It will crank but will not run?

Tiny
ANONYMOUS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 200 MILES
It was running fine and one day it just did not start. It will crank but will not turn over. I believe that I am not getting spark. The battery and starter are good and all fuses are good. I sprayed some starting fluid into the throttle body and it still did not start. I have also pulled a spark plug out and the plug was in good condition but had fuel on it. This is why I think there is no spark. What are the most likely causes? I have also pulled the timing belt cover and the belt is good. Could the ignition coils be bad causing the no start? It seems unlikely that all three of them would go out at the same time. What can I do to find the problem? Thanks
Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 AT 10:53 PM

25 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
If your 1997 Toyota 4Runner is cranking but not starting, and you suspect a lack of spark, there are several potential causes to consider:

Ignition coil failure:

Ignition module failure:

Crankshaft position sensor (CKP):

Distributor issues:

Faulty ignition switch:

Wiring and connections:

Please check out this guide as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Tuesday, February 19th, 2013 AT 11:00 PM
Tiny
GREENHORNMM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1997 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 225,000 MILES
Turns over no spark no distributor can a socket that was left and wedged between starter and flywheel cause damage.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
It can definitely do damage if it gets physically jammed in the flywheel bit there is nothing electrical in there.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GREENHORNMM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Owner says before not running whenever he drove car would take upwards up to 30 mins turningkey off then on. Eventually starting starter and alternator fuses both burnt out replaced em. Isnt crank senser near flywheel can it be bad cuz of socket.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,761 POSTS
No, the Crank sensor is in the front of the engine.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOWEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
There is no fire coming from coil to dist.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the coil, distributor pick-up coil and ignitor also the coil wire-check ignition fuse
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RFHERRICK1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
Had 4 runner at a shop for a little over 3 weeks, they told me there was no spark so they asummed it was the firing coil, not the problem they replaced the ignitor, the computer and rotor they said it was damaged new plugs they may have tired a thing or to else but now its back at my house they said it had to be a wire broke somewhere? Maybe a after market alarm killing the engine? I looked for alarm no couldn, t locate one the nearest toyota dealer is 2 hours away costly tow any ideas would be helpful thanks
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
The NE andG signals are send to the ECU as rpm references-if it doesn't receives this it will not send an Igt signal to the ignitor to fire the coil and also no Igf going back to the computer telling it that combustion has occured and also you will not get an injectors pulses meaning no fuel.

Check the pick-up coils resistances in the distributor not to specs replace the distributor. This is the set up of Toyotas Igntion system.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RFHERRICK1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Everything u mentioned has been done any other ideas of why my 94 toyota 4 runner has no spark.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check whether the computer is receiving the Ne and G signals if so could be the computer or ignitor.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MARK BARNARD
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 137,000 MILES
I have a 95 Toyota 4 Runner n the head gasket went of corse lol got a new motor for and not getting no spark new battery, coil, ingnitor turns over all lights work power windows work, I bought it one owner but it has a 1992 distribrator in it it was running when it blue I am disabiled n don't have a lot of $ to take it to a mechanic it sat for a year and a half
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the motor you put in 92 and all the parts it is not compatible with a 95 due to 92 is OBD1 and 95 is OBD2
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRAYA_DELION
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1992 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
I can't get me 92 Toyota 4Runner to start. It's not getting a spark and I don't know anything about engines what can I do to get it to start
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRAYA_DELION
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I know nothing about cars
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERESMIKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1991 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 152,000 MILES
I changed the oil and spark plugs and when I was done, it wouldn't start. I had no problems before I did this. I checked with everything I did and I have no spark coming from the coil. I have replaced the coil and the igniter unit and still have the same problem. I have checked the fuses in the engine compartment and they all look good. I have checked to see if I had knocked a wire loose when I R&R the plugs but see nothing unusual. The motor cranks but no spark from the coil. I checked the distributer cap and rotor and it looks fine but the problem lies before it gets here. I'm at odds now. If the oil pump went bad, will it cause the coil not to spark? Fuel pump? I remember back in the old days that when the capacitor in the distributor went bad, this very thing happens. I can't find a capacitor like that in this motor. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
There's nothing that you did that can prevent it from starting-test the coil wire or substitute it and see what happens and double check the distributor harness.

Do you have power to the coil positive terminal?
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HERESMIKEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I get no readings at the positive terminal to the coil. Do I need a new distributer?
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the ignition fuse if okay- do this get a wire that will reach from the battery positive terminal to the coil positive terminal now try to start it-

If it starts up change out the ignition switch
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Thursday, May 16th, 2019 AT 2:54 PM (Merged)

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