Will the 80 bust my Thanksgiving plans?

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kenton

kenton

Joined
Oct 22, 2003
Threads
36
Messages
252
Location
NW suburbs of Chicago
I'm trying to prep for a Thanksgiving holiday trip, but now maybe I can't trust my 80! :(

This morning I wasn't able to start the 80. I turned the key, and the engine wouldn't turn over. I tried it over a dozen times, no effect. I climbed underneath and whacked the starter with a BF hammer, hopped in and after another couple key turns, it started. I don't know if the whack was useful or not.

I looked at my dash, and the MIL was on! The code is P0360 (correction: P0340), Camshaft sensor A Bank 1 malfunction. I reset the codes, drove to work with a heavy heart. The light didn't come on again, and it started fine when I tried at work immediately after I shut it off, and also fine at lunch time.

I don't know if the MIL had anything to do with the no-start, but it was awfully coincidental. But, maybe my hammer whack accidentally hit some wiring or other item that messed with the camshaft sensor? I dunno.

My wife is starting to remind me that, after the major front axle rebuild, the major heater hose repair and the premature rust on the rear hatch, maybe this isn't such a great purchase after all. :(

Kenton
 
Last edited:
Did you hear any noise at all when you turned the key? As in a clunk?
 
Kenton,

I don't have my FSM here but a Google search says P0360 is an ignition coil malfunction.

Are you sure about that code?

When did you replace the starter contacts?

-B-
 
Since it seems like you're in a rush...get a new starter. That'll solve the starting problem. If you have the time, order starter contacts from C-Dan and replace the contacts.

Don't know enough about your rig to suggest anything else...
 
I do not see P0360 listed in the manual, are you sure on the code?
 
Time-wise there is virtually no difference between replacing the contact and plunger vs a new starter...ok maybe 5 mins. $$$-wise quite a difference. I'd replace contacts and plunger and put the BFH away...maybe the code will not resurface.
 
kenton said:
My wife is starting to remind me that, after the major front axle rebuild, the major heater hose repair and the premature rust on the rear hatch, maybe this isn't such a great purchase after all. :(

Kenton
Click to expand...

Kenton -

Think of it this way. There are some common 80 series problems. Between the axle rebuild, the heater hose repair, and now possibly the starter contacts you've already got the most common ones covered. The items you've listed (with the exception of the rust) could be predicted in advance for any 80. They're behind you now. :beer:

Jason
 
Better than the failed alternator, transmission, and rear diff that any 1/2 ton GM SUV would throw at you.
 
Thanks guys, I'm feeling a little better.

To go down the list...

Shocker - no clunk, maybe a whine, whirr or buzz, but you know heater fans and such are on, and your ears get hyper-sensitive in a situation like that, so I can't really say...

B and Dan - sorry, it was code P0340, not 360. Looking thru FSM, that code doesn't seem to be terribly relevent, so I'm hoping that was just a fluke? Maybe I abused a wire going to the distributor? B, I haven't replaced the starter contacts on this vehicle yet-- it was my 4Runner that I replaced them on last year.

Doug and Todd - my plan is to see if my local Toy mechanic friend can help me out with contacts or a loaner starter today or tomorrow, then go from there... By the way, this no-start has happened before, but always before a jiggle of the key or an off-on sequence was enough to make it roar to life. I still have this feeling that it isn't the starter, but a loose connection in the ignition switch or relay or something.

Thanks guys, onward and upward. If the Cruiser gets back in my good graces we'll take it on our trip, otherwise, it's 'pile into the minivan' time, and off we go on Wednesday for Gramma's house...

Kenton
 
I suggested getting a reman starter not because of the time it would take to replace the contacts, but the time he was losing in finding the parts -- in one of the posts, he said that he couldn't find anyone who would sell just the parts.

Ordering the from C-Dan would be a no-brainer, but it would take time (which he doesn't seem to have) to have them shipped to him.

...which is why I suggested getting the starter and not the contacts...(just wanted to clarify my logic :D)
 
My local dealer, while not nearly as knowlegable nor cost effective as CDAN, given the part # by 3 pm can have the parts to me next day...typically by the time I get to work there is a vmail telling me the parts are in. I suppose if your in BFE there would be more of a time factor.
 
Kenton,

Your no starting problem sounds like the classic worn starter contacts since you've never replaced yours and I'm betting the mileage is 90k or more.

Doug's reman suggestion is a 2 banana job and you'll probably have to give up the old starter for the core charge. If it were me, I would keep the old starter and rebuild it.

>> I still have this feeling that it isn't the starter,
>> but a loose connection in the ignition switch
>> or relay or something.

Trust us on this one Kenton. I'll buy *your* dinner next time you're in town if we are wrong. :D If you are thinking you'll push this repair out a week or two then be warned that delay is very risky. Your truck wants the starter fixed now. Heed the signs and take care of it now. FWIW, rebuilding the starter once you have new contacts and a new plunger is only slightly more work than the R&R of the starter.

Let us know if you want R&R tips posted. There are plenty of posts in the archives but we can add to this thread if you need it.

