Help! no idea whats wrong

SidewaySupra · 07-21-2009, 10:12 PM

Hey guys, I bought a clean 89 supra a month ago its na and its got 71000 miles on it. Heres the problem:
A couple times my car hasnt started right away I thought the clutch wasnt in all the way cuz id turn it a couple times and it would start. When it doesnt start it doesnt even turn over. Last night I drove to work about 30 minutes in 85-90 degree weather and the car drove fine. A few hours later i unlocked it and opened the door the alarm went off and it wouldnt start. I assumed it was because of the alarm but i reset the alarm and everything and nothing worked. after 20 minutes I gave up trying to start it regularly and flintstoned it. (had people push the car and pop the clutch) that worked and it drove fine. As I was driving though there was a high pitched whining noise that got louder as the revs got higher. There was a funny smell its hard to describe but no smoke. Could this all be a problem with the alternator? I read somewhere that the problem starting is an old trigger wire that isnt as conductive as it used to be because its old and hot. but that doesnt explain the sound and smell.
Has anyone else had this problem? I need help please

GettaRobo · 07-21-2009, 10:27 PM

I have had a similar problem with the car not starting with my 88. Basically, I ended up removing the car alarm computer and grounding the blue wire with an orange stripe. A temporary fix would be to remove the radio fuse under the hood of the car (the second row of fuses in the middle, it's either 20 or 30 amp.) As for the noise and smell, I have no idea

Conga1991 · 07-22-2009, 02:03 AM

i had the same problem with the car not starting, pushing it was the only way for my 88 supra to drive. make sure both doors are unlocked, that should work. i had one door locked and the other unlocked and it wouldnt start. try it and if it works then YAy!! lol

mk3 · 07-23-2009, 08:39 PM

If your alarm goes off and your car doesn't start its because the supra has a killswitch to deactivate it you would have to close your door lock it and then unlock it with your key and it should turn on again

i had this problem like 2 times

Bill UK · 07-24-2009, 07:12 PM

“High pitched whining noise, There was a funny smell, wouldn’t start ”. Sounds like the alternator belt slipping, also check the battery for DI water, just in case it’s fried.

cheshire1369 · 07-25-2009, 09:18 AM

ok all that is good for a temp fix, but however after having one with 188,000 miles, and two clutch plates, there is a good place to start for a more perm, alt. if the car does not register that the clutch is ALL the way in, it just assumes it's not in. clutch plates wear, the more they wear, the less "pedal" you have when you push in the clutch. my last one had less than half an inch, which is GREAT for speed shifting, but plays havoc on the internal alarm system. bty it had 75,000 whaen i got it, i had it three years, and only replaced the clutch plate and one rotor, keep the oil, filters, and plugs changed and you cant kill 'em!

(side note...don't tell the cops, drove from denver to atlanta at 120mph just stopping for gas...LOVED IT !)

07-21-2009, 10:12 PM	#1
SidewaySupra Stock Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1	Help! no idea whats wrong Hey guys, I bought a clean 89 supra a month ago its na and its got 71000 miles on it. Heres the problem: A couple times my car hasnt started right away I thought the clutch wasnt in all the way cuz id turn it a couple times and it would start. When it doesnt start it doesnt even turn over. Last night I drove to work about 30 minutes in 85-90 degree weather and the car drove fine. A few hours later i unlocked it and opened the door the alarm went off and it wouldnt start. I assumed it was because of the alarm but i reset the alarm and everything and nothing worked. after 20 minutes I gave up trying to start it regularly and flintstoned it. (had people push the car and pop the clutch) that worked and it drove fine. As I was driving though there was a high pitched whining noise that got louder as the revs got higher. There was a funny smell its hard to describe but no smoke. Could this all be a problem with the alternator? I read somewhere that the problem starting is an old trigger wire that isnt as conductive as it used to be because its old and hot. but that doesnt explain the sound and smell. Has anyone else had this problem? I need help please

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07-21-2009, 10:27 PM	#2
GettaRobo 3" Exhaust Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Saskatoon, SK Posts: 65	I have had a similar problem with the car not starting with my 88. Basically, I ended up removing the car alarm computer and grounding the blue wire with an orange stripe. A temporary fix would be to remove the radio fuse under the hood of the car (the second row of fuses in the middle, it's either 20 or 30 amp.) As for the noise and smell, I have no idea

07-22-2009, 02:03 AM	#3
Conga1991 3" Exhaust Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Avondale, AZ Posts: 169	i had the same problem with the car not starting, pushing it was the only way for my 88 supra to drive. make sure both doors are unlocked, that should work. i had one door locked and the other unlocked and it wouldnt start. try it and if it works then YAy!! lol

07-23-2009, 08:39 PM	#4
mk3 Stock Join Date: May 2009 Location: Ca Posts: 1	If your alarm goes off and your car doesn't start its because the supra has a killswitch to deactivate it you would have to close your door lock it and then unlock it with your key and it should turn on again i had this problem like 2 times

07-24-2009, 07:12 PM	#5
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	“High pitched whining noise, There was a funny smell, wouldn’t start ”. Sounds like the alternator belt slipping, also check the battery for DI water, just in case it’s fried.

07-25-2009, 09:18 AM	#6
cheshire1369 Stock Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: hampton, ga Posts: 3	ok all that is good for a temp fix, but however after having one with 188,000 miles, and two clutch plates, there is a good place to start for a more perm, alt. if the car does not register that the clutch is ALL the way in, it just assumes it's not in. clutch plates wear, the more they wear, the less "pedal" you have when you push in the clutch. my last one had less than half an inch, which is GREAT for speed shifting, but plays havoc on the internal alarm system. bty it had 75,000 whaen i got it, i had it three years, and only replaced the clutch plate and one rotor, keep the oil, filters, and plugs changed and you cant kill 'em! (side note...don't tell the cops, drove from denver to atlanta at 120mph just stopping for gas...LOVED IT !)