kjg912

We (my daughter) has a Distributor problem on an early '90's 4runner that has kept 3 shops busy besides myself, won't start or run, eliminated the ignitor, distributor and computer as problems and it now appears that the Distributor loses the Crank Signal when it (or another) distributor is installed, but it works fine (sends pulse) out of the car! Anyone out there seen this type of problem before? It has now been guessed to be some type of ground fault, but it is really stumping some decent to very good mechanics who have never run across this type of problem - ever! Any ideas or experience appreciated!
Sincerely
:pat:

bamachem

It seems like it's common in early 90's runners. I'd like to know what causes it. If I can narrow it down, I know where I can pick up several for less than $1000 each that are in near mint condition but just won't crank...

bump for ya.

Babypig

Have they pulled a code? That should start them in the right direction

trx125

Pick up coil inside distributor? Mine went bad. I was told that I had to buy a new dist. from dealership. Funny thing was no one ever heard of one going bad,so every place I called to get the part no one listed it, not even Toyota, they told me I had to buy whole new distributor. I found a dealership that carried it and they even sold it to me cheap, because they said it that was the first one they had even heard of going bad! Also check for a cracjked intake hose because they will not crank with a cracked hose as well! Almost forgot Toyota list the part as a signal generator(pickup coil), you can get it from Limbaugh Toyota in Birmingham, AL!

kjg912

All three shops tried new distributors and it didn't fix the problem, the last shop finally read what was wrong with a very expensive scope they borrowed, and the problem is no crank signal/pulse. The distributor/crank pulse works correctly with the distributor pulled out, but it is lost when the distributor is put back in. They tried other distributors and the same thing happens! It makes me happy for my old 009 distributor in my 38 year old 912, never a problem there!

jimbo74

912, the glorified bug.. haha


sounds almost liek a ground problem somewhere... like improper grounding or shorting of the connector to plug the distributer in @ the coil.... that would explain why the distributor works outside the car, but not in.... eliminated the igniter how? my igniter jsut died on me one day and my truck didnt have spark... we tested my distributor and it did show a pulse, we checked my fuel pressure and i had some, so then i located a igniter and viola, truck lived again

Babypig

Yeah but you can pull the codes at home with a paper clip. That will tell you where to start looking. I you can give us a code that would help lots. If they need an expensive scope to do that something is wrong with the mechanics. It does sound kinda like a ground problem.

kjg912

All three shops read the codes, and test-replaced the Ignitor, Distributor and Computer respectively! It does sound like a ground fault problem, any other ideas or leads as to where the ground fault may be located?

And yes, my 912 is indeed just one step up from a "glorified Bug" - however, with 4 wheel disk brakes, a 5-speed 902 transmission that has lasted 38 years, turns on a dime and 34 mpg hwy and "economy car" insurance rates, I don't complain too much! Besides not having more than 2 car payments in the last 19 years allows me to do better things with my dinero! (I can also take the entire drive train out of a 912 very quickly (my old coupe in 1.5 hours - first try, I've never had to on the targa!)

Now this 4-runner on the other hand, owned for 7 months and 6 months broken - been to three reputable shops, wow, no wonder I (personally) haven't had a Japanese car since 1975! (I still think the 4-runners and toyota trucks can be good vehicles, I have friends who have had great results with them, taken them on the White Rim and to the Maze, but sadly, this vehicle will be either fixed and sold or parted out even though it looks great!