1996 TOYOTA COROLLA check engine light

Part 4
If your vehicle will not startÐ
(a) Simple checks
125
IN CASE OF
AN EMERGENCY

If your vehicle will not start

If your engine stalls while
driving

If your vehicle overheats

If you have a flat tire

If your vehicle needs to be
towed

If you cannot shift automatic
transmission selector lever

If you lose your keys
Before making these checks, make sure
you have followed the correct starting pro-
cedure given in How to start the engineº
in Part 3 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is
turning over too slowlyÐ
1. Check that the battery terminals are
tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch
on the interior light.
3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when
the starter is cranked, the battery is dis-
charged. You may try jump starting. See
(c) Jump startingº for further instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will
not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Toyota dealer or qualified repair
shop.
NOTICE
Do not pull- or push-start the
vehicle. It may damage the vehicle
or cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the three-way catalytic
converter may overheat and
become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal
speed but will not startÐ
1. Check that all the push-on connectors
are tight. (For example, connections at
the spark plugs, ignition coil and/or distrib-
utor)
2. If the connectors are O.K., the engine
may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See (b) Starting a flooded en-
gineº for further instructions.
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127

The gas normally produced by a
battery will explode if a flame or
spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and
do not smoke or light a match
while jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must
be 12 V. Do not jump start unless
you are sure that the booster battery
is correct.
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in
another vehicle, make sure the vehicles
are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.
2. If required, remove all the vent plugs
from the booster and discharged batter-
ies. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the
batteries. (This helps reduce the explo-
sion hazard, personal injuries and burns.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the
booster battery is not running, start it and
let it run for a few minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm
with the accelerator pedal lightly de-
pressed.4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact
order shown in the illustration: positive
terminal (+º mark)-to-positive terminal
(+ºmark), and negative terminal (-º
mark)-to-engine or body ground. Note
that you first connect the positive cable to
the discharged battery and then to the
booster battery. Next, connect the nega-
tive cable to the booster battery and then
to a solid, stationary, unpainted, metallic
point (e.g. engine hanging hook) away
from the battery. Do not connect it to or
near any part that moves when the engine
is cranked.NOTICE
When making the connections, do
not lean over the battery or
accidentally let the jumper cables or
clamps touch anything except the
correct battery terminals or the
ground.
5. Start your engine in the normal way.
After starting, run it at about 2000 rpm for
several minutes with the accelerator ped-
al lightly depressed.
6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the
exact reverse order: the negative cable
and then the positive cable.7. Carefully dispose of the battery cover
clothsÐthey may now contain sulfuric
acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent
plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is
not apparent (for example, lights left on),
you should have it checked.
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144You can be confident that your Toyota
dealer's service department performs the
best job to meet the maintenance require-
ments on your vehicleÐreliably and eco-
nomically.
Your copy of the repair order is proof that
all required maintenance has been per-
formed for warranty coverage. And if any
problems should arise with your vehicle
while under warranty, your Toyota dealer
will promptly take care of it. Again, be sure
to keep a copy of the repair order for any
service performed on your Toyota.
What about do- it- yourself mainte-
nance?
Many of the maintenance items are easy
to do yourself if you have a little mechani-
cal ability and a few basic automotive
tools. Simple instructions for how to per-
form them are presented in Part 7.
If you are a skilled do-it-yourself me-
chanic, the Toyota service manuals are
recommended. Please be aware that do-
it-yourself maintenance can affect your
warranty coverage. See Owner's Guide,
Owner 's Manual Supplement or Warranty
Booklet for the details.Listed below are the general maintenance
items that should be performed as fre-
quently as specified. In addition to check-
ing the items listed, if you notice any un-
usual noise, smell or vibration, you should
investigate the cause or take your vehicle
to your Toyota dealer or a qualified service
shop immediately. It is recommended
that any problem you notice be brought to
the attention of your dealer or the qualified
service shop for their advice.
Make these checks only where
adequate ventilation can be obtained
if you run the engine.CAUTION
!
OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be per-
formed from time to time, unless
otherwise specified.
Tire pressure
Check the pressure with a gauge every
two weeks, or at least once a month. See
Chapter 7-2 for additional information.
Tire surface and wheel nuts
Check the tires carefully for cuts, damage
or excessive wear. See Chapter 7-2 for
additional information. When checking
the tires, make sure no nuts are missing,
and check the nuts for looseness. Tighten
them if necessary.Tire rotation
Rotate the tires every 12000 km (7500
miles). See Chapter 7-2 for additional in-
formation.
Fluid leaks
Check underneath for leaking fuel, oil, wa-
ter or other fluid after the vehicle has been
parked for a while. If you smell fuel fumes
or notice any leak, have the cause found
and corrected immediately.
Doors and engine hood
Check that all doors including trunk lid or
