cvang201

ok, like the title says, my check engine light was on for my 91 toyota 4runner, and i got a paper clip to see what the check engine light was coming on for and when I stuck the paper clip in E1 (havent had the chance to put in TE1) the paper clip got really hot and the engine turned off and wont come back on...does anyone know what's going on here, I checked for any loose wires/connectors and everything is fine and in place, when I turn the keys the motor still cranks but just wont turn on, some one help...please

cvang201

Anybody??? Anybody every ever had this happen?

justin_4runner

check fuses and relays sounds like something went wrong and it also could of fried the ecu. might want to do some searching and look for no start... lots of threads with that.

TMDedtruks

Check all your fuses before you assume you fried the ECU, including underhood fuse box. Start there ... and don't use paperclips for diagnosis of electronics! Download the FSM for your year truck so you can see your wiring schematic. I saw a link for it here on Yotatech ... GL.

blake.nemitz

how did it short if only one end was inserted what did it short against?

MudHippy

You're fired!

A paperclip makes as suitable a jumper wire as is required. And that's why it's EXACTLY what we ALL use to jump the check connectors.

Which, something tells me, you've never done before(OBVIOUSLY!)

Regarding commenting on topics you know little to nothing about:

"It's better to remain silent and be considered a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt." - Anonymous

Bojangles

I keep a paperclip in my ashtray just for this.
There is NOTHING wrong with this method.

And you didn't fry the ECU from plugging a paper clip into the E1 terminal...
If anything you've popped a fuse somewhere...Check all of them.
There is a Fuse box under the hood by the battery,
And there is a fuse box under the drivers side kick panel.
If you popped an ECU fuse (Under the hood fuse box, 15 amp fuse)
Then the engine will continue to turn over without cranking.

Goodluck.

peow130

He put the paperclip into the wrong terminals.
It got hot, because the paperclip caused a direct short.
Shorts blow fuses, etc etc.
Check ALL your fuses.

Romans117

The efi fuse as I recall.

Team420

what?! The mighty paperclip is the handiest fanciest tool in my tool box!

The masses are amazed by the wonders of the all important, mighty paperclip!! lol

Kristonit

I was trying to set the timing on my wife's 1994 Toyota Celica with a paperclip in the diagnosis panel and there was a spark, motor died, and paperclip was very hot. I have checked all fuses and they all seem to be okay. Were you able to determine and get your vehicle running again and if so could you tell me what it was that made your vehicle not start? My name is Kris and im desperate for help. My phone number is 541-297-0511.

thefishguy77

iTrader: (1)

Have you checked your fuses? Under dash and under hood. You probably got the wrong terminal and shorted it out. Thats why the paper clip got hot. Check your fuses with a multimeter , you are checking for resistance or ohms. There are plenty of YouTube videos showing "how to check car fuses with multimeters" use the search terms in quotes. If you don't have one you can get a new one from harbor freight for cheap and it will work well. If you don't have a HF near then a Home Depot type box store should have one as well. Just a few more bucks. You really should have one for any older rigs.
Hope this helps.

Kristonit

Thank you so much forbyour reply. I went back through all the fuses and turned out thst in the fuse box under the hood there are 3 very small fuses. One of the small 15 amp fuses was burnt. I ran to parts store and replaced the fuse. I kept my fingers crossed as i turned the key and it started !!!! Thank all of you so much for you help !!!! Kris.