Engine will not shut off

[latoy]

A month ago I was not able to get my 1994 Landcruiser to turn off. As soon as I turn the ignition to the OFF position, I can hear it cracking to start up again. I then turn the key to ON position and it fires right back up. No problem starting itself up. I have been trying to find other views and what other people are having problems with and all have been about their cars not starting. Mine had to be the one that just will not die! Everyone joke around that it was possessed. I just let it run and then drive around the block and was able to turn it off. It has not happen again since then but all of a sudden today, the check engine light came on while I was driving and I was not able to accelerate. I pull over to see what was going on and try to shut off the engine but it would not let me turn it off. The truck keeps on trying to start itself even through it was already running. Then all of the lights flashed on the dash board and then I smell something burning and then it shut off by itself. I was afraid to turn it back on and not be able to shut if off so I just had it towed back home. Need some advice on what the problem can be. Please help!

 

[brownbear]

sounds like an onboard computer malfunction. ask toyota for help. sorry I can't help. good explaination though.

 

[Poser]

I second the dealership idea....


Keep us posted!


Good luck!


-Steve

 

[latoy]

I was trying to avoid the dealership since I always get rip off. I was hoping to get an idea of how much it will cost and what possible problem it could before I take it in. Thanks for the reply.

 

[RavenTai]

starter contacts?

Latoy, did you ever hear the starter turning wil the enging was running? the last part definatly sounds like hung starter, and you were overdue for contact replacement.

 

[latoy]

RavenTai-- No, I never heard the starter turning while it was running. Only when I try to turn it off did I hear it start to turn itself back on. Thanks!

 

[Rich]

This certainly sounds like another in an apparantly endless series of reports of the '80 LC starter contacts sticking. I'd say you have been driving around with your starter motor engaged.

Replace starter contacts or replace starter, and then see what else may have been damaged. Another possible cause is your ignition switch, but so many others have had their starter contacts stick closed that the starter is your first suspect.

Given the frequency of this problem being reported I consider the starter to have a design defect. My starter contacts started to go out at 50K miles. Unlike yours the symptoms were that in the middle of cranking the starter would just stop. When I replaced the contacts they were worn beyond the factory specs. No further problems in the past year after replacement.

 

[Poser]

" It has not happen again since then but all of a sudden today, the check engine light came on while I was driving and I was not able to accelerate. I pull over to see what was going on and try to shut off the engine but it would not let me turn it off. The truck keeps on trying to start itself even through it was already running. Then all of the lights flashed on the dash board and then I smell something burning and then it shut off by itself. "



Does not really sound like the starter contact problem to me, but who knows.....


Given your discription, it sounds like your vehicle went into a ' limp ' mode, the computer detected something that would not allow the engine to go over a certian RPM, and then only run for a short time...( as in limp home )

 

[latoy]

Thanks for the all the replies. I appreciate everyone's help. At least now, I have something to look into and it won't cost me another 1300 like the last time I took it to a dealership. ( Long story).

 

[Beowulf]

The truck keeps on trying to start itself even through it was already running. Then all of the lights flashed on the dash board and then I smell something burning and then it shut off by itself.

This sounds like Brent's saga with sticking contacts taking out the alternator and possibly the battery.

You need to get this taken care of ASAP. If you are a 2 banana mechanic we can talk you through removing the starter, replacing the contacts, and reinstalling the starter. There are many threads on this in the archives and one link on the Slee offroad site.

Keep us posted.

-B-

 

[latoy]

Banana? I think I am more of a watermelon? Please advise of any links I can look into. I am a fast learner and will try anything at least once. Thanks!

 

[zipastro]

Double trouble....... I would bet my life on the contacts being bad for -----sure----- along with another unrelated secondary problem. The bad part is we will never know the real truth because the dealer will not put in -just- contacts and will probably find some more suspect parts they want to replace that they just so happen to have in stock. Sorry CDan but we all know it happens

 

[AZcruiser]

Do you have a Haynes book. You can check the code by using a paperclip as a jumper wire and count the flashes . The Haynes will give you basic answer to what the the "check engine" is all about, most likely related.
Or better yet take it to a AutoAone, checker and have them check it and get back on here to let us know the code #.

 

[RavenTai]

" It has not happen again since then but all of a sudden today, the check engine light came on while I was driving and I was not able to accelerate. I pull over to see what was going on and try to shut off the engine but it would not let me turn it off. The truck keeps on trying to start itself even through it was already running. Then all of the lights flashed on the dash board and then I smell something burning and then it shut off by itself. "



Does not really sound like the starter contact problem to me, but who knows.....

actually it does


"something sounded funny, and she was worried she wouldn't make it home. I was replacing the waterpump on my 60, and just told her to come on home, but to call if anything else happened. She called 3 minutes later...said the car was acting really wierd, as if it was trying to start itself - even though it was already running - and it couldn't make it up a hill. I could hear the starter over the cel phone. I told her to pull over and shut it off. She did, and the starter kept trying to start. Then she told me there was a bad smell...at which point she got out of the car, looked underneath, and saw sparks! I told her to hang up, and call 911"

when the voltage gets low the cluster lights up like a christmat tree, with the starter taking all availabe power from the Alt and battery the voltage would be low. the critical part missing is Latoy did not hear the starter turning so it may be soemthing else

read more:

Starter causes fire

 

[latoy]

Wow! I didn't know it could be that serious. It just smell like a fuse or rubber was burnt. I even open up the hood but did not see any smoke or fire. Thank goodness! So, far this has been the most information anybody was able to give me and the closest to what it can be but I just had the mild version.

 

[Beowulf]

Banana? I think I am more of a watermelon? Please advise of any links I can look into. I am a fast learner and will try anything at least once. Thanks!

So you wanna try this yourself? OK, here goes. (Help me guys)


1. Call Cruiserdan or your local dealer and ask for a starter repair kit. Technically you will need to know if you have a 2.0kw or 1.4kw starter. There is a tag on the starter with the p/n. Dan can probably tell you from the VIN, or I think you can just order a set of the 2.0kw contacts. There will be a pos set and a neg set.

2. Next, hit the Slee Offroad web site: http://www.sleeoffroad.com/technical/tz_starter_rebuild.htm

Juice also has a suggested way to determine which starter is in the truck.

3. There are pics of the inside of the starter that Chris Geiger posted when he rebuilt his 4Runner starter a long time ago.

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/


Post questions back in this thread.
-B-

 

[Riley]

And I wouldn't drive it until you fix it otherwise you could be in for some serious $$

 

[latoy]

You guys are awesome! I will give it a try and see what happens. Keep posting any new ideas or thoughts. Thank you to everyone! I really appreciate it.

 

[Rich]

Lose of ability to accelerate or maintain speed probably due to lack of sufficient voltage to fuel pump.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Let me chime in with my personal experience to say -- it's the starter contacts.

I experienced the exact same thing a couple years ago with the 94 I used to have. The starter was stuck on -- I couldn't get the engine to turn off at all; when I tried to turn it off, the starter stayed on and kept trying to get the engine to turn over. I tried driving it to the dealership and it would run fine at low RPM, but would hesitate above 2000.

The next thing I knew all hell broke loose with the lights on the dash. The CEL/MIL came on first, then every other light either came on or started flashing. I pulled over into a parking lot and luckily on the third try, I was able to simply kill the engine by turning the key -- just got lucky I suppose. I was informed that the starter stuck on was starting to affect the power from the alternator. Low power from the alt caused the dash to light up.