HELP asap. truck not working it just cranking

K

Kev4runner

New member
So i started the 4runner and its just cranking it will not start, dad says maybe the gas aint going up. I know the fuel pump is inside the tank, is there another way to take out the fuel pump without removing the tank? , strip the back interior ?

or is there another cause to this? Lights all work just car wont start.

its a 1990 4runner btw
 
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hang on there, don't pull the pump just yet. pull a plug wire (if you have an extra spark plug put it in the end of the wire) leave it by a metal part of the engine and crank. you should see or hear it snapping as it sparks. if it doesn't work, you'll have a bad coil, ignition module, pickup, distributor etc that you will have to test and rule out good parts.

if you're getting spark, acquire starting fluid. remove intake hose at throttle body, open throttle and spray in. close throttle and try to start engine. if you get ANY more luck than you had before, replace the pump. actually try this test first.
 
mikebontoft said:
hang on there, don't pull the pump just yet. pull a plug wire (if you have an extra spark plug put it in the end of the wire) leave it by a metal part of the engine and crank. you should see or hear it snapping as it sparks. if it doesn't work, you'll have a bad coil, ignition module, pickup, distributor etc that you will have to test and rule out good parts.

if you're getting spark, acquire starting fluid. remove intake hose at throttle body, open throttle and spray in. close throttle and try to start engine. if you get ANY more luck than you had before, replace the pump. actually try this test first.
Click to expand...

alright right now im checking it and the fuel pump relay.
 
mikebontoft said:
hang on there, don't pull the pump just yet. pull a plug wire (if you have an extra spark plug put it in the end of the wire) leave it by a metal part of the engine and crank. you should see or hear it snapping as it sparks. if it doesn't work, you'll have a bad coil, ignition module, pickup, distributor etc that you will have to test and rule out good parts.

if you're getting spark, acquire starting fluid. remove intake hose at throttle body, open throttle and spray in. close throttle and try to start engine. if you get ANY more luck than you had before, replace the pump. actually try this test first.
Click to expand...

k so i did the the spark plug technique and its good, it does work, and we are getting spark. and i forgot to add in that my dad cleaned the MAF sensor, before all of that happened. when he cleaned it and put it back earlier the car wouldnt start, it wud be just cranking. any ideas?
 
Check for fuel pressure. Crack a fuel line on your fuel rail and have someone try to start the engine. It will be obvious if you have good fuel pressure because fuel will spray all over. If you're getting fuel, then check timing.

Are you getting a check engine light? It may be a bad sensor or a sensor not plugged in all the way too.
 
Also, go to your local parts store and rent a noid light set and test your injectors. Make sure they're firing. Check out the FSM, there is a task in there for testing the fuel injectors with the noid lights. Basically all you do is unplug the injectors and put the noid light on the plug. Try to start the engine, if the noid light blinks then you're getting a good signal to the injector.
 
mikebontoft said:
hang on there, don't pull the pump just yet. pull a plug wire (if you have an extra spark plug put it in the end of the wire) leave it by a metal part of the engine and crank. you should see or hear it snapping as it sparks. if it doesn't work, you'll have a bad coil, ignition module, pickup, distributor etc that you will have to test and rule out good parts.

if you're getting spark, acquire starting fluid. remove intake hose at throttle body, open throttle and spray in. close throttle and try to start engine. if you get ANY more luck than you had before, replace the pump. actually try this test first.
Click to expand...

also did the spray in technique and it kinda started then stop so i assume it is the fuel pump..
 
SV_Dude said:
Check for fuel pressure. Crack a fuel line on your fuel rail and have someone try to start the engine. It will be obvious if you have good fuel pressure because fuel will spray all over. If you're getting fuel, then check timing.

Are you getting a check engine light? It may be a bad sensor or a sensor not plugged in all the way too.
Click to expand...

alright ill check out that too.
 
SV_Dude said:
Also, go to your local parts store and rent a noid light set and test your injectors. Make sure they're firing. Check out the FSM, there is a task in there for testing the fuel injectors with the noid lights. Basically all you do is unplug the injectors and put the noid light on the plug. Try to start the engine, if the noid light blinks then you're getting a good signal to the injector.
Click to expand...

if that other technique doesnt work ill get on this too thanks for the help
 
Kev4runner said:
also did the spray in technique and it kinda started then stop so i assume it is the fuel pump..
Click to expand...