back door operate smoothly and all
latches lock securely. Make sure the en-
gine hood secondary latch secures the
hood from opening when the primary latch
is released.
INSIDE THE VEHICLE
Items listed below should be checked
regularly, e.g. while performing peri-
odic services, cleaning the vehicle,
etc.
Lights
Make sure the headlights, stop lights, tail
lights, turn signal lights, and other lights
are all working. Check headlight aim.
Service reminder indicators and warn-
ing buzzers
Check that all service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers function properly.
General maintenance
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Part 7Checking the engine oil level
155
DO-IT-YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7-2
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level
Checking the engine coolant
level
Checking brake fluid
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure
Checking and replacing tires
Rotating tires
Installing snow tires and chains
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions
With the engine at operating tempera-
ture and turned off, check the oil level
on the dipstick.
1. To get a true reading, the vehicle
should be on a level spot. After turning off
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil
to drain back into the bottom of the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean
with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstick'push it in as far
as it will go, or the reading will not be cor-
rect.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil
level on the end.If the oil level is below or only slightly
above the low level line, add engine oil
of the same type as already in the en-
gine.
Remove the oil filter cap and add engine
oil in small quantities at a time, checking
the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil needed to
fill between the low level line and the full
level line on the dipstick is indicated below
for reference.
When the level reaches within the correct
range, install the filler cap hand-tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
4A-FE engine 1.0 (1.1, 0.9)
7A-FE engine 1.2 (1.3, 1.1)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dipstick
once again after adding the oil.
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157 Look at the see-through coolant res-
ervoir when the engine is cold. The
coolant level is satisfactory if it is be-
tween the FULLº and LOWº lines on
the reservoir. If the level is low, add
ethylene-glycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary
with engine temperature. However, if the
level is on or below the LOWº line, add
coolant. Bring the level up to the FULLº
line.
Use only ethylene-glycol type coolant.
See information in the next column.
If the coolant level drops within a short
time after replenishing, there may be a
leak in the system. Visually check the ra-
diator, hoses, radiator cap and drain cock
and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Toyota
dealer test the cap pressure and check for
leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION!
To prevent burning yourself, do not
remove the radiator cap when the en-
gine is hot.Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-gly-
col antifreeze. In addition to preventing
freezing and subsequent damage to the
engine, this will also prevent corrosion.
Further supplemental inhibitors or addi-
tives are neither needed nor recom-
mended.
Read the antifreeze container for informa-
tion on freeze protection. Follow the
manufacturer 's directions for how much
to mix with water. The total capacity of the
cooling system is given in Part 8. We rec-
ommend 50% solution be used for your
Toyota, or a sufficient quantity to provide
protection to about -35C (-31F).
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze
or plain water alone.
NOTICE
To check the fluid level, simply look at
the see-through reservoir. The level
should be between the MAXº and
MINº lines on the reservoir.
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go
down slightly as the brake pads wear. So
be sure to keep the reservoir filled.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it
may indicate a serious mechanical prob-
lem.
Checking brake fluid Checking the engine coolant
level
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183 Oil grade:
API SH, Energy-Conserving IIº multi-
grade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade
engine oil is recommended.
Recommended oil viscosity (SAE):
COOLING SYSTEM
Total capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
4A-FE engine
NIPPONDENSO RADIATOR
Manual transmission 5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
Automatic transmission 5.9 (6.2, 5.2)
HARRISON RADIATOR
Manual transmission 6.0 (6.3, 5.3)
Automatic transmission 5.9 (6.2, 5.2)
7A-FE engine
NIPPONDENSO RADIATOR
Manual transmission 5.5 (5.8, 4.8)
Automatic transmission 6.2 (6.6, 5.5)
HARRISON RADIATOR
Manual transmission 6.2 (6.6, 5.5)
Automatic transmission 6.1 (6.4, 5.4)Coolant type:
With ethylene-glycol antifreeze (Do not
use alcohol type.)
BATTERY
ÐMaintenance type battery
Specific gravity reading at 205C (685F):
1.260 Fully charged
1.160 Half charged
1.060 Discharged
ÐNon-maintenance battery
Open voltage* at 205C (685F):
12.7 V Fully charged
12.3 V Half charged
11.9 V Discharged
*: Voltage that is checked 20 minutes after
the key is removed with all the lights turned
off
Charging rates:
Non-maintenance battery
5 A max
Maintenance type battery
Quick charge 15 A max
Slow charge 5 A max
CLUTCH
Pedal freeplay, mm (in.):
5'15 (0.2'0.6)
Fluid type:
SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT 3MANUAL TRANSAXLE
Oil capacity, L (qt., Imp. qt.):
1.9 (2.0, 1.7)
Oil type:
Multipurpose gear oil API GL-4 or GL-5
Recommended oil viscosity:
SAE 75W-90
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE
(4-speed type)
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
Up to 3.1 (3.3, 2.7)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid DII or
DEXRON[III (DEXRON[II)
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSON
(3-speed type)
Fluid capacity (drain and refill), L (qt., Imp.
qt.):
Up to 2.5 (2.6, 2.2)
Fluid type:
Automatic transmission fluid D II or
DEXRON
[III (DEXRON[II)
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