Anyone in Orange County want to help?

[OCMike]

So, my truck decided to lose power today. It was running fine, until I came to a stop, and the engine light came on. I lost power, I could accelerate very slowly. I was able to limp home. If I pressed too hard on the pedal, it would bog down. After I made it home, I found that it was throwing codes 24 & 31. I have no idea how to fix these, and don't want to take it to a mechanic. I figure they'll want to charge me a ton of money to fix it.
What I'm asking is if anyone in the OC area (near Tustin) has some free time to stop by and help me fix it. More like, show me how to fix it. I'll buy lunch or whatever. A case of beer, anything. I just would like to see how to fix it and learn.

A few additions to my problem:
I was able to slowly accelerate up to 40 mph. I think I might be able to get up to highway speeds. Just haven't tested. Also, there was a slight burning smell. Not rubber or plastic, more like a metal or carbon smell. I suspected my that my catalytic converter crapped out. Not sure how to test for that though.

 

[541joseph]

You probably have a vacuum leak.

But completely off topic is your avitar picture your truck?

 

[OCMike]

But completely off topic is your avitar picture your truck?

Yep. I flopped it up at Pilot Rock. Made a rookie mistake while trying to go down a hill that I shouldn't have.

 

[541joseph]

Haha I saw it being flipped back over on YouTube. Can't believe how little damage there was. Sorry I can't help more and hijacked your thread but good luck with getting it fixed!

 

[TacoRunner13]

so, my truck decided to lose power today. It was running fine, until i came to a stop, and the engine light came on. I lost power, i could accelerate very slowly. I was able to limp home. If i pressed too hard on the pedal, it would bog down. After i made it home, i found that it was throwing codes 24 & 31. I have no idea how to fix these, and don't want to take it to a mechanic. I figure they'll want to charge me a ton of money to fix it.
What i'm asking is if anyone in the oc area (near tustin) has some free time to stop by and help me fix it. More like, show me how to fix it. I'll buy lunch or whatever. A case of beer, anything. I just would like to see how to fix it and learn.

you can google those codes to see what they really mean

 

[541joseph]

You could also have a bad fuel pump which you can check to make sure the pressure is right.

 

[TacoRunner13]

so

you can google those codes to see what they really mean

so looked online and found possible that code 24 is your air intake temp sensor and code 31 is your air flow meter/circuit . assuming your truck is a 93. hope this helps.

 

[OCMike]

so looked online and found possible that code 24 is your air intake temp sensor and code 31 is your air flow meter/circuit . assuming your truck is a 93. hope this helps.

I googled the codes also. I just don't have the tools or knowledge on how to fix it. That's why I'm putting out the call for help.

 

[giro]

Also, there was a slight burning smell. Not rubber or plastic, more like a metal or carbon smell. I suspected my that my catalytic converter crapped out. Not sure how to test for that though.

The problem shouldn't be the catalytic converter.

In our trucks there's no sensors behind the catalytic converter, so as long as it's giving about the right back pressure (i.e. not plugged or disconnected) the cat shouldn't matter much as far as running. OTOH, it is an essential part for passing a smog test.

Hopefully someone local has time. You can start with checking all the connections for air from the air filter to the throttle body (back of the engine, that your throttle cable is connected to). And make sure the air filter is cleanish, vacuum it a bit if you can.

The intake air sensor is part of the Air Flow Meter too (the big thing right at where the air filter is). If you're lucky, maybe that just isn't plugged in all the way. Or maybe a wire got nicked or something.

Basically the air sensor tells the computer how much air is coming in so that it can give the right amount of fuel. Part of that is also the air temp, since colder air is denser.

I haven't tried it on my 4runner (common trick to get home on a problematic 3000gt), but it should be drivable if you unplug that whole thing. It's not ideal since the computer wouldn't have info from the sensors, so it would be just using the defaults. But if you had to limp home, or make a quick run to a salvage yard, it should be possible.

 

[OCMike]

The intake air sensor is part of the Air Flow Meter too (the big thing right at where the air filter is). If you're lucky, maybe that just isn't plugged in all the way. Or maybe a wire got nicked or something.

You are Awesome! The problem was the plug. I had forgotten that I sorta broke it a while back, and now, it doesn't lock into place. I need to glue it or duct tape it now.

 

[giro]

You are Awesome! The problem was the plug. I had forgotten that I sorta broke it a while back, and now, it doesn't lock into place. I need to glue it or duct tape it now.

Cool! It's great when it turns out to be an easy solution!

But dude, where's the love? Click on that "Like" link already, and keep the 6 pack of beer for yourself