pisc2bn

Hey all,

I am so lost on this issue. My '94 4Runner is having issues starting. It will turn over and continue to turn over just fine. But won't start. When I shoot some throttle body cleaner in the intake, it will fire right up and continue to run fine.

There is a strong fuel smell from the exhaust, so I thought that I was getting too much fuel. However, I have "popping" in the intake so I know that means it is lean. I took it to a shop to have the guys do a diagnostics on it and they said it was lean too.

They also said that their scanner had a problem hooking up to it. It would only stay connected for 3-4 seconds, but the info they got said that all sensors were reading correctly, and the mass air flow was fine. All injectors firing, all plugs & wires good. They are thinking it is an electrical issue.

I am thinking that maybe it is my fuel pump going down. This has been a gradual increasing problem. It started over 6 months ago. Now it wont start at all without throttle body cleaner in the intake.

The pump is only 2 years old. I replaced the fuel filter a month ago. I replaced the fuel pressure regulator 2 weeks ago. I replaced the distributor cap and rotor a month ago. When I took out the fuel filter brown sludge gooped out (obviously rust). So I am also thinking that the fuel tank is rusting. I have had the tank treated, so maybe that's not it.

Anyone have issues similar to this? Any ideas? Suggestions?

Thanks for looking!!!!
Jim

scope103

Runs-with-starter-fluid is almost certainly a fuel issue. (and lay off that stuff, it'll give you cancer or herpes or something...) Do you have any codes? You say the shop used a scanner, which do exist for this truck, but are pretty rare. To get the codes you need the "special service tool," and I only use the best: http://www.officedepot.com/a/product...r-Clips-Jumbo/

While you're in the diagnostic port looking for codes, you can try connecting FP to B+. You should be able to HEAR the fuel pump starting. If the truck then starts with the key, you have a problem in the MAF - COR circuit. If it won't start, pull the fuel return line (rubber hose on fuel pressure regulator), put the line in a securely-held container, and then start the fuel pump. If nothing comes out of the return line, you have no fuel pressure.

(Please be careful doing that; you don't want any source of ignition around while gasoline is splashing into a tin can.)

pisc2bn

Hey Scope,

I like your link to the paperclip. I have used that trick for a while now. Awesome. And thanks for the recommendation for the jumping of Fp B+. I tried that and there was no fuel pump turning on noise. I then tried to start it to see if it would start easier, and it operated the same as it has been. I pulled the return line, turned over the engine and nothing came out of the fuel pressure regulator. The engine started after a bit (its warm) and then I asked my wife to turn it off and just a little bit of fuel, a drop really, came out of the regulator. Oh, by the way... Code is 71. EGR.

What is so weird is that once it is started, it runs great. And when it is warm, I barely bump the key and it starts. But in the morning before work...I could crank it all day long.

I am a bit confused on the acronyms..

MAF=Mass Air Flow correct?
COR=No idea...lol.

I have an appointment at a specialty automotive electrical place on Wednesday. They said for $60 they will be able to tell me exactly what it is.

So frustrating. I want to stop using the throttle body cleaner...I do..I really do. I don't want herpes. hahaha

Thanks for your post.
Jim

hmongyota

Re check all of ur spark plug wires to see if they are not burned or short... i had the very same problem and i found that 2 of my spark plug wires got burned by the egr vavle tube exhaust..go read one of my thread... good luck

andrew1586

Check the cold start injector

StewsRunner

iTrader: (1)

x2 ^^ I'm having the same problem. I live in the snow when in the morning when it's below freezing my 91 3.0 will start up so fast! but when i let is sit in the sun at school or work it just cranks and cranks. I also get the smell of fuel. I'm still trying to figure mine out but I thought my cold start injector was stuck open there for causing it to flood. One day I decided to unplug the connector and it started right up every time that day. Then the next morning my truck wouldn't start so i plugged in the connector and she fired right up so that proves that my injector closes. So I am now thinking that it is my time switch telling it to open and close at off times. You could try unplugging it, you have a 50/50 chance of unplugging it with it cold and drive a couple days and see if it gets better. It may crank a little for the 1st start of the day but the afternoon is where is matters.

scope103

COR: Circuit Opening Relay
http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/1990-1995...emci/eng3r.pdf

Fuel should come out of the fuel return line continuously whenever the fuel pump is on. You could have an intermittent fuel pump, or a badly clogged fuel filter.

So what did the specialists tell you for $60?