This is my first post on the forum...
I purchased a 1990 4runner auto with the 3vze with a little over 200k and have been experiencing some problems with it. When i start it up there is a faint ticking/knocking noise coming from the rear right of the engine compartment. Upon putting into drive the noise becomes significantly louder (can hear it coming from the right side of the drivers floorboard) Sometimes when accelerating the noise will disappear completely only to come back when the transmission shifts or if i cease accelerating. Any ideas would be helpful.
It only throws the 52 code after i put it in drive and began accelerating.

 

I would like to add that this morning when i started it up it had a rough idle and begun to sputter. Goes away at exactly 2500 rpm... I have replaced TPS, MAF, ECM, Distributor, plugs, fluid...

 

have a look at your crank sensor (knock sensor) chech the wiring to the plug that connects to it they do corrode after a while and make a crap contact, failing that id check tappets (cam followers) they may need adjusting which is causing your rattling failing that id maybe start thinking bout big end bearings.

 

That's my mission of the weekend... Strip off intake plenum and all that fun stuff... Wish the knock sensor was easier to get to... Must of been designed by a junior engineer with a wet dream... I will post an update after the weekend...

 

agreed i know my lux was built by the worlds smallest japanease lad with the worlds smallest hands there are some things i just cant get to with fat finger.com if you need any help giz a shout if i can help on the other side of that big pond i will do.

 

The code 52 doesnt show up because the engine is knocking. It shows up because the ECM is not recieving the proper "backround noise". A specific frequency the ECM looks for during normal engine operation. If it does not recieve this signal it will retard your timming to its max value ( failsafe) causing poor running.

Check for open or short in the circuit, loose sensor. I have heard of others using shielded wire and grounding it at the ECM.

When the ECM senses knocking / pinging it does not throw a code it just retards the timing and affects the shifting on an auto trans.