85 4Runner cranks but won't start

[85Yota4Runner]

Hello, i'm new to this forum and I just purchased a 1985 Toyota 4Runner with the 22RE! When I bought it, it was running:help: and then I changed the alternator, battery and now ECU. It will crank for days but just won't turn over. It seems like when I go to try and start the vehicle the fuel pump doesn't turn on, therefore no fuel is being sent to the engine. The fuel pump was also just recently replaced, and we have verified that it still works. We have also tried the jump wire test and the relay for that is still good. All the fuses are all good as well. I really don't know where to turn to now. Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

P.S. I forgot to mention, after it sits a while and I go to try to start it, it will start for a second or so and cut off.

 

[KidVermicious]

Congrats on the new truck! I would have made sure the pump was bad before replacing it, but maybe that's just me.

Let's make sure you've got a fuel issue before you do anything else. You jumped the Circuit Open Relay and it still doesn't start? Does the fuel pump have 12v with the test port jumpered and the key in the On position? Which terminals did you jump? Crack the fuel line on the engine side of the fuel filter, do you have fuel pressure? What happens if you spray a bunch of starter fluid past the air filter and then try and start the truck?

 

[85Yota4Runner]

Thanks for the quick response. Luckily I didn't change the fuel pump, the previous owner did. Went out to the 4Runner and checked for 12v at the fuel pump and what do you know its only getting about 9v with and without the jumper cable installed. Also, with the jumper cable installed I put the key to the on position and I did not hear any click from the relay or the fuel pump turn on. Would a bad relay cause the fuel pump not to get 12v? In the mean time, i'll keep checking for 12v in other places. Thanks!

 

[KidVermicious]

It's probably not the Circuit Open Relay. For one, if you're really jumping the right port, the COR is bypassed, and two, it's pretty much on or off. If there's weak power getting through, that doesn't sound like the COR.

4Crawler has my go-to info for 22RE fuel and starting issues. If you haven't found his web page yet, check it out. Start reading here: Toyota 4Runner and Pickup: Cheap Tricks, and keep reading through the TDCC and Circuit Open Relay sections.

Dumb question maybe, but is the battery fully charged? What condition are the ground straps in?

 

[85Yota4Runner]

Went back out today and messed with it a little more this morning. Checked for 12v in multiple places, disconnected grounds and cleaned them, and disconnected and reconnected plugs. Finally got it to start! Now my problem is, the same problem I had before when I bought it. The problem now is when the engine is running and I go to turn the headlights on and the engine stalls. So I'm guessing probably wiring somewhere. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Fixitinboca]

Not being an expert in the 4runner myself, I would suggest the basics first. check the battery posts, and then the connections down line from there. the ground to the body could be suspect. Also if your battery is weak, and you have a failing alternator, it may be a possibility? Check the battery voltage when you are idling and then what happens to that voltage when you turn on your lights.

 

[85Yota4Runner]

Finally got the headlights to work without stalling the engine. It happened to be a small grounding wire from the positive side of the battery to the fender. Connected the grounding wire from the + side of the battery back to the fender and the headlights worked! Now I have another small problem. Whenever I go to start the engine when its been sitting or (cold start), it takes about 3 tries before it starts up. When the engine is warm it starts perfectly normal. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[RAD4Runner]

As suggested above did you check battery voltage?

Double-check ALL your connections? Don't just look. Take them apart and make sure you have shiny metal contacting shiny metal. Gray or brown metal in not good connection.

...with the jumper cable installed I put the key to the on position and I did not hear any click from the relay or the fuel pump turn on. Would a bad relay cause the fuel pump not to get 12v? In the mean time, i'll keep checking for 12v in other places. Thanks!

Putting ignition in ON position will not make C.O.R. click. Putting key in START position will.

Chased down where you lost the 12 supposed to go to the fuel pump?
Checked to make sure you got 12V at supply side of main EFI relay in kick panel near driver's foot? is EFI relay properly seated? When EFI relay is on (Ignition on) do you get 12Volts?

... It happened to be a small grounding wire from the positive side of the battery to the fender. Connected the grounding wire from the + side of the battery back to the fender and the headlights worked...

??? Positive of the battery to fender ground? And you did not get sparks all over the place? Gotta consult with someone before you do anything or else you could do more damage...

When the engine is warm it starts perfectly normal. Any ideas? Thanks!

Is this consistent? Absolutely at all times?