6G Celicas Forums

Hi All,

My 1995 convertible (grey Import so jap spec) has been in storage all winter.

just took it to be MOT'd - drove perfectly, no warning lights.

Went to collect it they said two warning lights had come on when they started it up to drive it into the MOT centre from the car-park.

There is the charge (battery symbol) and also "toaster" style symbol (catalyst ??) both on at once.

Tried disconnecting/reconnecting the battery to clear ECU but they remain.

Tried disconnecting battery with engine running and it dies - does this mean the alternator is dead ? Why would that cause the catalyst light

The drive belt is going round fine.

It had a new catalyst and oxygen sensor about 1,000 miles ago when I bought it.

It has actually passed the MOT fine - went through the emissions OK

the car only gets used in the summer for days out, long trips to countryside, and is in storage a lot of the year under a cover so kept dry.

Any ideas ??

has done about 98,000km (= 67,000 miles ??)

Is this going to be an expensive trip to a diagnostics place.....

This post has been edited by dvines: Jul 12, 2012 - 11:44 AM

The battery light is an indicator for the alternator. It's probably giving out. Get it tested somewhere to make sure that's the issue.

its the alternator on its way out, and the reason why the catalyst light is turning on is because your system is not charging 12 volts, so the signal back to the ecu is off, soon enough you should start seeing the tail light bulb indicator too.

Ideally you want a replacement alternator from a 3SGE or 3SGTE (NOT from a 3sfe/5sfe) as these have the higher amp output.

Thaks for the advice ..

Is the alternator on my import different or same as a UK 3S-GE engine ???

I rang one reconditioner who seemed to be trying the sucking the teeth act and "ooh yeah the parts for ipmorts are really expensive" game.... so am I about to be fleeced ?