod mechanic, aircraft mechanic, and own a 1986 Van for my acoustic rock band, so it has to run.

Take it from me, and save you money.... thecrosbyguy at ya-h-oo

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