Kev4runner said:
if that other technique doesnt work ill get on this too thanks for the help
Click to expand...

Just because you have a fuel issue, it doesn't mean it's the fuel pump. It could be a bad/clogged fuel filter or the injectors could be having an issue which could make it an electrical issue. Try not to assume what the problem is, that can lead to very expensive and unnecessary repairs. Troubleshoot everything you can and narrow down the issue.
 
OK so you're not getting fuel then. youre more than welcome to test the relay. I think on these the fuel pump primes while you're cranking. if that's the case, turn the key to the on position and bump the starter real quick. you should hear the whine of the pump. if you don't, check the fuse and check the relay.

majority of the time its just the pump. if it is for you as well, make sure you replace the fuel filter as well. people don't realize it but if clogged, the filter puts a lot of strain on the pump until it dies.
 
SV_Dude said:
Just because you have a fuel issue, it doesn't mean it's the fuel pump. It could be a bad/clogged fuel filter or the injectors could be having an issue which could make it an electrical issue. Try not to assume what the problem is, that can lead to very expensive and unnecessary repairs. Troubleshoot everything you can and narrow down the issue.
Click to expand...

true true ... yeah checking out the filter.
 
mikebontoft said:
OK so you're not getting fuel then. youre more than welcome to test the relay. I think on these the fuel pump primes while you're cranking. if that's the case, turn the key to the on position and bump the starter real quick. you should hear the whine of the pump. if you don't, check the fuse and check the relay.

majority of the time its just the pump. if it is for you as well, make sure you replace the fuel filter as well. people don't realize it but if clogged, the filter puts a lot of strain on the pump until it dies.
Click to expand...

alright thanks ill get back to you when im done checking all those things
 
mikebontoft said:
hang on there, don't pull the pump just yet. pull a plug wire (if you have an extra spark plug put it in the end of the wire) leave it by a metal part of the engine and crank. you should see or hear it snapping as it sparks. if it doesn't work, you'll have a bad coil, ignition module, pickup, distributor etc that you will have to test and rule out good parts.

if you're getting spark, acquire starting fluid. remove intake hose at throttle body, open throttle and spray in. close throttle and try to start engine. if you get ANY more luck than you had before, replace the pump. actually try this test first.
Click to expand...

Kev4runner said:
k so i did the the spark plug technique and its good, it does work, and we are getting spark. and i forgot to add in that my dad cleaned the MAF sensor, before all of that happened. when he cleaned it and put it back earlier the car wouldnt start, it wud be just cranking. any ideas?
Click to expand...

Did your dad pull the MAF sensor to clean it? If so I'd highly recommend removing the air intake from the MAF to the EFI carb. Check to make sure there are no cracks that air can get it, and if it's good - make sure it's properly connected. Any cracks or gaps, and your engine will not fire.

I speak from experience, as this did happen to me out on the trail. Engine would crank, but not start. Checked the air intake, and found a large split/crack on the underside of the intake. After a quick trail fix using duct tape - she fired right up. I replaced the offending part with a new one, and haven't had a problem since.

This is the part I'm referring to.

main.JPG


My advice is to remove it, and make sure it's not dry rotted/cracked. Replace as needed - they run about $37.00 (plus or minus) dollars.

Keep us posted!
 
Kev4runner said:
So i started the 4runner and its just cranking it will not start, dad says maybe the gas aint going up. I know the fuel pump is inside the tank, is there another way to take out the fuel pump without removing the tank? , strip the back interior ?

or is there another cause to this? Lights all work just car wont start.

its a 1990 4runner btw
Click to expand...

Kev - don't leave us hanging. Did you get her started or what?

:confused:
 
I had a similar problem when I had a 90 4runner 3.0. It was the relay that crickets the pump. Verify that the pump works by testing it. If it does check that its getting power from the relay. Mine was so rusted it was way easier to run my own designated power to a relay to the pump and even added a toggle switch to the relay as a fuel cut off. Never had an issue after that and I spent hours and hours tracking it down. I believe it is a problem common to these trucks that see a lot of moisture. The afm sends a signal to a relay in the p side kick panel. Could be afm or relay. It was an easier bandaid or me to bypass it all together
 
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