I've got an 88 4Runner, and been having this problem since June and it has been getting progressively worse till now and it will not even start.

Truck ran fine until back in June 07 i did a little fourwheeling and sprayed off the engine off to clean it up when i got home.

For what ever reason maybe once or 2 times a week it would have trouble starting taking 4 or 5 turns of the key to get it started and the check engine light would stay on for a little while and it would idle real low. After the thermostat kicks in at about 195 degrees it runs great and starts up with no problems on the 1st turn of the key.

The code i am getting is 14 Ignition Signal. I've put in New Spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, ignition coil, and ignitor. No luck. Still had the problem and just have been dealing with it. Last week the problem got worse. Sunday it took the longest it ever took to start it up, prob about 10 -12 turns of the key, drove it 1 block and it stalled, took another 8 turns of the key to start, this happen prob about 4 times and then finally it warmed up and ran fine. Monday ran fine and started with no problems. Tuesday I was out and had the same problem of 10 - 12 turns and stalling every block for 4 blocks stalling even while driving 30 -40 mph and still in gear. Made it home and now I've tried to start it and won't start.

when i turn the key, it is like it starts for 1/2 a second and then dies immediately. sometimes it will run for about 2 seconds and then die. I was reading through some of the other forums on this site and everything seemed to be pointing to the cold start injector switch, so i disconnected the connector and it just kept cranking with no results. then i hooked up a wire from the negative side of the battery to the connector of the cold start injector switch and it acted as it was before i disconnected the switch where it would seem to start for 1/2 a second and die.

Any help would be great or ideas. Really don't want to get it towed somewhere, and would rather fix it myself, but i'm running out of ideas, and don't really know where to go from here.

 

when did you last replace the fuel filter?

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...e-14-a-130369/

 

I've never replaced the fuel filter, but would the temp of the engine have an effect on the fuel filter?

 

no. i've seen plugged filters that let enough gas by to start, and maybe run, then plug. once they sit and pressure is relieved a bit, they start, and run . . . . .
if you did a lot of offroading recently, could of freed up crap in the tank, it gets to the filter--but i'm guessing here. i'm one to start solving problems cheap.

 

If you're getting a code why dont you try to diagnose the code...hint hint. look at the thread i posted above.

you might have low fuel pressure, but thats not gunna throw a code 14. fix the codes first, and see where that leaves you.

or just throw parts, time, and $$$ at it untill you fix the problem by accident

 

what is the temp out where you live here in mass my 4runner wont start with a paryer when it is below 50 because the cold start injector is bad maybe look into that as a next part replace ment it is on he left side of the engine conected to the air intake not hard to see assuming you have the 3.0 it is about 130$ new make sure it is pluged in first maybie it got jared lose let me k now how it turns out

 

oops, sorry, i misread.

 

Focusing on the code that it is throwing at me everything is pointing to the ECU. If I'm going to replace this any upgrades that i might be able to replace my ecu with?

 

bump...bump

 

Wait on your ecu . I would check your distributor. Check your pick-up coil in the distributor for resistance. and check your air gap.http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-b...13distribu.pdf

 

if its your ignition signal, then why are you focussing on your ECU? id say you have a ignition switch thats goin bad. also id clean out your MAF, it sounds like its not getting proper air-to-fuel. just my .02. and if theres anything i missed, gimme a break, its 5:13am and i just woke up 15 minutes ago.

 

It ended up being the ecu, replaced it, $350 later and it works now. Thanks for all the help!

 

wow, it is pretty rare that the ECU's actully go out. (unless you get them wet or beat on them)

People like to replace them because for some reason if they can't figure out the problem fast enough they just assume that it is something like the ECU. But of the 5 people i know who replaced the ECU none of them solved the problem.

Congrats