toyota4x4907

So I bought an '88 4runner today. I looked at it on Saturday and it was in such good shape and ran great! It sat for three month before Saturday, so the guy had to jump start it. It ran fine after that. It was almost empty of fuel though, so I could only drive it for about 2 miles.
Well, today I went to pick it up. I put about 4 gallons of fuel in it. started it up, ran fine for about 30 seconds so I started driving....sputter..sputter..and it died. started again..sputter...sputter..died. I got about 1/2 miles but it wouldn't go over 10mph no matter how much I floored it, and it seemed like the rpms were barely moving ( no tach). So I put a bit of SeaFoam in the tank. I really couldn't do much because it was so cold. Tried jumping it. nothing. My friend and I ended up sitting on the side of the road fiddling with it for about an hour, but we got so cold so we gave up. I ended up flat towing it the rest of the 1.5 miles to my sisters house. MY good ole 22re did great . hm. My thoughts are perhaps the fuel filter and/or pump got clogged. I bought a new fuel filter, but It was too cold to replace it earlier, so Im going to wait until tomorrow. I Pulled engine codes. I got three flashes, 2 second interval, then one flash. I looked in the Chiltons, but theres no code for that for '88.
I'll post pics when I get back from the Gym.

abecedarian

per chilton's page 4-23
88, code 31- air flow meter signal- short between VC-VB, VC-E2, VS-VC or open circuit between VC-E2

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/AFM/index.shtml

toyota4x4907

I guess I should have done some more research before I went and sounded stupid. Code 31, mkay. I thought it was code 3...then 1, so I was rather confused. thanks Abe. Now I understand how to read codes. heh...

Here are all the pics I could snap before the batteries died. Sorry they're a little blury, when the batteries are low, it doesnt auto-focus.


My '93 on the left, the '88 on the right. Yes, It's baby blue. or light blue, perhaps.

Trying to jump-start it.

the ONLY Rust spot.

I think these are the gnarliest 225/75/r15s I've ever seen. They look better in person....

91Toyota

Nice 4runner! Looks pretty dang clean!

Did you replace the fuel filter yet? Or is it still too cold?

toyota4x4907

No, I didnt get it replaced yet. Its dark and even colder now. Plus its at my sisters house so I cant work on it. My apartment complex doesnt allow vehicle repairs in the parking lot.
So tomorrow Im going to be checking the Ohms in the AFM. Per engine code, as Abe said, its shorts in some wires on the AFM.
It was a Cali truck up until I think 3 years ago, so yes, its pretty clean.

91Toyota

Oh I see...I read that but ignored it...off thread topic...how much was the fuel filter?

toyota4x4907

Don't worry about going off topic on my threads, I don't mind.

Fram fuel filter from Schucks was about $22( only one they had, and the easiest to get a hold of because NAPA was all the way across town, Schucks is like 3 block from my apartment, and I didn't have time to go over there)

sa51

i was going to ask you if u wanted to sell your stock steelies but then i realized u are located in alaska....i can only imagine the shipping costs!

toyota4x4907

I would if I was down there, man. sorry

91Toyota

Okay sweet. Thats nice to know. So whats your plan when it warms up a bit?

toyota4x4907

Well once I get it running, I/M'ed and registered, I'm going to sell my truck and make the 'runner my primary vehicle.
Plans as far as mods-- starting out for this spring I'm planning on 1.5" bjs spacers up front, ZUK-Coil mod with 14" coils in the rear and maybe 1-2" BL. I would like to run 33"s but we'll see. At the least, 31"s.. I'f I get 33"s then 4.88 gears. Aussie in the rear. Thinking about trimming the rear wheel wells a bit. Im going to look around at junk yards and keep my eyes open for some armor. Its not going to be a huge off-roader, but this summer I'm going to start wheeling more, hopefully join a local group.

scuba

Sounds like the Efi relay...Or efi fuse even...
AFM...
If that doesnt net any results.. CIrcuit Opening Realy...Then FP

91Toyota

Sweet....sounds like a fun plan! Hope you enjoy it as much as possible!

toyota4x4907

Oh, more stuff to look at! Didnt think of the efi fuse or relay... It did throw code 31 though...

Also, It runs 5w-10 synthetic, and it looked low when I was sitting on the side of the road, so I added some 10W-30 dead dino oil. I'll change it before I drive it any more than a mile or two, but think that will cause any problems before I get it running?

toyota4x4907

Yeah, they'll do. I think I'll be the only 4Runner with the ZUK-Coil mod in Alaska I already enjoy it man. Even though I had to tow it a mile and a half, that was fun and I never towed anything with my truck before, so it made for a great experience And I just love fiddling with trucks..so no matter, I'll enjoy it

91Toyota

No, you'll be fine with mixing oil. Really its not a big deal at all. But there would be no benefit of doing so. I'm about to dump so 15w-40 rotella in my engine...because I simply don't care...haha

toyota4x4907

Let me rephrase this..it WAS low

Haha..to your 2wd or 4x4? why the heavier oil? Trying to make it stop smoking or leaking or whatever?

ScottyC

iTrader: (1)

If the EFI fuse was blown it wouldn't run at all or be able to throw codes.

Its AFM related. Pull it and make sure the flapper door opens and closes okay. Then clean it really well. Also make sure all of the tubing going to the Throttle body and intake aren't cracked and are tight. That will also cause what you are experiencing.

874runnersr5

nice 4runner man!

toyota4x4907

As you can tell, I'm not very competent about the workings of vehicles, but I try. So I'll take your word on this. This narrows it down, which is helpful. I'm going to check all the fuses and relays though.

Thanks! I like it so far