Please help, 2001 4runner won't start

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huntercw2003

New member
Today was extremely rainy. Not sure if that has anything to do with this but I drove it to the store and when I tried to start it up to leave it would only crank. Plenty juice to crank just wouldnt start. Its a 2001 4wd v6 automatic T4R. My friend and I have already verified the fuel pump relay and throttle positions sensor is good. We checked for a signal at the fuel pump and nothing. When I turn the key on all lights in the console light up except the check engine light. We're thinking it could possibly be a broken ECM/ECU. I have already taken out the ECM to see if there were any signs of damage. Nothing. Also looked for any signs of a leak into the cab. Nothing. All was dry. I did spray some starter fluid in the intake and the truck will start but dies soon after. Has anyone ever delt with this before and possibly know what could be the culprit? If it is the ECM, are other ECM's compatible or do I need to replace it with the exact same one?
 
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No check engine light when you turn the key on could be the ECM, I had the exact issue with my lex swapped 4runner (sc400 ecm) Usually means the ecm has a bad circuit that wont send the power to close the efi relay. Check for 12vdc at the coil side of the relay when key on, if it's not there, it could be your ecm or a bad wire from ecm. Then you could try jumping the switch side of the efi relay with key on and see if the engine light comes on. if it does, you can probably start and drive it temporarily, but you will need an ecu repair/replacement. Don't leave the jumper in there after your done moving it or whatever.

if 12vdc is there, could be a bad relay listen for it should click when you turn the key on. Check this first and we can go from there.

https://www.taninautoelectronix.com
 
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alanflies said:
No check engine light when you turn the key on could be the ECM, I had the exact issue with my lex swapped 4runner (sc400 ecm) Usually means the ecm has a bad circuit that wont send the power to close the efi relay. Check for 12vdc at the coil side of the relay when key on, if it's not there, it could be your ecm or a bad wire from ecm. Then you could try jumping the switch side of the efi relay with key on and see if the engine light comes on. if it does, you can probably start and drive it temporarily, but you will need an ecu repair/replacement. Don't leave the jumper in there after your done moving it or whatever.

if 12vdc is there, could be a bad relay listen for it should click when you turn the key on. Check this first and we can go from there.

https://www.taninautoelectronix.com
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Thank you alanflies, I did some more research and found a guy who was having the same issue. He pulled his ECU out, inspected it, put it back in and said it started right up. I figured I'd give that try and bingo! Started right up! Super stoked! Now I can ship it home tomorrow as planned. Hope this helps someone out some day
 
Not starting once again

So its been about a month since I had any issues with my 4runner. Today its doing the same thing. I thought it was the computer or the fuel pump relay so I replaced both of them and still nothing. Just cranks and cranks. What is my next step? Please help
 
Make sure that when you put your key in the ignition, that the security light on your center console (next to the passenger airbag light) is NOT blinking.
 
OK. And just to confirm, do you now have a CEL when you first turn the car on ACC and after you changed out the ECU?
 
lockedlex said:
OK. And just to confirm, do you now have a CEL when you first turn the car on ACC and after you changed out the ECU?
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The only codes that i have are P0440 and P0446. I've had those codes for awhile. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure they have nothing to do with why its not starting.
 
huntercw2003 said:
The only codes that i have are P0440 and P0446. I've had those codes for awhile. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure they have nothing to do with why its not starting.
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Sorry, I meant you said before that the CEL wouldn't turn on even during the ACC "test" phase (your first post). Does that light now work?
 
lockedlex said:
Sorry, I meant you said before that the CEL wouldn't turn on even during the ACC "test" phase (your first post). Does that light now work?
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No worries, at this point I believe the bulb for the check engine light is burnt out. I just moved so my tools are limited. Im planning on buying a cheap meter tomorrow to make sure the fuel pump is getting power. Last time my friend checked there wasnt any power. Where exactly do I check that? I didn't see exactly which lead he was checking. Anything else I can do before I hand it over to a mechanic?
 
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So intended up taking it to a mechanic. Turned out my aftermarket alarm was cutting all power after 30 sec of disengaging it and thats why I wasn't getting power to the broken fuel pump.
 
I thought it was something related to the (OEM) Toyota Alarm, which is why I asked about the security light. I didn't think to ask if you had an aftermarket alarm, argh!!!
 
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