1996 TOYOTA COROLLA spark plugs

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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151 If you perform maintenance by your-
self, be sure to follow the correct pro-
cedure given in this part.
You should be aware that improper or in-
complete servicing may result in operat-
ing problems.
Performing do-it-yourself maintenance
during the warranty period may affect
your warranty coverage. Read the sepa-
rate Toyota Warranty statement for details
and suggestions.
This part gives instructions only for those
items that are relatively easy for an owner
to perform. As explained in Part 6, there
are still a number of items that must be
done by a qualified technician with special
tools.
For information on tools and parts for do-
it-yourself maintenance, see Parts and
toolsº.
Utmost care should be taken when work-
ing on your vehicle to prevent accidental
injury. Here are a few precautions that you
should be especially careful to observe:

When the engine is running, keep
hands, clothing, and tools away
from the moving fan and engine
drive belts. (Removing rings,
watches, and ties is advisable.)CAUTION
!

Right after driving, the engine
compartmentÐthe engine, radia-
tor, exhaust manifold, power
steering fluid reservoir and spark
plug boots, etc.Ðwill be hot. So
be careful not to touch them. Oil,
fluids and spark plugs may also be
hot.

If the engine is hot, do not remove
the radiator cap or loosen the drain
plugs to prevent burning yourself.

Do not smoke, cause sparks or al-
low open flames around fuel or the
battery. Their fumes are flamable.

Be extremely cautious when work-
ing on the battery. It contains poi-
sonous and corrosive sulfuric
acid.

Do not get under your vehicle with
just the body jack supporting it. Al-
ways use automotive jack stands
or other solid supports.

Be sure that the ignition is off if you
work near the electric cooling fans
or radiator grille. With the ignition
on, the electric cooling fan may au-
tomatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on.
Use eye protection whenever you
work on or under your vehicle
where you may be exposed to fly-
ing or falling material, fluid spray,
etc.

Used engine oil contains poten-
tially harmful contaminants which
may cause skin disorders such as
inflammation or skin cancer, so
care should be taken to avoid pro-
longed and repeated contact with
it. To remove used engine oil from
your skin, wash thoroughly with
soap and water.

Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.

Dispose of used oil and filter only
in a safe and acceptable manner.
Do not dispose of used oil and filter
in household trash, in sewers or
onto the ground. Call your dealer
or a service station for information
concerning recycling or disposal.
Do-it-yourself service
precautions
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152
Remember that battery and igni-
tion cables carry high currents or
voltages. Be careful of accidentally
causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or dis-
tilled water to fill the radiator. And
if you spill some of the coolant, be
sure to wash it off with water to
prevent it from damaging the parts
or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anything else
to fall through the spark plug
holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode of a
spark plug against the center elec-
trode.
Use only spark plugs of the speci-
fied type. Using other types will
cause engine damage, loss of per-
formance or radio noise.
Do not overfill automatic trans-
mission fluid, or the transmission
could be damaged.
NOTICEDo not drive with the air cleaner fil-
ter removed, or excessive engine
wear could result. Also backfiring
could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.
Be careful not to scratch the glass
surface with the wiper frame.
When closing the engine hood,
check to see that you have not for-
gotten any tools, rags, etc.
Here is a list of parts and tools you will
need on performing do-it-yourself main-
tenance. Remember all Toyota parts are
designed in metric sizes, so your tools
must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low):

Engine oil API SH, Energy-Con-
serving IIº multigrade or ILSAC mul-
tigrade having viscosity proper for
your climate
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low):

Ethylene-glycol antifreeze

Demineralized or distilled water
Tools:

Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low):

SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116 DOT
3 brake fluid
Tools:

Rag or paper towel

Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Parts and tools
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