Starting to lose faith in my 4Runner

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

I have spent thousands on new engine and drivetrain and thought I was done for awhile.
Now, a few thousand miles later, my engine will not rev over 2k rpm's and I had to nurse it over to my buddies shop... again. He says it has codes 12, 22, 24, 32 and 41. We researched the codes together and now I am wondering just how much more I will be investing into this vehicle.
My wife says that she now wants a 4 door Wrangler. I may take a huge loss and sell it once it is fixed.
I really just want my 4Runner back on the road. :ybrick:

UPDATE: Faith restored!!!... see below

 

[Chuckles89]

I got the codes from this website: Toyota OBD Trouble Codes and that is a lot of bad codes to pull at the same time. Good luck!

 

[thatoneguy]

If you're gonna go newer, at least pick a smarter vehicle. Jk wranglers are definitely not the
last word in reliability.

If I wasn't working on my own truck, I wouldn't own an older one. Have you considered newer Toyotas?

 

[Hyde802]

Any warranty on the engine? Did a shop put it in or did you do it?

 

[SR5Runner97]

get a 3rd gen. I love mine. but I do want a 1st gen and that's why I roam the classics board..

 

[Footofgod]

I wish I knew what to tell you, but you know the 3.0 as well as anyone out there. There is a billion stupid vaccum lines that could cause the problem. I suggest getting rid of them all. Delete the ADD, get rid of the EGR and pair. Replace the TPS...... You know the routine.

 

[Howitzer]

I'm sorry to hear this, brother. If you lived closer to me, I would be heading over and helping you out. Just gotta trace one thing at a time. I'm having similar "issue scenarios" with my 87, so I went and took a loan on a 2003 taco, just to last me until I fix the 87 to satisfaction, and that has proved a good move for me. As thatoneguy said, jeeps are not gods gift to the world for reliability

 

[Howitzer]

Also, test the TPS, and replace if necessary. An incorrect signal from that to the ECU will throw a wrench in the whole operation, as per my experience

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Thanks guys...
The truck started intermittently missing out so I changed the cap and rotor but it still ran the same. The next day I put in a set of new NGK plugs and this issue popped up.
So far we have traced the issue to the wire harness or a connection... have found 5 spots in the harness that needed repair (so far) but the same problem still exist.
Also - the wife now wants a 1969 - 1975 K5 Blazer.

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

UPDATE - IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!! :banana:

Turned out to be a combination of things but basically came down to the computer.

Installed a new: Coil, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, EGR temperature sensor & Computer... as well as fixing 5 spots in the wire harness.

Now it runs better than it ever has before and the check engine light is off... never seen it stay off before.

The wife now loves it again and we are keeping it... Woohoo!

 

[85straight]

Nice, glad to hear!! arty:




Now get back to work haha

 

[giro]

UPDATE - IT'S BACK!!!!!!!!!!! :banana:

Turned out to be a combination of things but basically came down to the computer.

Installed a new: Coil, plugs, wires, cap, rotor, EGR temperature sensor & Computer... as well as fixing 5 spots in the wire harness.

Now it runs better than it ever has before and the check engine light is off... never seen it stay off before.

The wife now loves it again and we are keeping it... Woohoo!

That's a lot of stuff!

Any idea what was wrong on the computer, and if they put in a new one or a pull from another 4runner? What was the cost of the computer?

In the world of similarly aged 3000gt's (like 90-95) there was a problem with capacitors going bad, leaking all over the place, and destroying the ECU if you didn't clean it up soon enough....along with the crazy strange problems a ECU going bad was causing. I've heard of a few ECU's going bad on older 4runners lately, so just wondering if we might have to worry about a similar thing.

Thanks

 

[Pastor1]

If you're gonna go newer, at least pick a smarter vehicle. Jk wranglers are definitely not the
last word in reliability.

If I wasn't working on my own truck, I wouldn't own an older one. Have you considered newer Toyotas?

Amen on JK Wranglers - if you are looking at Jeeps go with TJ in my opinion. They seem to have less issues than their newer cousins. Everybody that I know that has a JK is experiencing typical Chrysler issues.
Good luck

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

That's a lot of stuff!

Any idea what was wrong on the computer, and if they put in a new one or a pull from another 4runner? What was the cost of the computer?

In the world of similarly aged 3000gt's (like 90-95) there was a problem with capacitors going bad, leaking all over the place, and destroying the ECU if you didn't clean it up soon enough....along with the crazy strange problems a ECU going bad was causing. I've heard of a few ECU's going bad on older 4runners lately, so just wondering if we might have to worry about a similar thing.

Thanks

I only know that the computer was throwing the 5 codes previously mentioned and that no matter what we did the codes wouldn't go away. I think that the ECM may have been flaky for quite some time before it went into "limp home mode" (for lack of a better term).
I got a salvage yard ECM for $150... you can buy refurbished units from most auto parts stores for $250 - $300. Probably cheaper if you shop around.

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

Amen on JK Wranglers - if you are looking at Jeeps go with TJ in my opinion. They seem to have less issues than their newer cousins. Everybody that I know that has a JK is experiencing typical Chrysler issues.
Good luck

We are sticking with our 2nd gen. I mean... what else could possibly go wrong?

 

[Night_Wolf84]

We are sticking with our 2nd gen

That's good to hear. Don't give up on the Runner. I swear, there's been times I wanted to get rid of my 1st gen. for a 3rd gen. or a Tacoma, but I dig the 80s style.

 

[airdreams1]

I pray I dont have that many issues when I finaly get the $$$$ to rebuild mine.

 

[2ndGen4runner4x4]

We are sticking with our 2nd gen. I mean... what else could possibly go wrong?

The day I wrote this the power brake booster went out! :wow:

I picked up a used one off craigslist for $50 and installed it in less than an hour... all is well for now.