Newbie with new to me problems

[Some1esle]

I just bought a used 95 limited v6 from Bob Howard in Olahoma City, Yesterday. I purchased it "AS IS" and it turns out it's a project. I love 4Runners, and the 92 - 95 body style. So now I have a project. It was said to be in great condition, and most of the cosmetics are. As I'm driving it back to south central Arkansas on the, worst day of the year as far as weather goes, The check engine light comes on. It's only doing it at like 65 mph to 67mph. I figure it's a 12 years old car, no problem. I stop for gas, check the oil and all. I read no oil on the stick... It takes three quarts. I notice as I get back in that there are wires hanging under the dash. So I start to inspect:
The ECT button does nothing to effect the operation.
It seem the wiring harness took a botched stereo install, removal, and then install again at the dealership...
Then about the time I get to Paris texas the check engine light is coming on more often, and the trans feels like slipping into a lower gear, then back and forth between 45mph and 70mph. I check the trans fluid again and it seems good. I'm thinking that the wiring harness has something to do with it.
When I get home I find that some of the electrical items are intermittent, and the brake lights do not work...
Any Ideas? Am I going in the right direction with the problem... BTW I see this a an opprtunity to restore a very nice 4Runner to it's origional beauty, plus do some custoizing on the way, and/or even make it better than origional.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Some1esle]

I removed the brake light fuse, and checked it. It was a little melted on the plastic, and I put it back in and the lights work. I replaced it with a new one...
More info- The thing is very hard to start when starting from cold... like it's not getting any gas. I loosened the rubber intake from the injector. open the butterfly, and sprayed about a 1 second shot of starting fluid in just to see, since it is unseasonably cold yesterday. It started ran out the starting fluild and quit. It shot it again, then re attached the intake hose. Started, and tried to die. I pumped the gas it stayed running. then same as before with the rest.
Anyone?
Now I'm thinking bad cold start switch, and/or oxygen, mixture, fuel pressure sensors?

 

[mikes4runner]

If you are still getting a CEL I would pull the code and see what it says. If it is hard to start it could be anything from the cold start injector to bad fuel pump to fuel filter etc, you get the idea.

With the intake tube removed it will never run because of the MAF(Mass airflow sensor). thats why it would die right away.

3 qts down is not good she only holds 5qts.

Tranny slipping you did check with it running in park right?



Mike

 

[Some1esle]

Bad cold start switch/sensor.

Yep three qts.. I know..


Yep, running in park is how I checked it.
I'm going to go through everything this saturday... Trans fuild change, oil change (flush, filter, and AMSOil), Transfer, front and rear differentials.. All fliuds. Radiator flush, and coolant change. New busch platum +4 plugs...


I took it to the local dealer, they ran it on the OBII ($65) found bad cold start switch. New cold start switch installed $340.90. Will get it back tomorrow.
BTW, JC Whitney has the OBII for $99. I've already purchased my own... Can't afford to many more Sensor replacements for $340. I can get most sensors for like $100, and install myself..


Thanks for the reply

 

[Some1esle]

So, Today I get it back. It seems that it was the cold start switch. The thing ran really bad after the change at first... It seemed that the cold start switch will flood the hell out of your engine if it goes bad... After about 35 miles ,a couple start ups, and the thing flooding and dieing a couple times it gets better... I look around in the engine compartment, and find that the air box is missing a latch... So, I say wow! I actually say WOW! that must be screwing with the air mixture... So a couple wire ties to hold it closed tight and no more of the origonal problems for like 3 hours of starting and stopping driving around town, to dinner, to the store to out on the highway... Seems to be good... I'm still going to change all the fluids front to rear tomorrow. just becouse when you buy a vehicle and the situation is the same as I've had it makes sense. I also discussed the wire harness under the dash with the toyota mech and I believe that it will be a good idea for the mech to clean it up to stock just to restore the wiring to not butchered... That way when I put electronics in it it will be stock. I intend to put a good stereo, security system w/keyless entry and keyless rear window up down for cargo area access.
Anyway, I'll post any further problems with this project...

 

[Some1esle]

Turns out it was the Engine Coolant Temp switch... I ran the diag last night and got the 22 code. Looked at the ECT Switch, and it was total broken off.

Thanks everyone one for all the help..

 

[trd_style]

that's where i got my 4runner also! but i bought mine new in '97 so it worked fine. hope the problem get straighten out.

 

[Some1esle]

that's where i got my 4runner also! but i bought mine new in '97 so it worked fine. hope the problem get straighten out.

Yep. straightened out. The $27 part that was not a problem up there..... But was covered with dust and corrosion when I changed it... I called and asked the Monday after I got back from picking it up, what they had seen wrong, and Kyle (Used car Manager) said nothing, and that they had ran it through the computer and everything...But I remember them being really ready to sell it..

Anyway, problem solved. I still got a great deal on a sweet 2nd gen , but I got the feeling the Dealer wasn't very honest about disclosure and could have handed me the title but I'm still waiting to receive it 2 weeks plus later...