Anybody know what this black box is?

[gerodotfour]

I think I broke it. My best guess is it's a voltage converter to go from 12V to 12kV, then somehow that gets fed into the distributor. If this is true, then that explains why my FJ40 won't start. I've looked up the obvious numbers on the front and I think it's too old for the internet to turn up anything. It's got what looks like a Toyota part number and also a Nippondenso part number, no joy on either.

I bought my FJ around Thanksgiving last year and didn't have any problems until now, it's a '73 HT body with a Chevy 350 conversion and somehow it's a 4 spd so it's quite the hybrid. Still hoping the owner will send me some of the old documentation he had so I can more fully understand the beast in my garage.

Anyhow, I think I've isolated the problem to this little black box only I don't know what it is. Haynes manual didn't help either. The attached photo is from the driver's side looking towards the firewall, you can see the fuse box on the left and some of the pedals on the right, then the steering column far right. Thanks ahead of time for any help you guys can provide.

-Ryan

 

[Degnol]

Flight Data Recorder



Actually, I think it is the emissions "computer"

 

[TLC76]

If you have a V8 conversion I don't believe that would be doing anything other than looking mysterious now.

 

[Enigma]

Whatever it is, there looks be some nippondenso part numbers on it? Post them up, as I can't see them clearly at that resolution, then we can plug them to the internetz and see just what exactly it is.
Because nothing is too old for the internet really.

 

[alaska60]

If you have a V8 conversion I don't believe that would be doing anything other than looking mysterious now.

Agreed!

 

[Rocky_LC]

That's your emissions "computer".

It definately does not do this: "...voltage converter to go from 12V to 12kV, then somehow that gets fed into the distributor"

Make sense that it's not connected to anything. Even if it was, it is likely the wires on the engine side of the harness aren't hooked to your engine.

Good luck -

Rocky

 

[gerodotfour]

Nippondenso Part Number

The Nippondenso part number is 078200-0140. I already tried the internet and didn't come up with anything. I did just do a search for FJ40 emissions computers and many of the image results look similar to my "black box" so I think you guys are absolutely right. Thanks again. Now I know this is probably not my starting issue.

-Ryan

 

[Enigma]

My curiosity is peaked now. So far you are correct, nothing coming up with that part number alone. What other info is on that part, numbers etc?
What's the year of your 40, 1973? I didn't think they had any emissions, aside from a charcoal canister, back then? I could plug your VIN into toyodiy.com and see what comes up perhaps, but looking at a '73 40, there is no emissions listed.

Edit: well I'll be a monkeys uncle! They do call up for a 'computer' way back then, didn't think they had invented them yet

89550 COMPUTER ASSY, EMISSION CONTROL
89550‑60010 (09/1971 - 08/1972) 1
89550‑60011 (09/1972 - 08/1973) 1
89550‑60013 (09/1973 - 12/1974) 1
89550‑60020 FOR E.G.R. CALIFORNIA SPEC.

http://www.toyotapartszone.com/1973/84-01-795-toyota-land-cruiser-switch-relay.html

 

[gerodotfour]

Enigma - thanks for looking that up. I'll remember that web site you used because the results it gave were better than google. Sure enough I do have a 12/72 FJ40 and that part number listed matches the Toyota part number above the nippondenso one.

Here is the background behind all this: that emissions computer had an output to a vacuum switching valve that is obviously not needed anymore with the 350 conversion, so there was an unused electrical connection that I tried to use for an electronic radiator cooling fan. Well that worked for about ten seconds and now there is no longer any voltage out of that connection. Also, my FJ won't start...but all 8 fuses in the fuse box are still good. So...did I short something important? I know the emissions computer is probably just "looking mysterious" since it's not used with the 350 motor, so it's probably not the cause of my problems if I did short it out...but what else could it be?

I'm poring over my Haynes manual now to do some educated troubleshooting. The motor turns over but no combustion so it's either not getting fuel or not getting a spark.

 

[alan m]

Ditto on the emissions computer, but I have seen the fan speed controller looking like that as well
Alan