Hey guys, I have a 1993 Toyota Pickup (22RE 5-speed 4WD)

I have had issues with my engine dying when I go through water crossings, deep puddles or other contact with water. It will go into a rough, low idle that can't be corrected with a bit more gas. It takes a minute or two with the engine off to crank it back over and it runs fine. Its highly embarassing when off roading with buddies who have to wait for me to get my engine restarted to get moving again. It makes ˟˟˟˟-talking non-Toyotas really hard...

I had initially thought that it was a loose wire connection or something that was being splashed but I had heard from a buddy that there is a sensor under the hood that will detect water and kill the engine to prevent a hydro-lock in the event you plow into some deep water.

Now ive had a look under the hood and I cant find hide nor hair of any such sensor in any technical manuals. What could be causing this? do i just need to go through my wiring harness and find a gap or bad connection / missing insulators?

 

Never heard of any sensor like that. How deep is the water?

I keep my engine bay clean and that will happen after a rinse with the hose if I don't pull the distributor cap and blow out the moisture.

Get some dielectric grease and put it in all your connectors and plug wires. Keep the boot over your dist cap in place. If you don't have one, get one.

If you do a lot of water crossings maybe you should consider an electric fan you could shut off so you don't blow water all over the engine compartment.

If you are blasting through puddles and such make sure you have the rubber wheel well flaps or make larger ones to keep the splash into the engine bay to a minimum.

 

Maybe something you could try: My 91 never had issue with water crossings but when it rained or I was in a very wet climate it took about 3 minutes to finally catch and idle well. If I were to jumper the fuel pump it would fire right up, so maybe you have an exposed wire and when it gets wet it kills the fuel pump? Just a thought, I do not know how to jumper the 22re though.

 

Check your O2 sensor wires under the truck.
If they look fine get a spray bottle of water and start spraying things.

 

Ill have a look at the fuel pump. I remember that as the engine is shuddering and dying on the far side of the water crossing or large puddle, hitting the gas doesn't seem to feed any more fuel, it just kills the engine faster. Could be the fuel pump. Time to start greasing and taping everything then!

 

i want to know who told you about the water sensor that shuts off the engine.

They are my new Hero!!

If you have not all ready sealed up all the goodies .

Still running the stock air intake??

Is the AFM connector getting wet?? That may take out the fuel pump.

Also any of the other relays getting wet can cause havoc.

 

spray with a water bottle. spark plug wires and distrib cap are good possibilities

 

x2 on the o2 sensor!!

 

Those are the items that come to mind to me. There is extremely high voltage in those cable, if they get wet you have a great path to ground vs jumping the plug gap. I'd replace them if there are a few years old:

New NGK Spark Plug Wire Set Truck Toyota
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-NGK-Spar...-/130923135550

Price:US $18.95
Shipping $4.95

 

Wires and distributor cap. Smack your buddy for me across the face, hes an idiot. Water sensor..now ive heard it all.

 

Ditto on cap and spark plug wires. Need to replace mine every 2-3 yrs (95 4runner 3VZE). If engine gets damp or wet when they are old, it barely runs.

 

I've got a 92 4x4 pickup that will do the same exact thing described above with puddles. I've got a new engine had new spark plugs put on and a new distributor cap after the old one was corroded and gave me problems starting. Found out my multiple spark ignitor does this quicker then usual corroding the cap that is. Still having this problem and can't figure out why. My jeep wrangler could blast through puddles with ease.

 

Distributor cap o-ring is probably doing nothing to keep out moisture. Mine just fell apart on my 92 pickup when I changed it. Moisture gets between battery cable post connector, and battery post can cause a no start. Have had that to happen cleaning engine bays at the car wash.

 

Replaced water sensor ( from Toyos R us) and cleared codes.... then code 13, the muffler bearing code pops up and code 666, the blinker fluid code. Been pulling my hair out trying to find a good quality blinker fluid, and a Spicer muffler bearing. None of the local auto chain stores or Walmart carry them. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you

 

I don't think you'll find either of those in the U.S.
You'll have to order from overseas. You know, Oz, Land of the Lost (those Sleestack tend to hoard parts like those), places like that. Prices aren't bad, but shipping can get a little steep.

Good luck!
Pat☺