I am currently looking at a 1990 SR5 3.0 auto 4 runner that is for sale locally. It has 156K miles on the truck and 77K on the motor. The price is right, however, it has a flood title and has some electrical problems. The current owner says it will start and run fine on a clear dry day but it will not start if it is damp out. He also said that the battery will go dead if it sits for more than a few days. Can anyone help me diagnose these problems before I buy it so I don't purchase a money trap. Should I even consider this or just walk away from it. I think I can get it for less than $2,000 which is why I am considering it.

 

I'll probably get flamed for this, but the 3.0 problems alone would be enough to get me to walk away, add to that a flood damaged title and electrical problems and $4.00/gal gas and they would almost have to pay me to take it. But I am kind of fussy now. Flame suit on

 

I would pass just because I don't like to buy somebody else's headache.

Rob

 

Cant really diagnose the exact problem. My solution invloves a lot of hard work but should get the problem resolved.
I would get to every electrical connector I can find, open it up, blow out any moisture, spray a water repellent or electrical contact cleaner in there and reconnect. You may eventually find the problem.

 

I wonder if they ever put another computer in it?

 

You could check with the local stealership and see how much it would cost to replace the wiring harnesses. If you do it yourself, it may still be a good deal. If you go that route, make sure you blow out all of the connections before you plug in the new wiring. You could find a new/used computer and if any sensors are bad, they would show themselves better after putting the new harness in. That would eliminate the guesswork. I don't know if this is something that you would take on but, it is one option.

 

I just bought a '95 that runs great, almost zero rust, mint tailgate... for $1500 CDN. There are others out there. For your $2k, this one would be near-mint.

Walk away.

 

offer 1k, no more. you could part it out and make your money back. just a thought.

lee

 

I'd walk away myself. I just finished looking for an electrical problem which NOLTZ and GOAT help...thanks again. Just doing that was a pain in the rear. thought it was my ALT. but just turned out to be a pinched fog light hot wire, i hope. I found plenty runners on craigslist here in cali that were awsome for cheap

 

ELECTRICAL = PAIN IN ASS. Shorts and grounds love to hide in the caves of your truck only accessible by the small gnomes that built the thing. I have a 3.0 90 runner and love it, but yea.. WALK AWAY. There are tons of them around without this issue.