Hfitch9

So I have a 1994 4runner 4x4 with a 3vze engine and a 5 speed. Had it about almost a year. Yesterday the check engine came on while driving home. Everything seemed to be running fine. I got home shut it off and tried to start it. It spit and sputtered and stalled. I pulled the code which is a code 12 for no rpm signal. So now when I try to start it sometimes I can give it a few revs and keep it from stalling. Then it seems to idle basically normal and drives fine. Other times itll idle rough like theres a misfire and when I give it throttle it Boggs and dies. The only thing I can think of that would have given me and warning of this happening is a few days I notice when I shift sometimes I could hear a slit back fire. I just though it was due to not having any cats. Spark plugs and wires were changed shortly after I bought it. New to the whole toyota thing so just looking for help from someone who has maybe had the same issue. It cranks and starts so I know I have some spark. Is it possibly and timing issue? Timing belt slipped? Any help would be appreciated.

Gevo

Due to the erratic nature of the issues I would say it's an electrical related problem. Maybe some bad wires, maybe a component on it's last legs.

Check the FSM for the circuit to test related to the RPM signal. Got to start from somewhere.

Does the engine knock at all when it's having a hard time starting?

Hfitch9

FSM? not sure if I know what that is. And from what can tell no is dosent knock. But what how would that relate? Might give me another starting point

Gevo

Factory Servic manual. google yotatech FSM and you should eventually find the links to it.

I was thinking if it is knocking it will be related to your distributor and ignition system.

Hfitch9

I was thinking the same because I know the "position sensor" is built in the distributor and I got the code 12