86 4Runner starts then sputters out
 

Hello all,

I am the new owner of an 86 4Runner, 22re engine. It wouldn't start when I first got it but here is what we've done to it so far (this is my first time under the hood btw):

Fuel pump was dead - replaced with a new working one
Try to start it nothing happened

Open circuit relay - high resistance reading so this was replaced
4Runner started, turned over a few times and died. It will start with ether sprayed into the manifold

Grounding - went through the components under the hood and cleaned all the connections. Checked to make sure everything was grounded.

Checked solenoid resistor, cold start injector, open circuit relay, and the main relay - all within the standard resistance values

Checked the air intake system and hoses - all good

Cracked the aux. fuel injector valve - gas leaked out. Cranked the engine and fuel sprayed everywhere.

Jumped the diagnostics computer - one blink so all clear on that end

Tried to start it again after all that and got the same result. Starts, coughs, and dies. I am guessing this is a fuel problem.

Monday is my next day off to work on this thing and I was wondering what folks would recommend for next steps. I hope I can answer any additional questions.

ara

sounds like you did a lot already.

Did you check the distributor drive gear on the camshaft? Maybe the distributor is off a tooth? When I did my timing chain, I was off by a tooth on the dizzy, and it would start, sputter and die, or start, run really rough, and then die. Once I lined up the dizzy correctly it ran fine.

Hope you figure it out - good luck!

Fuel Filter on the pass. side of the block?

Thanks so far folks. I went through the forums here to create my initial check list above. I will add the suggestions to my list for Monday from Philbert and OrRunner.

ara

I forgot to add. We pulled the spark plugs and cleaned them up. The gaps are all around 0.4. Is that correct for this year and engine?

And we pulled the distributor cap off and that all looked good (no funny arcing anywhere)

ara

Monday update: We ended up pulling the clip off the auxiliary fuel injector and hooked it up to a 12V bulb. One cranking it lit. We pulled the clip off the 1st fuel injector and attached a 12V bulb. No light. Tracked the problem down to the ECU. Replaced that and now the bulb in the fuel injectors actually comes on. So that was another problem solved. It still starts, sputters, and then dies but it takes longer to die. So this weekend we are going to swap out fuel filters. Any other suggestions?

If you replace the filter it's one less 'gray area' to worry about. Good luck!

Have you checked the airflow meter? If you disconnect the intake hose off the front of the intake they wont run. I figured that out one day trying to clean my throttle body. Air has to be pulled thru that meter.

Jasper beat me to it. Sounds like you just need to make sure your air flow meter is hooked up.

Try the fuel pump test jumper:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#FuelPump

Haha i learned that one the hard way. What made me think of it is he said if he sprayed ether in the intake it will run off that. If hes sprayin it straight in the throttle body then the hose definitely aint hooked up. Hopefully the OP will update this and let us know if he got it goin or not

Monday update: So it looks like we still aren't getting power to the fuel injectors. I swapped out the solenoid resistor and nothing. I pulled apart the wiring harness and found all the splices. It looks we are going to solder the connections and see what happens. I also went back though and retested the relays, checked fuses, etc.. to make sure all the readers are in line. I will check the airflow meter this weekend. I forgot to do the fuel pump jumper test. DOH. I guess that get's added to the list.

Monday update II:
Just heard back from my friend. Wires in the harness have been inspected and soldered. Runs for a few seconds and the dies.

So that leaves me with jumping the fuel pump connector and poking at the AFM.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far!

ara

Saturday update:
Did the fuel pump jumper test
Round 1: I started and ran for about 3 mins then died
Round 2: Started it up and it ran fine (well a little rough)

I let it sit running for about 5 mins and then shut it off.

I pulled the coolant temperature sensor and checked the resistance. It was 1k Ohm. Way to low according to the book I have. Is that correct? I think I need to replace this sensor.

I cleaned up the contacts on the sensor and pulled the jumper out. The 4runner started right up. I am guessing this is because the engine warmed up enough the it overcame the wonky sensor?

Bad AFM or hose not attached to the AFM. Could be an ignitor issue too.

The AFM is still in the check list. Got a late start today :(

Update - Check the AFM and everything falls within the proper range.

I got a smaller meter and checked the coolant temperature sensor. At 50F I got 4.35 kOhm reading. This is high for that temperature. I think I have a sensor lying around. I am going to swap these out tomorrow and see what happens.

So we are up and running, but not really. We limped the 4runner around the block. Basically it sputtered along never getting above 700 rpm. When it's parked the 4runner runs smooth.

I am going to pull out the fuel filter this coming weekend. It looks like a pain since the starter is in the way of the fuel filter.

I pulled the fuel filter out and replaced it. Two things I learned.

DON'T remove the bolts on the front of the starter. I did this my accident and the whole thing popped apart. It was funny after I had a few beers later in the day. At the time I was mildly upset.

My friend was kind enough to pull the whole start out and put it back together for me. Turns out on this 4runner this is a removable panel on the passenger side wheel well that makes getting at the starter super easy. Check there first before removing anything.

So it's up and running. It's been driving around the block. I am going over today to run it around again and put the interior back together.

In two weeks we are going to replace the clutch.

Thanks for all of your help and suggestions!

ara

Wow. Its amazing that something as simple as a fuel filter can cause all that. I need to replace mine too but it dosent look like fun up there by the starter.