Need some thoughts. Started my 4Runner yesterday and had a big backfire from under the hood, seemed the manifold side, and it shut off. It restarted just to shut off again, like out of gas. It was low, put some in, same thing today, start up and shut off. What could have caused the backfire and now not able to stay running? Is it timing now messed up, points fried? It’s an 22RE, automatic, thanks for any help!

 

It is dead, send me an address and I will come recycle it..

First off it doesn't have points, it is a modern(ish) EFI with electronic ignition.

You need to preform a visual inspection of the air intake piping. An intake fire can blow the connections loose. If the hoses aren't connected the fuel pump does not run.

You need to preform a visual inspection of the ignitor wiring. A loose wire, shorted wire, or loose ignitor (it grounds to the body) can cause the coil to fire when it shouldn't (intake valves open). Pay extra attention to the position sensor in the distributor and its wiring.

You may want to run the compression test.

You need to get a service manual.