3vz problems. wow

D

drewtcook

New member
hey,
so I've had my awesome 4runner now for about 4 months. I picked a 93 with a 3vz for 2k. It has ran fine with no problems yet, but recently I've been having some really weird problems and after about a hour of googling there is no answer. So, my engine ran fine until about a week ago when i had a massive drop in power i could feel. I had to drive it home only 2 more blocks then it ran fine when i started it up the next morning. now, i can feel it struggling of what i guess is until around 2,000 rpms. (rpm gauge broken) Then suddenly gets to life instantly and has power again. After about driving for 20-30 min the check engine light will go on and the car goes into hardcore limp mode. Ill check the code but the engine light just keeps flashing, and the car won't start. Ill pull the positive wire and drain the power to reset the ecu and the check engine light will be gone and my car will drive fine.
any idea's?
I've checked the spark plugs, ignition, injectors
replcaed air box, battery, and mac less then a month ago
 
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^^^agreed! An easy way to tell if a TPS is bad is unplugging it while the truck is running and if the idle gets better or the motor sounds better it is probably one of the problems (you wont be able to drive it unplugged). Make sure the TPS is in spec too. Go ahead and clear the codes and then drive again for 15mins or so and then try and pull them again.

Good luck
 
Last edited:
Hyde802 said:
Lets start with those CEL codes, your truck is trying to tell you whats wrong!
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i was trying to get the code but the light kept one blinking. i got to 200 before i stopped. then we cleared the code and it came on 30 min laters and didn't stop blinking again
 
drewtcook said:
i was trying to get the code but the light kept one blinking. i got to 200 before i stopped. then we cleared the code and it came on 30 min laters and didn't stop blinking again
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I am not trying to sound like that guy and I hope you dont take offence but you are crossing the terminals at t-e1? key in on position but engine not running? all accessories off?

If so was it a consistent flash with maybe less than a second in between flashes?
 
Hyde802 said:
Constant flash is no codes. hmmmm
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I have a feeling if the flashes are consistent and there is no codes, that the ECU is bad. Seen it before but on a ford explorer with the OBD2. Plug in the reader and nothing happened. The engine light was on and the car ran so weird I tell you what! I dont know if obd1 is different in bad ECU regards but its what I have seen with the symptoms given.
 
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91'4bee said:
I am not trying to sound like that guy and I hope you dont take offence but you are crossing the terminals at t-e1? key in on position but engine not running? all accessories off?

If so was it a consistent flash with maybe less than a second in between flashes?
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well guy, thats how i did it and why I'm confused. never had a delay in flashes, and I thought constant meant no codes. but whenever the check engine light comes on the car runs differently
 
drewtcook said:
well guy, thats how i did it and why I'm confused. never had a delay in flashes, and I thought constant meant no codes. but whenever the check engine light comes on the car runs differently
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Ok. Sorry I wasn't trying to offend you in any way but I just wanted to make sure. Your right though that when consistent there are no codes...Like I said in another post your ECU might be bad if the light is on but no codes come from it.
 
91'4bee said:
Ok. Sorry I wasn't trying to offend you in any way but I just wanted to make sure. Your right though that when consistent there are no codes...Like I said in another post your ECU might be bad if the light is on but no codes come from it.
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ok well thanks for all the help i wasn't trying to be rude. quick update however. The car has fixed itself. Haven't had a problem driving it for 2 days now. starts every time without a problem and runs fine. no lack of power, or any of the engine problems from before. Im having a problem with the tail lights however. it keeps blowing the fuse. This usually means a bad ground right? Some of my friends mentioned these problems from the engine could also come from a fuel issue. so ,my question is having a bad ground in the back could that effect the fuel pump? also the rear left window has been acting weird. it works fine with both front and rear switch. Then won't do anything from either randomly for a couple of hours then it'll work fine. doubt these have the same cause of problem but just want some opinions.
thanks for all the help so far
 
drewtcook said:
ok well thanks for all the help i wasn't trying to be rude. quick update however. The car has fixed itself. Haven't had a problem driving it for 2 days now. starts every time without a problem and runs fine. no lack of power, or any of the engine problems from before. Im having a problem with the tail lights however. it keeps blowing the fuse. This usually means a bad ground right? Some of my friends mentioned these problems from the engine could also come from a fuel issue. so ,my question is having a bad ground in the back could that effect the fuel pump? also the rear left window has been acting weird. it works fine with both front and rear switch. Then won't do anything from either randomly for a couple of hours then it'll work fine. doubt these have the same cause of problem but just want some opinions.
thanks for all the help so far
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Hmmm that does sound electrical. Hopefully there isnt a mouse or something chewin on wires. Check the grounds and check the battery grounding as well. Test with a probe on wires and stuff. I hate electrical because it can be anywhere and with tight, mass amounts of wire on a car it gets old fast.

Good luck
 
You could give the engine compartment a good inspection at night time and look for a short....move you plug wires around and see if one has a pinhole in it, possibly arcing against something...sounds ( to me ) like it's starving for fuel. Try a fuel filter swap, cheap and just another thing to check off of the 'it's not that' list. Good luck to you. Oh and also could always try an ohm reading on the fuel pump wires connector?
 
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