Engine locked? Timing belt? Hellp...!, Car makes the sound like its starting but it doesn't actually turn Options

[supaneko]

I drove my mother's 1990 Celica ST to my doctor's appointment without any issues. I stopped to get gas on the way and still made it there without any problems. After an hour, I jumped in and started it and and pulled up to the road to make a turn. Just as I got ready to turn the car stalled out. I went to start it back up and it just wouldn't do it. I tried a few more times to start it but no luck. The battery is fine, the alternator is new.

I moved the car out of the way and then checked the oil. NOTHING showed on the dipstick. I poured a quart and a half in and finally it registered in the middle of the dipstick. I went to start the car again and still no luck.

When I turn the key it sounds SIMILAR to a car that wants to start on a low battery. However, the sound doesn't sound the exact same to me. It's very similar but for some reason I just feel like it's "different."

Any ideas? The gentleman that towed the car home for me said he thought it sounding like the timing belt needed to be replaced. Would low oil cause this? What can I do to check what the issue is or what likely needs to be repaired?

[wilc4]

I would check the battery, too. A jump is an easy place to start. Reason why I mention this is the new alternator. If the battery was run for a while with the old alternator, it may have caused it burn out. I have had this happen before.

BTW - if a quart of oil put it on the dipstick, you are probably two quarts low, which should do any damage in the short term (really, though have your mom check her oil).

[Hino94Celica]

I would check the battery, too. A jump is an easy place to start. Reason why I mention this is the new alternator. If the battery was run for a while with the old alternator, it may have caused it burn out. I have had this happen before.

BTW - if a quart of oil put it on the dipstick, you are probably two quarts low, which should do any damage in the short term (really, though have your mom check her oil).

I ran into a similar problem..
I changed distributor, Wires, PTS, ECU and still having problems..
My car would start and then die..
So please let me know if you have fix yours and how..
Thanks..

[stephen_lee]

I would check the battery, too. A jump is an easy place to start. Reason why I mention this is the new alternator. If the battery was run for a while with the old alternator, it may have caused it burn out. I have had this happen before.

BTW - if a quart of oil put it on the dipstick, you are probably two quarts low, which should do any damage in the short term (really, though have your mom check her oil).

I ran into a similar problem..
I changed distributor, Wires, PTS, ECU and still having problems..
My car would start and then die..
So please let me know if you have fix yours and how..
Thanks..

your issue sounds like fuel pump