89 only starts cold if you pull start

[fxfourever]

Hey Everyone,

I just bought a 89 4runner with a manual trans and the 4 cyl 22R-E engine and I am having some odd ignition problems. I haven't been able to find a similar problem on the forum so I was hoping someone might have some ideas.

When I brought my truck home the temperature was in the -30s C, the only way I could start the truck was to pull start it. Once the engine temperature comes up to operating temperature I can shut the truck off and it will start like a dream. It has been like this since I bought it.

Just today the temperature went up to 6 C outside so I decided to give it another try, no luck. When the engine was cold there was no spark produced. I pull started the truck and let the engine warm up and checked for spark. when turning the engine over with the plug removed and grounded I didn't get a spark. I re-installed the plug and started the truck, with the truck running I pulled one of the spark plug cables off and it was sparking strong.

I can't understand why the truck will not start when it is cold but will pull start and run like a top when warm. the temperature outside hasn't broken +10 C so I don't know if this problem will go away in the summer.

I would appreciate ANY ideas you folks might have,
Thanks!

 

[fourwd1]

... When I brought my truck home the temperature was in the -30s C, the only way I could start the truck was to pull start it. ..

Damn, I bet that tires you out fast. But I guess it's better than back in the 1920's when you had to hand crank an engine to start it. How do you start it if the rope breaks?

 

[CAN-03runner]

Does it crank? Any clicking from the starter? What about a single click from around behind the glove box? Do you have a clutch start cancel button on your dash, left side near steering wheel? Battery voltage should be above 12v. does it start if you jump start from another battery in another car or booster pack?

Check out the click no start threads in the stickes. Or search for click no start. There is a procedure to jump the solenoid to test the starter. There is also a procedure to loosen it up, call tap the starter with a stick.

 

[fxfourever]

oops, sorry that is important information. It turns over strong and the starter engages just wont start until I warm up the engine to operating temperature. There is a clutch button, I have tired it using the button and the old fashion way (pushing the clutch in).

Yesterday someone suggested to me it might be a problem with the "ignition sequence" for example, the starter may not be sending the proper signal to the coil to feed the distributor. I will admit I don't know how the ignition system is set up in this truck but is there a solenoid in the starter that sends current to the coil when you turn it over?

fourwd1,
I guess I have good endurance.

 

[giro]

Take a look at the Factory Service Manual (FSM). In my '92 set, for the 22R-E engine it lists 14 things for "No initial combustion" and 11 for "Difficult to start in cold". This is on page EM-4.

Personally I would have probably started with the cold start system, but for "in cold" it says the first 5 things to check are the Water temp sensor circuit, STA Signal Circuit, Fuel Quality, Idle Speed Control Valve, and then the Cold Start System.

If you don't yet have an FSM, buy one, buy a pass to download pages from Toyota, or download one using the links at the top of the forum.

 

[fxfourever]

Thanks Giro, I will look into that.

 

[fxfourever]

found the issue

I never really got around to updating this post. turned out it was the distributor sending unit. took one off my parts truck and it starts like a dream now.

 

[MacGyver1979]

good to know, iv been looking for my pull string