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Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Toyota Tercel

Toyota Tercel Models:

Image for car images Toyota 1987 1990 Toyota Tercel coupe size thumb Image for car images Toyota 1991 1994 Toyota Tercel coupe size thumb Image for car images Toyota 1995 1999 Toyota Tercel sedan size thumb

Toyota Tercel Problems

Replace Oxygen Sensor When Servicing EGR System

Exhaust & Emissions -- Verified

Over the time the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system may become plugged with debris, the oxygen sensor may also be getting slow or 'lazy' around this time. When servicing or cleaning  the EGR system, it is a good idea to replace the oxygen sensor because it works in tandem with the EGR system.

Check Engine Light Due to Restricted EGR System

Exhaust & Emissions -- Verified

The EGR System tends to get restricted or blocked with carbon after 100,000- 125,000 miles which will cause an emissions test failure for NOX. If the EGR system is equipped with an EGR temperature sensor it will trigger a Check Engine Light for improper EGR flow. The repair is to clean out the EGR passages and the EGR Temperature sensor. Our technicians tell this repair is pretty straight forward and takes about 1-1.5 hours. It is also wi...

Engine Won't Crank Due To Starter

Electrical & Lights -- Verified

If the vehicle will not crank over, the most common problem is the starter, which tend to fail at about 100,00-125,000 miles. Sometimes it is only the starter solenoid contacts, but often the complete starter (including solenoid) needs to be replaced.

Hesitation or No Start Due to Internal Distributor Fault

Engine -- Verified

The ignition coil inside the distributor may fail. Our technicians tell us this may result in a hesitation on acceleration, especially when the vehicle is warming up on cold, rainy days. The pickup coils inside the distributor can also fail and cause a no-start condition. There have also been some failures of the radio noise suppressors inside the distributors, which can short out. Our technicians recommend replacing the whole distri...

Engine Mount on Passenger Side Can Wear With High Mileage

Engine -- Verified

The engine mount on the passenger side of the car can wear out on cars with high mileage. This will put extra stress on the other mounts and the faulty mount will need to be replaced

Toyota Tercel Recalls (Recent)

Toyota Tercel Recall 92V111000

Electrical & Lights, September 28, 1992

Summary: THERE CAN BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE HEADLAMP HOUSING IF HEADLAMP BULBS ARE REPLACED WITH ANY BRAND OTHER THAN KOITO BRAND BULBS.

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Toyota Tercel Questions and Answers

flows144, 1990 Toyota Tercel, Burlingame, CA

my car did not pass the smogg... the hc was too high what could be the problem...

tay98, 1990 Toyota Tercel, 1.5L 4 Cylinder, Chula Vista, CA

need recommend mileage to change

Visitor, 1990 Toyota Tercel, 1.5L 4 Cylinder, New Castle, PA

I never had this problem before, I drove the car for 3 miles and shut it off. When I returned to the car 15 minutes later nothing, only the chime when you insert key in ignition.

hotrodsharp, 1990 Toyota Tercel, 1.5L 4 Cylinder, San Antonio, TX

1989 tercel, put head gasket on, have bottom end on tdc, need to know where to put cam gear and witch way distb. rotor should be pointing to install timming belt ?

Visitor, 1990 Toyota Tercel, 1.5L 4 Cylinder, Pearl River, LA

Driving steady, I hear a knocking, accelerating or complete deccelerating, knock is gone. Is this a piston pin going bad, pistons where replaced around 10k miles ago.

Write a Story About Your Car

Toyota Tercel Stories

Purchased my Tercel with 82,000 miles on it...Just rolled it over to 337,000 miles with nothing but very basic and limted manitance. At 325K I had to replace the first rotor and a windshield washer pump. Been a great little car!

This thing is a tank!! It is not a Corvette but I can go for years without repair!! 190,499 miles. Typical maintenance and nothing else! Gets 30 mpg!!

super commuter, got it with 2,000 miles and it now has 224,000 miles on it. replaced tranny at 100, 000 (my fault for thinking it was an f-1 car) all original engine and suspension, engine burns "some" oil, suspension definitly sagging..oh yeah brakes done 1 time. im looking to rebuild my motor and get some basic things replaced.
BEST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED

I love this car. very good gas mileage. I own it since it came out on 97. it has 190,xxx miles but still with original timing belt and water bump. now it burns lots oil. but it can be fixed easily - just replace some valve seals. event burn oil, passing smog no problem. it goes up to 30mpg.

Essentially bulletproof. Only issues: starter and second oxygen sensor. The starter just failed, at about 75,000 miles. It turned out to NOT be the sensor, but the exhaust pipe. The biggest challenge is/was finding a good, trustworthy shop, as it is with any car.