Newbie Tech Section Often asked technical questions can be asked here
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

86 4Runner starts then sputters out

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 10:33 AM
  #1  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 10:46 AM
  #2  
Philbert's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,159
Likes: 7
From: Pleasanton, CA - SF Bay Area
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!
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 10:50 AM
  #3  
OrRunner's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 697
Likes: 9
From: Oregon
Fuel Filter on the pass. side of the block?
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 10:52 AM
  #4  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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
Reply
Old Jan 12, 2012 | 10:54 AM
  #5  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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
Reply
Old Jan 16, 2012 | 05:49 PM
  #6  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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?
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2012 | 04:31 AM
  #7  
GuitarMike's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 259
Likes: 0
From: Maine
Originally Posted by OrRunner
Fuel Filter on the pass. side of the block?
If you replace the filter it's one less 'gray area' to worry about. Good luck!
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 02:56 AM
  #8  
Jasper 83's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
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.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 04:53 AM
  #9  
Terrys87's Avatar
Super Moderator
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 11,787
Likes: 28
From: Anderson Missouri
Jasper beat me to it. Sounds like you just need to make sure your air flow meter is hooked up.
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 06:30 AM
  #10  
4Crawler's Avatar
Contributing Member
20 Year Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 10,822
Likes: 34
From: SF Bay Area, CA
Try the fuel pump test jumper:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...shtml#FuelPump
Reply
Old Jan 19, 2012 | 03:24 PM
  #11  
Jasper 83's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
From: Gloucester Va
Originally Posted by Terrys87
Jasper beat me to it. Sounds like you just need to make sure your air flow meter is hooked up.

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
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 04:17 PM
  #12  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2012 | 04:36 PM
  #13  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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

Last edited by kushiel; Jan 23, 2012 at 04:43 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2012 | 02:19 PM
  #14  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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?
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2012 | 04:38 PM
  #15  
ScottyC's Avatar
Registered User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,477
Likes: 0
From: Ft Collins, CO
Bad AFM or hose not attached to the AFM. Could be an ignitor issue too.
Reply
Old Jan 28, 2012 | 04:46 PM
  #16  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
The AFM is still in the check list. Got a late start today
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2012 | 01:28 PM
  #17  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2012 | 06:33 AM
  #18  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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.
Reply
Old Feb 25, 2012 | 05:47 AM
  #19  
kushiel's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 193
Likes: 0
From: New Mexico
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
Reply
Old Feb 26, 2012 | 04:28 PM
  #20  
OkieRunner's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, OK
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.
Reply



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 12:36 PM.