Suggestions Anyone? '02 4runner, 6 cylinder. Owner replaced timing belt/water pump kit. He's not a mechanic but says he followed every step and took his time. He's a smart guy, a chemist.
He was in no hurry and the car was down for some time.
Afterwards car would crank but not start. He grew disillusioned, it sat for a couple of years. He bought a new 4 runner and gave the '02 to me for free. I had it towed to my house, yesterday.
Things I suspect might mean something about what's wrong: No check engine light symbol shows up with key on. No tach movement when cranking. I haven't checked spark as I believe there will be no spark if the computer doesn't detect crank rotation (?)
Any suggestions on where to start? I have an '03 but have never had engine problems. All my experience has been on vintage muscle cars.
Any suggestions appreciated.

Bill in Oregon

If the rpm gauge isn’t moving while cranking then there is a problem with the crankshaft position sensor. Most likely the sensor is unplugged or the connector isn’t fully seated.

Engine ran > work was done > engine doesn’t run.

Seems pretty likely something wasn’t done right. A tooth could have gotten broken off the crank sprocket, or the cam sensor could be unplugged, or the timing was never set up right, or he also did valve covers and didnt reattach the plenum ground, just to name a couple easy options.

I also want to appreciate the irony: he’s a chemist, a smart guy. But he let’s a $10,000 vehicle sit for 2 years and gives it away. Hmmm….

I would figure this the hell out if I were you. That’s a gold mine.

+1 with the crank tooth sprocket. Your biggest PITA will be getting three crank bolt loose.

I once witnessed a guy at a convenient store off I95 pouring antifreeze on his BMW engine. I told him that wasn’t where it was supposed to go. He told me “Don’t worry I am an engineer”. Well of course he was so I walked away in amazement.

Some folks can be extremely book smart and at the same time absolutely no common sense. He is a non mechanical engineer. That's for sure

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No rpm us a dead giveaway that some thing is up with the crank sensor or sprocket +2 on that circuit. No rpm. No fuel pump activation.

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Very much interested in how this turns out. I know that lack of tach bounce is a classic indicator of crankshaft position sensor inop - but not on all vehicles. Somewhere in the back of my head I think this was not the case on the 3.4L V6 in my 3rd gen. Have moved on to a 4th gen so can't confirm it....those of you saying it's the case, have you tested it?

If the Crank position sensor not working it will not throw the fuel pump relay on. No rpm. Dead engine on a 3rd gen v6 .

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He also mentioned no check engine light………….

Do you have a scanner? Preferably one that can read live data…..


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Don't worry I am an engineer!

HAHAHAHA!

OK...but do you normally get a tach bounce when starting? That is my question (and a line of inquiry for the OP). Is the absence of a tach bounce on the 3rd gen an indication that there is a problem with the crank position sensor (or wiring/associated gizmos)? Somebody try this and confirm it.

Yes. RPM gauge will show rpm's while cranking. OP stated that the rpm gauge doesn't move when starting/cranking.