I broke my air mass meter. I was trying to figure out why the truck had no power and started taking apart components near the air filter to make sure everything was clear. I unscrewed the cabling from the air mass meter and broke the solder joints, I tried to re-solder what I broke using a cheapo soldering iron and burnt the traces off. My 4Runner will not start now. I was wondering if there is a way to route around that or jerry-rig it so I can get the truck started? I'm guessing not, but it never hurts to ask right?

Since the answer is most likely no, can I get some suggestions on where I can find this part cheap? I looked online and it is ranging from $270-$320. Thanks for any help/suggestions!

 

Give us some more info!

Year? Make? MOdel? Engine size?

What part specifically did you break? And are we talking Air flow meter?

Also, depending on the year, I can get you one from my wrecking yard locally much much less than $270

 

You guessed it, the AFM is a critical sensor. Your engine won't run without it.

You may have other issues as well.

First phone up all your local wrecking yards to see if they have a used one.

 

Also, it HAS to be in the loop for the engine to run. No you do not want to get around it, becuase its a resistance based meter.

 

1990 4Runner 3.0L

Its the actual sensor, the electronic part of the unit. the important part lol.

 

i have a 94 3.0 and i have no clue what this cabling is u speek of.. all mine has is the pigtail plug in... is this what you broke.. am i missing something..

 

you can buy (or barrow/rent) a medical soldering iron. or take it to your local nerd shop (i.e. radio-shack) and buy a student a few beers to do it for you. (maybe if your g.f. does the asking for you, it will raise your chances)

that can be fixed, and for a few hours of driving around, can be done in an afternoon.

 

iirc if you undo the screws next to the pigtail wire harness you'll pull traces off a circuit board and ruin the airflow meter. i remember reading about a few guys here who did it a while ago. you either have to buy a new part or resolder the thing (painful).

no idea why toyota made those screws removable, in any case.

 

The electric part is not removable from the aluminum housing. If you broke the contacts, time to get a new one. PM me all the info about the truck, and I'll PM you a price. I can get tested used units pretty cheap.

 

Toyota really messed up making these things (look) removable. I had to run to stop my friend from trying to take mine off.

 

yeah, I thought I could disconnect that and look at the connections to make sure they were ok. I broke mine trying to figure out why the truck has no power. I'm going to do a compression test on the motor though. It may not be worth fixing this air mass sensor piston rings and what not are shot. Anyone know where the compression should be on these 3.0L motors?