'92 FJ died and won't start

[barkbuster]

While my wife was driving her '92 FJ 80 land cruiser with the 3FE engine the other day it just died a couple miles from home. I towed it back home and did a little checking this afternoon. It appears to me to have no spark. Pulling the spark plugs out, they all appeared dry after cranking. With the plugs out, I could smell gas while the motor was being cranked. I put a new distributor cap and rotor on it back in December so I pulled it off, sanded the points, and reassembled. The vehichle still didn't start. I did notice that there is corrosion on the two coils in the distributor. I visually looked at all the fuses and they looked fine.

Thanks in advance for any advice or help!

 

[landtank]

swap out the EFI relay

 

[lt1fire]

swap out the EFI relay

I second this... seems to be a problem with the 3FE's

 

[Michael Hanson]

EFI, redo wiring below and in under hood fuse box. Mike

 

[barkbuster]

Thanks for the responses. I have read about the EFI relay's giving trouble but I assumed that if the EFI relay failed it would have spark and no fuel. I'm not a mechanic at all but I can smell fuel and it appears to have no spark. Does the EFI relay also have something to do with engine spark?

 

[ktmracer01]

I would certainly say that it sounds like and EFI relay. let us know if that doesnt work

 

[CJF]

Is the Check Engine Light (CEL) illuminated with the key in the ON position, as it should be?

That's essentially a check of the EFI circuit.

Curtis

 

[barkbuster]

Yes the check engine light (as well as others) is illuminated when the key is in the ON position.

 

[Fergie]

Do you have the FSM available to you?

Before you go throwing money at parts, trouble shoot the issue, and address it properly.

Here is a very good place to start.
http://gclcny.com/jh/images/Strife/3FE EFI Diag.pdf

 

[jonheld]

You need to check for spark the correct way first. Pull the coil wire off the dissy and try to pull an arc to a ground point on the motor while it it cranking. Then do the same with an individual plug.

If your CE light is on and you have no spark then possible coil/igniter or pick up coils in the distributor.

If you have spark, then we're looking at fuel delivery.

 

[irondalefj80]

BRKBUSTER, the wiring around your distributor has pulled apart, had the same prob with my fj80. give me a call, or shoot me a pm. i'll have to describe it to you over the phone, kinda too much to say in a post. my cell is 205-335-1562, my email is chassie67@yahoo.com. i'm in irondale, al.
thanks
charles

 

[Marco7]

Doesn't sound like an EFI main relay if the truck died on her while she was driving it.

troubleshoot the ignition system, coil wire for continuity.

 

[Fergie]

Doesn't sound like an EFI main relay if the truck died on her while she was driving it.

troubleshoot the ignition system, coil wire for continuity.

An overheating EFI main will cause the vehicle to die, and suddenly. Your CEL won't show if this is the case.

This problem can be intermittent. Diagnose the vehicle per the FSM and Jon's website.

 

[Michael Hanson]

The efi will definitely go out while driving! MIke

 

[alex4640]

My EFI went out while driving on a hot Texas day. I pulled it and put in the spare the PO told me to carry in the center console. This happened several times until I finally found a short in the wire harness going to the injectors. Looked like the PO had overheated the heck out of it and fried the harness between the intake manifold and the fuel rail. After removing half a mile of electrical tape, I found what looked like a the Griswold's Christmas light repair job. I was tempted (by the dealer) to buy a new wire harness but I was able to repair it properly with soldered connections and heat sheild.

 

[landtank]

This happened several times until I finally found a short in the wire harness going to the injectors. Looked like the PO had overheated the heck out of it and fried the harness between the intake manifold and the fuel rail.

I'm working with a friend on Thursday to repair this same exact problem on his truck. Like the 1FZ-FE engine harness, a similar situation is present in the 3FE trucks.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Upgrade the wiring to 12 gauge,dont buy a new toyota harness its poor. Mike

 

[landtank]

Upgrade the wiring to 12 gauge,dont buy a new toyota harness its poor. Mike

if this is a reply to me you don't understand the problem. It's the main engine harness from the ECM not the wiring to the EFI relay.

 

[jonheld]

Doesn't sound like an EFI main relay if the truck died on her while she was driving it.

Uhh...no, but the EFI relay doesn't appear to be the issue with the original poster's vehicle as his check engine light is illuminated.

Could be igniter or could be pick up coils in the distributor causing a no-spark.
However, we haven't heard back from the OP regarding a request to properly check for spark. He may be dealing with a fuel delivery issue. Without answers to questions asked this could be due to the current phase of the moon.

 

[Marco7]

Interesting, it's been many moons since I dealt with this major PITA issue for several consecutive summers, so my memory may have failed me.
But IIRC, it never died while driving, just failed to start after I'd been driving in hot temp conditions...mid 90s F.
Climb back in and a no-start condition. Replace the blazing hot EFI relay with one of my many spares in the door pocket and it would crank right back up.

I eventually replaced the wiring with heavier guage wire and used only OEM relays instead of aftermarket ones(yeah I know). Haven't had any problems the last several summers, knock wood.

At one point, I almost considered selling it since it was such a hassle. Glad I didn't.

Also I believe there was a service kit or perhaps just a TSB about upgrading the wire from Toyota back in the mid 90s.

FWIW, the wiring leading to the plug for the main relay was toast on mine. It was a little crowded down there so i relocated the relay to an empty location within the box.