2000 4runner won't start

[ylimor]

I have a 2000 4runner with 3.4 6 cyl. engine. For the last few weeks it has intermittently not started but once started it ran fine. Now it won't start at all. I have replaced the battery fuel filter and air filter. I checked fuel pressure under the hood and pressure is good. When I pulled a plug it was bone dry. With as much cranking that I have done it should have had some gas there. So I know the fuel line is bringing fuel past the filter with good pressure.
where do I go next?

 

[Kenworth]

Security system , try a diff key ? Keys are encoded so if you got a new key cut , no start

 

[amalik]

Welcome to The NEW EricTheCarGuy! - Eric The Car Guy- Stay Dirty!

 

[ylimor]

The starter engages and the motor is turning. Would a copied key turn the engine but not send fuel to the cylinders? I month ago my wife's key would not unlock the steering wheel but mine did. Hers looked like it somehow got a groove in it so I gave her mine and made a copy. It seems to have problems with both keys but the copy does seem to have a more consistent trouble streak. It has started with both before.

 

[ylimor]

Could something in the ignition switch intermittently not work with my original keys? I have read that the wafers in the mechanism break over time and don't match up with your key. Would the starter engage and the motor turn if that is true?

 

[Buckaroo]

It has to be one of four things: air, fuel spark or compression.


Buckaroo

 

[Kenworth]

I bought a 99 limited with factory alarm awhile back with a bad motor,while i was replacing motor wife got some extra keys made.needless to say I pulled my
Hair out trying to get that car started.would crank fine but no start . It dawned on me one day while jacking with it to try original key started up fine, what a pain in the ass.

 

[Smog-guy707]

It has to be one of four things: air, fuel spark or compression.


Buckaroo

what he said.:clap2:

you are not getting one of those four.

 

[541joseph]

Security system , try a diff key ? Keys are encoded so if you got a new key cut , no start

Only limited models are encoded and only 99 and later

 

[ylimor]

Yea I know fuel,air,etc. that is why I changed fuel filter checked fuel pump and pressure and found fuel was not getting delivered to engine somewhere past fuel filter. The fact that it works with the original key but not a copy is where the question of the key sending power to starter and fuel control separately comes from. I pulled the ignition assembly and will get it rekeyed tomorrow. I have read that the wafers break or get dirty and that can effect the key operation.

I am just puzzled that the key will operate starter and fuel pump but may also send power to fuel control in engine separately.

 

[ylimor]

Mine is a 2000 Limited so it may be a key issue.

 

[Kenworth]

Have you verified spark while cranking motor? If it's encoded key issue you will see maybe one spark when you first crank but as engine continues to crank
There will be no spark , ECM will cut power to igniters ,it's a pain in the butt factory alarm issue

 

[Kenworth]

There are writes ups on this forums about issues with factory alarm,encoded keys.
we did get a spare key made with code copied to new key at hard ware store
Lots of money? Like 60.00 bucks

 

[ylimor]

It was the key. Copied key did not have chip. There is an antenna where you insert your key that senses the chip. Original key worked fine. I had both in the car previously and that is what threw me off. It was sensing my original key even though I was using the copy. When original was not in the car no signal to ECM.
Lesson learned. Starter will engage and fuel pump will pump with any key but ECM will not be powered without chipped key.