Is my Runner going to Die?

[NickP]

Here is a list of my problems, would appreciate some feedback and suggestions.
1: When I get up to around 50 I get a vibration and loud noise in the front end, also the speedometer vibrates a little. Then when I go to slowdown the vibration gets very loud and rough.

2: I'm getting a rattling noise coming from inside the dashboard when I get past 20MPH, the noise gets louder as I go faster.

3: Engine light has been coming on and off lately, I also notices when the engine is idling it's very up and down.

Well, that's it so far, if anyone has had these problems how did you go about fixing them? What was the cost and Is it possible to do it yourself? Thanks.

 

[PolkManiac]

How about a little background info?

A little more info would be helpful.

What year model do you have?
Which engine does it have?
How many miles?
Have you done all the regularly scheduled maintenance items?

That'll help us get started...

 

[Hank]

I'm assuming you have a 1st or 2nd gen 4R as you posted this thread in Classic T4Rs. I can't help you out with the noise coming from the front end, but the noise behind the dash, may or may not be the speedometer motor gone bad. My buddy has a 2nd gen ('95) 4R and had it replaced once at ~70k mi and now at 108k, the speedo motor is going bad again. It makes a grinding/vibrating noise between certain speed (i.e. 35-60mph). His dad is a mechanic and knows what is up.

 

[NickP]

My runner is a 95 V6 4WD.

 

[Red3.slow]

What maintenance have you done to the car.

 

[Bill42]

ah hell, I thought this was an existential question...

 

[NickP]

As far as maintnance I have had

1 radiator drained and refilled

2 oil change

3 new ball joints, pitman arm, and idler arm

has 112,000 miles on it, bought it used.

 

[captwalker87]

Here is a list of my problems, would appreciate some feedback and suggestions.
1: When I get up to around 50 I get a vibration and loud noise in the front end, also the speedometer vibrates a little. Then when I go to slowdown the vibration gets very loud and rough.

2: I'm getting a rattling noise coming from inside the dashboard when I get past 20MPH, the noise gets louder as I go faster.

3: Engine light has been coming on and off lately, I also notices when the engine is idling it's very up and down.

Well, that's it so far, if anyone has had these problems how did you go about fixing them? What was the cost and Is it possible to do it yourself? Thanks.

By best guesses:

1: Driveshafts loose, missing bolts, unbalanced; U-Joints dry or going out.

2: Speedometer control motor.

3: Clean your throttle body.

Try or look at those things first, then repost.

 

[genlrony]

My runner ran very rough when I got it. lucky for me it was just a matter of changing the spark plugs and it smoothed right out but. As for your symptons I would say speedo motor and CVs probly

 

[Sidney]

About half of the ECU codes stored on the first & second generation EFI Toyotas don't show a constant blinking check engine light therefore you must pull the ECU codes to see if a fault is registered.

To pull the ECU codes:

All 1980-1995 and including 1995 EFI equipped vehicle allow you to find engine and related faults by pulling the ECU (computer) codes without the need for a handheld OBDII diagnosis scanner,the sites listed below have the fault codes needed to pull the codes and the instructions on how to do it:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-36.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-53.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-71.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/ts/obd-i/bl-dtcs-90.htm
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/index.html
http://lcengineering.com/TechNotes/TechNote12.htm
http://lcengineering.com/TechNotes/TechNote13.htm
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Pit/9975/dataBySubject/Engine.html
http://www.mad-mechanic.com/toyota/toyotaobd.shtml#obtaincode
http://www.freewebs.com/th3duke/22RE-ECU.mht
http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota
http://members.igateway.net/~pscott/enginecodes.html
http://www.autobook.co.kr/data_links/toyota_trouble_codes.htm
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h27.pdf
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/info/manuals/1KZ-TE/Page0096.htm
http://www.efisakh.narod.ru/at_toyota.htm
http://www.usatransdoctor.com/foreigntoyota.htm

Pulling the ECU codes is the first thing I do to diagnosis a problem thereafter I reset the ECU to see if the same problems show up and if so I then take voltage measurements both with the engine running and not and compare with the factory service manual,I also close the ignition switch after a cold engine and also after a warm engine and compare them with the factory service manual.This technique will completely isolate your problem without having to do trial and error and it is the technique I use when repairing tv's,vcr's,home/car audio.

Sidney

 

[brick privy]

when did toyota start using speedometer "motors"? my '89 p'up had the same dash noise but mine had a good old speedometer cable. it was a pretty easy fix, took about an hour. BTW your supposed to lube these cables once in a while. if i remember right, you can disconect the tranny end and pull out the guts to lube it.