I picked up a 88 4runner today. Trying to start and it is trying to start without the coil wire even hooked up. I hope someone can give me an answer.

 

Explain just what you mean .

A picture would help

If it is a gasoline engine with a distributor it is impossible for it to run with the coil wire removed

No coil wire no spark no controlled explosion

It will crank till the battery goes dead .

 

I know it shouldn't fire with no coil wire. I was holding coil wire in my hand and my son turned it over and it fired several times before it stopped. Could something be feeding back through the key ignition? I know it shouldn't happen but it did several times.

 

Over the years I have seen strange things but if the high tension lead is out of the distributor there is no spark.

Just like removing the rotor no spark

Compression leaking past valves or spark plugs sounding like it is trying to start

The only way spark gets to the plugs is via the rotor and plug wires

We are dealing with a 22r series engine or 3.0 nothing swapped in with coil packs ??

Interesting

Your saying it started ??

 

3.0 yes it fired several times before it stopped. Would starter fluid cause this? It's been sitting for 11 years so I sprayed a little in to get it to start.

 

Do you think it could be feeding power into the distributor from the switch?

 

Was this with the engine at operating temperature ??

If it was enough carbon deposits can remain hot enough to ignite the fuel mixture .

I have seen all kinds of wiring blunders anything is possible but getting enough voltage to the spark plugs to fire by accident

Just where did your spray starting fluid .

If the air intake is disconnected the fuel pump will not turn on

 

Was not at operating temperature. Disconnected short hose from valve cover to air intake and sprayed it in there. Wiring doesn't look like it's been messed with. How can I check coil to see if it's good? I tried with screw driver by sticking it in coil wire and grounding it to body but no spark. My cell is 252-536-1783 if you could call. Thanks for your help

 

The only thing I can say is it is just possible a few of the cylinders have such a build up of deposits the compression is doubled or more .

This caused the starting fluid to ignite .

Have you pulled the plugs ??

You say to call are you awake between 2 and 4am Eastern Time

 

I have not pulled the plugs to check anything. I'm up and moving around by 5am