1997 KZ-J95 Colorado 1KZ-TE 3.0 TD won't start

[VirginiaColorad]

Last year, my Colorado stopped running. Batteries were draining. Lots of issues. Since then, a lot of diagnostics have been performed, but it's still not running. Meaning, it turns over, but doesn't start. The following work has been done:

1. battery cables have been replaced/fixed
2. All fuses and relays reviewed, replaced as needed
3. fuel solenoid has been removed, cleaned, and is now functioning properly
4. attempt flashing transponder ecu modules and keys
5. ECU rebuilt

Currently, batteries are holding the charge better, and it is turning over, but still won't start. No fuel getting to injectors. The ECU is throwing a 99 code, which according to my mechanic means that the ECU is bad (just rebuilt) or there's something wrong with the transponder. Still looking for someone locally (Virginia USA - in the Washington DC metro area) to look at this, but no luck so far. Most of the troubleshooting has been done by my mechanic, but he's at a loss. It's under the shade tree looking for help. I can elaborate, but thought I'd start with this.

Thanks, Chris

 

[KiwiBogan]

Last year, my Colorado stopped running. Batteries were draining. Lots of issues. Since then, a lot of diagnostics have been performed, but it's still not running. Meaning, it turns over, but doesn't start. The following work has been done:

1. battery cables have been replaced/fixed
2. All fuses and relays reviewed, replaced as needed
3. fuel solenoid has been removed, cleaned, and is now functioning properly
4. attempt flashing transponder ecu modules and keys
5. ECU rebuilt

Currently, batteries are holding the charge better, and it is turning over, but still won't start. No fuel getting to injectors. The ECU is throwing a 99 code, which according to my mechanic means that the ECU is bad (just rebuilt) or there's something wrong with the transponder. Still looking for someone locally (Virginia USA - in the Washington DC metro area) to look at this, but no luck so far. Most of the troubleshooting has been done by my mechanic, but he's at a loss. It's under the shade tree looking for help. I can elaborate, but thought I'd start with this.

Thanks, Chris

View attachment 3712243

Does the red light with the door and key image stay flashing when you turn the ACC on or does it extinguish? It's a long shot but theirs a plastic cover around your ignition. Behind that cover on the side of the ignition barrel is a single blade connector with a single wire plugged in. Make sure the wire connector is making a good connection. I accidentally knocked mine once when working behind the dash. It was dislodged enough to look like it was still connected but not enough to make contact. Symptoms were same as yours though not sure about if it cut the fuel delivery? I'd say it did as how else do you immobilise an old diesel? Worth a look!

 

[VirginiaColorad]

Does the red light with the door and key image stay flashing when you turn the ACC on or does it extinguish? It's a long shot but theirs a plastic cover around your ignition. Behind that cover on the side of the ignition barrel is a single blade connector with a single wire plugged in. Make sure the wire connector is making a good connection. I accidentally knocked mine once when working behind the dash. It was dislodged enough to look like it was still connected but not enough to make contact. Symptoms were same as yours though not sure about if it cut the fuel delivery? I'd say it did as how else do you immobilise an old diesel? Worth a look!

Thanks for the response! I gave it a try. Mine has two wires, not one. Door light stays on, not flashing. Turns over, no start.

Now a little more detail...

The Colorado was running at one point, very well in fact -- last Mar-Jun. But, there have been issues. On the journey to my house (500 mile ride), the radiator ruptured. We replaced, along with hoses, filters, etc. I did not replace the thermostat at that point, but I do have one. It made it to my house. I replaced some cosmetic stuff to get it ready for inspection, and no issues. A month or two later, let's say Jul-Aug, the ignition switch wasn't working well, so I replaced that, and the ignition cylinder. It started and ran. In November, I took it out for a spin and the temp spiked. I didn't want another blow-up, so I quickly returned home. It sat for several weeks/couple months and then this started. Battery draining, turn over, wouldn't start. Then, wouldn't turn over. This March, I took to my mechanic and they started diagnosing, which is what I've listed above.

So, it started and ran up until that temp spike, and then no longer. Maybe that will provide some details that might be helpful. Below are pics from my dash.

 

[KiwiBogan]

Hmm sounds to me like you've narrowed it down to the anti theft system. When you turn the key to the "on" position (I think ACC position too?), the red door light should go out. If it's not, the anti theft is still locking you out.

I don't know how to solve the problem from here. Have you got a spare key you can try in case the transponder in the key is knackered?

 

[VirginiaColorad]

Hmm sounds to me like you've narrowed it down to the anti theft system. When you turn the key to the "on" position (I think ACC position too?), the red door light should go out. If it's not, the anti theft is still locking you out.

I don't know how to solve the problem from here. Have you got a spare key you can try in case the transponder in the key is knackered?

My mistake, I had the door open. The red door light does go off in both ON & ACC. Just turns over, no start. I have both original keys, one black, one grey. I feel like I've tried both, but can try again a bit later.

 

[KiwiBogan]

My mistake, I had the door open. The red door light does go off in both ON & ACC. Just turns over, no start. I have both original keys, one black, one grey. I feel like I've tried both, but can try again a bit later.

Naa I'm talking about a different light to the door light. It's got a picture of a key in the middle of a door. It might be different on your car? It's the immobilizer light.

Ohhhh sorry, it might be a picture of a car with a key in the middle? Sorry, it's been a while.

 

[VirginiaColorad]

Naa I'm talking about a different light to the door light. It's got a picture of a key in the middle of a door. It might be different on your car? It's the immobilizer light.

Ohhhh sorry, it might be a picture of a car with a key in the middle? Sorry, it's been a while.

I've seen no such light on the dash. I searched and found some online pics, but I don't see that light anywhere on the dash. I'll look more closely tomorrow, when the sun's out! Thanks for your help.

 

[VirginiaColorad]

Seeing if anyone is reading this thread ... I had the ECU reset (all key information deleted) and need to have the ECU relearn the keys. Any idea how to do this?

 

[Trapper50cal]

@Mauser might know...

 

[Mauser]

Seeing if anyone is reading this thread ... I had the ECU reset (all key information deleted) and need to have the ECU relearn the keys. Any idea how to do this?

It should be in auto registration mode.

This is how it is done in all the Toyotas I have messed with

 

[Perfect]

At some point my car did not want to start but the motor turn over very well.

The glow plug light on the dash did not go out.

I traced it down to a fuse that was blown but looked good.
I pulled and tested every fuse with a multimeter and found the culprit, replaced it and the car started instantly.