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California ECU Compatibility

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Old 12-03-2014, 12:27 PM
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California ECU Compatibility

Hi guys,

I have been doing a lot of research about this and was looking to get some personal feedback of guys that have maybe done this.

I have an 89 4runner that so happens to be a California emissions vehicle. I was not being smart and got the ECU wet. As you all can imagine, that ECU (89661-35270) is hard to find. Other than the EGR temperature sensor (which I can put a factory blanketing plug on), I have not been able to find any other differences between a Federal 4runner and a Cali 4runner. Is there anything (like VSV's) that I am forgetting about?

As you guys have probably guessed, I want to get a federal emissions ECU and put that on instead.

Thanks for the help.
Old 12-03-2014, 05:15 PM
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Here in southern ontario, emissions laws may not be quite as strict as California but we still have some of the tightest regulations in canada.

currently I'm running a 93 pickup with the 22re. The truck is running on an 87 ecu, 87 engine harness, 87 TPS, 93 afm, 93 injectors, no egr, no pair, pcv vented to the road, charcoal canister vented to the road, and the entire vacuum bank at the valve cover deleted along with the related solenoids. Custom 2.5" exhaust with generic a generic cat. The truck passed a legit etest last week with flying colours. Albeit there was no visual inspection.

You need good compression to pass. But beyond that If the o2 sensor works, and all basic sensors like the afm, knock, TPS, water temp etc work, and you have no cel codes there is no reason not to pass no matter what combination of parts you're using.

Last edited by the171; 12-03-2014 at 05:33 PM.
Old 12-03-2014, 05:49 PM
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I'm not 100% sure on this but doesn't the CA emissions have 2 O2 sensors and fed only have 1? I know my truck is CA and has 2. One in front and one behind the cat.
Old 12-03-2014, 06:40 PM
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Ive heard that. Even so, its my understanding that secondary o2 sensors are typically used to monitor the operation of the cat. Its the primary o2 that controls air fuel and closed loop. I can't see the secondary sensor affecting the test unless it throws a code, in which case, manipulate the code.

Last edited by the171; 12-03-2014 at 06:43 PM.
Old 12-04-2014, 02:25 AM
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Also my 87 California runner only has one o2 sensor, but PO might have deleted #2 when they installed the headers. Not sure, they got pretty creative with the wiring...

No CEL codes, though.
Old 12-04-2014, 04:12 AM
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I had a 91 that was Cali Emission and it had the down stream sensor behind the catalytic converter. The EGR and 2nd O2 sensor is the only two extra sensors I can think of on the Cali Emission trucks. I would think it would run okay, but wonder if it will throw codes. I am interested in seeing what results you get if you go this route.

I might would run the non California computer until I hopefully could find the correct one at a later time.
Old 12-04-2014, 07:00 AM
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Thanks for the replies guys. My truck has only one O2 sensor (before the cat) I have actually periodically gotten a code 71 which is for the EGR temp sensor because of the headers (Pacesetter) that I installed when I first got the truck.

Yesterday night I worked on getting the truck to start...I do have other issues with the injectors not firing (I'm getting a code 12). I was able to get the truck to run and stay running by jumping the cold start injector, so I am pretty sure I have some loose contacts at the ECU in the EFI harness plug.

Other than that I have no emission codes, but we will see how it does when it runs for a longer time.

If anyone has any ideas, post them up. Thanks for all of the help! I really do appreciate it.

*Edit: I had a non Cali ECU laying around off 1990 4runner so I tried getting the truck to work with that.*

Last edited by falcon4runner; 12-04-2014 at 02:41 PM. Reason: more info
Old 12-04-2014, 05:56 PM
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my California 85 4runner only has one before the cat
Old 12-04-2014, 10:32 PM
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The 2nd O2 sensor were random, Nothing to do with CA, It seems more likely weather US or import assembly, Like the 3rd taillight.
I have read of owners all over the US that have them, I am more surprised any pre 93 have them.
The only thing CA requires is the EGR heat sensor (All US models have factory EGR).


All the second O2 sensor does is throw a fault when the CAT fails.


There is no difference between the CA and Non-CA ECU, Its just the manufactures don't want to spend the money every time a revision change on testing so CA will allow it to be used, They just give it another part number.
The Non-CA O2 sensors and CAT work fine if you can get them shipped.
Old 12-04-2014, 10:44 PM
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I posted info how I go about fixing non firing injectors https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...nt-run-284441/ I have seen these trucks run just on the cold start injector.
Old 03-14-2016, 07:37 AM
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Originally Posted by falcon4runner
Thanks for the replies guys. My truck has only one O2 sensor (before the cat) I have actually periodically gotten a code 71 which is for the EGR temp sensor because of the headers (Pacesetter) that I installed when I first got the truck.

Yesterday night I worked on getting the truck to start...I do have other issues with the injectors not firing (I'm getting a code 12). I was able to get the truck to run and stay running by jumping the cold start injector, so I am pretty sure I have some loose contacts at the ECU in the EFI harness plug.

Other than that I have no emission codes, but we will see how it does when it runs for a longer time.

If anyone has any ideas, post them up. Thanks for all of the help! I really do appreciate it.

*Edit: I had a non Cali ECU laying around off 1990 4runner so I tried getting the truck to work with that.*
figured i would bump this up and hopefully get an update on your 4runner. I have the same ECU (89661-35270) and i believe i fried it when i installed my battery and accidentally had a power wire touching the body. anyhoo, did the ecu out of the 90 4runner work for you? i am searching for alternatives as the exact replacement, as you experienced, appears to be made of unobtainium.
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