-B-
 
Kenton, if your trip is far and you think it's possibly the neutral safety switch, let me know. I have an extra one in my truck and could overnight it if you need it (on loan or whatever). Prob. the contacts though. If you have to, have Cbizkit overnight some to your destination. They'd arrive there on Wed and you can install instead of napping after eating the bird on Thr. Then you'd only have to worry about getting there, and chances are a whack or two may help. Just a thought ...

I'm disapointed a highly trained engineer would not remember the exact code though ;) - just givin ya crap.

PM me if you need the switch, will not have email access during day tomorrow.
 
Overnight to the rescue...

Junk said:
Kenton, if your trip is far and you think it's possibly the neutral safety switch, let me know. I have an extra one in my truck and could overnight it if you need it (on loan or whatever). Prob. the contacts though. If you have to, have Cbizkit overnight some to your destination. They'd arrive there on Wed and you can install instead of napping after eating the bird on Thr. Then you'd only have to worry about getting there, and chances are a whack or two may help. Just a thought ...

I'm disapointed a highly trained engineer would not remember the exact code though ;) - just givin ya crap.

PM me if you need the switch, will not have email access during day tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Thanks guys. My Toy mechanic has a starter "somewhere in his barn"-- which effectively means I'm SOL in that arena, because his barn has three layers of parts, is 80x120' and also has starters for 82 Corona's, 79 Hi-lux's, etc. I don't have hours to search. Plan B is now to call C-dan in the morning, and have him overnight necessary parts to Michigan (my destination) where I will do the install, similar to Junk's suggests.

First time I've heard mention about neutral safety switch... Any diag's for that? Wiggle the shifter? I don't wanna whack that with my hammer!

Kenton
 
junks idea worked, dan came thru, b was right...

Thanks everyone, I wanted to bring closure here. Per Junk's idea I ordered the parts overnight to parent's house, and took the (small?) risk that during journey I would encounter major difficulties with starting. I did take the 80, against my spouse's better judgement. We ended up glad we did, because our 4.5 hr trip became a 10 hr trip due to blizzard along our entire route. The trip would've been longer and more harrowing with her vehicle (97 Venture).
C-Dan's contact replacement parts arrived promptly and complete. Installed the day after Thanksgiving, sure enough the old contacts were worn thin. As Beowulf predicted, I have now had no problems starting since.

Regards,
Kenton

Beowulf said:
Kenton,

Your no starting problem sounds like the classic worn starter contacts since you've never replaced yours and I'm betting the mileage is 90k or more.

Doug's reman suggestion is a 2 banana job and you'll probably have to give up the old starter for the core charge. If it were me, I would keep the old starter and rebuild it.

>> I still have this feeling that it isn't the starter,
>> but a loose connection in the ignition switch
>> or relay or something.

Trust us on this one Kenton. I'll buy *your* dinner next time you're in town if we are wrong. :D If you are thinking you'll push this repair out a week or two then be warned that delay is very risky. Your truck wants the starter fixed now. Heed the signs and take care of it now. FWIW, rebuilding the starter once you have new contacts and a new plunger is only slightly more work than the R&R of the starter.

Let us know if you want R&R tips posted. There are plenty of posts in the archives but we can add to this thread if you need it.

-B-
Click to expand...
 
kenton said:
Thanks everyone, I wanted to bring closure here. Per Junk's idea I ordered the parts overnight to parent's house, and took the (small?) risk that during journey I would encounter major difficulties with starting. I did take the 80, against my spouse's better judgement. We ended up glad we did, because our 4.5 hr trip became a 10 hr trip due to blizzard along our entire route. The trip would've been longer and more harrowing with her vehicle (97 Venture).
C-Dan's contact replacement parts arrived promptly and complete. Installed the day after Thanksgiving, sure enough the old contacts were worn thin. As Beowulf predicted, I have now had no problems starting since.

Regards,
Kenton
Click to expand...

Kenton Did you start your trip off running in 2WD or Full time 4WD?
 
Not sure if you're being facetious? but it was 4WD-- I mentioned in my "adventures ..." post that you replied to, that I had just switched over for the winter. None too soon, it appears. Mark that as another downer to removing driveshaft, is that you're never sure when you wished you had it installed.

My project now is to come up with a modification to the ABS so that I can keep ABS with the CDL on and front driveshaft out. I also want to extinguish the annoying orange CDL light, but still have a readily-noticeable indicator that it is on. Hmmmm....

Kenton

LandCruiserPhil said:
Kenton Did you start your trip off running in 2WD or Full time 4WD?
Click to expand...
 
kenton said:
Not sure if you're being facetious? but it was 4WD-- I mentioned in my "adventures ..." post that you replied to, that I had just switched over for the winter.
Kenton
Click to expand...

No not at all. Sorry but I did not remember that you put your driveline back- My bad

Very interested on your ideas on how to keep your ABS up and going.
 
Logic dictates that if the signal from the CDL 'lock" indicator switch to the ABS computer was interupped, the ABS would still function.
 
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