I recently bought this 85 Runner (non-running), and I'm trying to figure out why it won't turn over. The starter turns, and now I just discovered that the starter is turning the flywheel also, but the crankshaft isn't turning. Shouldn't the crank and flywheel be bolted together (and therefore turning together)? Is so, what could be wrong here? It's an automatic, so the flywheel and torque converter should be connected together. Could flywheel bolts have sheared off?

 

It should still turn the engine over. you hear the starter engaging right? & does it have compression?

Mike

 

If indeed your flywheel is turning, and your crank is not then that is a serious issue. Yes the flywheel bolts could be sheared, I have never heard of it but its possible. You can turn the crank from the front and see if the flywheel moves, to help verify.

 

The starter definitely turns. The flywheel definitely turns when the starter turns. I have the valve cover off so I can see if the timing chain is moving when I crank the starter, but it doesn't. Timing chain isn't broken. What's a bit odd is that the flywheel turns when I hand turn the crankshaft from the front, but the crankshaft doesn't turn when I turn the flywheel (via the starter).

To confirm the issue am I going to have to pull the tranny and see if the flywheel came loose? Is it possible for the crankshaft to snap somewhere along it's length, leaving the flywheel loose, but touching just enough to explain why the flywheel is turning when I hand turn the shaft?

 

Thats odd...now you got me thinking...

 

probably broken flexplate, broken around where the bolts fasten to the crankshaft flange. there's enough friction/ drag to turn the flywheel / torque converter when you spin the pulley end but the starter puts out more than enough torque to overcome that friction so the flexplate / converter spin but the crankshaft doesn't.

 

can you get anything in there to hold or put pressure on the flexplate? Then you can have someone turn it over BY HAND and see if it still turns...

 

I have seen a few flexplates on vehicles that have sheared just outside the bolt pattern on the crank. I've never heard of it happening on a Yota though.

 

If it is, i wonder what caused it to shear at the flexplate like that? hmmm..

hey VinceDee, hurry up & take that tranny out already!
were dying to know. lol..

Mike