Engine starts but then dies

Tiny
WILL B
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 TOYOTA 4RUNNER
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 170,000 MILES
It was running great, the I parked it for awhile and went to go to store and it started and just died. I checked and it seems to get spark even when it won't start, so I've changed fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator, and checked timing and it still does same thing. If I take the mass air sensor and stick a screwdriver in it to open all the way up it runs, but it runs terrible. Any ideas?
Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 1:43 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Find the check connector jump the Fp to Batt on it -do you hear the fuel pump if so attempt to start.

The MAF sensor grounds the circuit opening relay Fc contact from there it powers the fuel pump.

Bench test the MAF using the repair manual-

I'll be here waiting
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
WILL B
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I have two different manuals neither tells me how to bench test my maf, how do I test it Thanks will
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 11th, 2008 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Did you jump the Fp to Batt. In the diagnostic check connector this will power the fuel pump.

If I take the mass air sensor and stick a screw driver in it to open all the way up it runs, but it runs terrible

What you are doing is powering up the fuel pump at the same time there's a lot of incoming airflow that the computer is confuse is to adjust for fuel. By doing so tells me somthing is wrong with MAF sensor and also in the book it doesn't say anything on testing it.

Your sensor type is the Vane Airflow sensor

Try this have helper listen to the fuel pump then turn the ignitn On-now push the MAF flap wide open -do you hear the pump come on.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, January 12th, 2008 AT 12:05 AM
Tiny
WILL B
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well I jumped the fuel pump and it still don't stay running, when you open the air meter the fuel pump runs, but after messing with it today it was idling but rough then when you give it gas it dies, but if you really slowly give more gas it idles up but don't run very well. I also jumped over the diagnostic port and it came up with code 11, says tps or cpu, don't remember if I ever checked codes before its been a long time since I first worked on it, woud a throttle position sensor make it not won't to stay running?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 13th, 2008 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Now we're getting somewhere-The TPS and IACV will do that-check it and report back-am waiting
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, January 13th, 2008 AT 6:54 PM
Tiny
WILL B
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Sorry haven't got back to ya, only work on it once in awhile, put new tps switch in, and now its got no codes coming up, but still does the same thing, were now? Maybe its the ecu? Watched a show about baja 1000, they had a newer toyota on the trail, that started doing the same thing and it ended up being some wiring on masf, could I be looking at wiring if so were do you start?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 AT 5:22 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Find the EGR open it up and look for carboned-up pintle and inspect its passages.

At the airflow meter you can disconnect it and also at the computer harness check wire to wire and wire shorted to another wire going to the airflow meter.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 AT 9:58 PM
Tiny
BRANDON SEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Have same kinda problem. Car starts for a bit and cel comes on and car dies. Then try starting it back on, and it’ll be rough to start have to gas it to start and it’ll start and run fine until cel come back on and it dies.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
BRANDON SEE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
22re engine
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the ECU is going out. but to be sure lets run the codes to see what is going on. here is a guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/toyota-trouble-code-definitions-and-code-gathering-method-1990-1995

Please run down this guide and report back.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, February 4th, 2019 AT 1:29 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE