HELP - Need south OC Cruiser mechanic

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D

DirtyRice Joe

Joined
Jun 20, 2006
Threads
139
Messages
825
Location
Mission Viejo, CA, USA
Just before Christmas, my FJ62 abruptly stalled (posted 12/26 on 60 Series Tech page). Does anyone know a good Cruiser specialist in the area? The shop I initially towed it to has diagnosed a failed coil/igniter ass'y and ECM -- over $1k in parts alone. They seem to belive that there "may have been a short in the C/I ass'y that fried the ECM". In checking the 60 Series Tech, other's have had similar experiences and found distributor problems. I don't want to spend a fortune on replacement parts I don't need. Thanks, in advance.

Take care,
JR
 
Not technically a cruiser shop, but Laguna Viejo Auto on Cabot Road has been good with my cruiser. They were real straight forward with a buddy here at work that also has a cruiser. Head mechanic there is a former Yota Master mechanic and the Manager owns several cruisers and is fanatical about them. 949-582-7262, manager's name is Harry. They are right next to Amato Tire, between Oso and Crown Vally Pkwy. No affiliation, just happy with the honesty and service so far.
 
Brentbba said:
Not technically a cruiser shop, but Laguna Viejo Auto on Cabot Road has been good with my cruiser.
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FWIW I just drove by there this evening and there was a green lifted 80 with an ARB out front. I thought it was rpfzj80's last time I saw it but he didn't verify that. Ok I am rambling and will shut up now....:rolleyes:
 
You might also consider:

Hanlon Auto Service Center
23011 Moulton Pkwy Ste G1
Laguna Hills, CA 92653View Map
(949) 768-9319

They are not cruiser specialists, but they work on lots of toyotas. I've had my 62 in there and my mini truck. They seem to do good, honest work.

Ask for Ken.
 
Slomo said:
FWIW I just drove by there this evening and there was a green lifted 80 with an ARB out front. I thought it was rpfzj80's last time I saw it but he didn't verify that. Ok I am rambling and will shut up now....:rolleyes:
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The lifted green cruiser with the ARB up front belongs to Harry, the manager! It's a '94 and in pristine shape and he wheels it too!
 
Brentbba said:
The lifted green cruiser with the ARB up front belongs to Harry, the manager! It's a '94 and in pristine shape and he wheels it too!
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That would explain why Rich wouldn't say it was his. :o
 
Not a cruiser shop either and not in South OC.. but in Orange, CA..

Duncan's Automotive.

Our family has been going to this shop for the last 20+ years, mention my name and tell 'em i sent ya.. They're honest as all heck.

Dave Druck
 
Thanks for the input, guys. I have an igniter on the way. If that doesn't solve my problem I may need to get it in to one of the shops you recommended for further diagnosis.

Take care,
JR
 
I was thinking a possible ignitor problem, I should have spoken up sooner. The only time in 14 years of ownership my 86 4Runner ever let me down the ignitor went out on the 5 fwy at 70 mph up by Gorman. Just died and wouldn't restart, had to coast over to the right shoulder. Easy swap and a quick fix. Unfortunately not a cheap one though. IIRC it was about $300 for a new one. What did you wind up paying for your 62's ignitor Joe? Hope that is the fix.
 
Hey Joe,
Did you drag your truck back home? When you get the igniter from Cruiser parts I'm curious to know if it resolves the problem.

Rich

P.S. Mo, sorry about not responding...old guy brain lag. Unfortunately I still have stock bumpers. Although, I was up at Luke Porter's shop over Christmas and his rear bumper system sure looks inviting!
 
rpfzj80 said:
P.S. Mo, sorry about not responding...old guy brain lag. Unfortunately I still have stock bumpers. Although, I was up at Luke Porter's shop over Christmas and his rear bumper system sure looks inviting!
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I thought you had an ARB on there. Talk about old guy brain lag. :rolleyes:

I would love one of Lukes bumpers, just wishing I had the $$$$$ ! :crybaby:
 
One of these days I'll replace the front bumper...maybe if I damage it enough! My main problem is having too many vehicles competing for the same modification budget. At least I did fit a set of 35 x 12.50 15s on it. Now I have trail tires and street tires. The 15s are my old chrome steel rims off the 40 and they fit with only a little bit of trimming off the rear caliper. They don't look too gheto and I certainly don't have to worry about smashing 'em on the rocks.

Rich

P.S. Joe, did your parts show up yet?
 
Rich

P.S. Joe, did your parts show up yet?[/quote]

Yes, but I'm not sure they're the correct parts. See my post on the 80 Series Tech page.

Hey Joe,
Did you drag your truck back home? When you get the igniter from Cruiser parts I'm curious to know if it resolves the problem.

Yes, my truck is at home, and "drag" is the appropriate word. Using a yank strap, under cover of darkness, with my son pulling me with the 80. I didn't want to tie up Advance Tech's garage space while I was waiting for cheap parts.

Rich

I was thinking a possible ignitor problem, I should have spoken up sooner. The only time in 14 years of ownership my 86 4Runner ever let me down the ignitor went out on the 5 fwy at 70 mph up by Gorman. Just died and wouldn't restart, had to coast over to the right shoulder. Easy swap and a quick fix. Unfortunately not a cheap one though. IIRC it was about $300 for a new one. What did you wind up paying for your 62's ignitor Joe? Hope that is the fix.

$100 for the igniter, and $75 for the ECM. I didn't want to spend a lot of money because I'm not 100% sure the dianosis is correct. Several of the 60 Series Tech posts indicate distributor problems cause the same symptons.

I just previewed this post and it's not pretty. Apparently I don't know how to make the little white outline boxes on the people I'm trying to quote in a "multi-quote". Oh well...
 
Joe, if you need any help putting in the parts let me know. I am in MV too and would be happy to help if you need it. I have to admit I don't have any wrenching experience on 60's but I know my way around Toyota's fairly well. Good luck.
 
Slomo said:
Joe, if you need any help putting in the parts let me know. I am in MV too and would be happy to help if you need it. I have to admit I don't have any wrenching experience on 60's but I know my way around Toyota's fairly well. Good luck.
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Thanks for the kind offer, Mo. You are a true gentleman! Replacing the igniter is about as simple as it gets, and the hardest thing about replacing the ECM is that you have to remove the glovebox, other than that, it's just a plug-in.

My main problems now are:

1) Determining if the parts I have in hand are in fact interchangeable direct replacements. Cruiserparts.net says they are, so I'll try when I get home this evening (unless I hear evidence to the contrary before that).

2) Determining that those are indeed the defective parts, and it's not the distributor. I'm okay at basic parts replacement, but I have ZERO diagnostic skills and tools.

I should get home at about 5:30 today. You're welcome to come by and help, heckle, or have a beer ( or a cup of coffee, if you'd prefer). I'm in north MV, just past the lake, PM me for my address and phone number.

Take Care,
Joe
 
Well, the FJ62 is up and running again. It was a failed igniter, as the first shop diagnosed. Fortunately, they were wrong on the ECM diagnosis, it is fine. They seem like good guys (anybody can make a mistake, IMO what's most important is how you handle your mistakes). I'd use that shop again, if necessary.

Re: My experience with Cruiserparts.net - They did not send the exact part numbers I ordered, but they certainly had the best prices, and have been very courteous, so far.

On the C/I igniter ass'y, I'm still not sure why the numbers don't match, but Cruiserparts.net assured me that it would work in my truck, and a friend who works at Specter gave me the same opinion. The coil that came with the C/I ass'y was a rotted piece of junk, but that wasn't the part I needed, as my old coil is okay. The truck fired up and ran fine as soon as I replaced the igniter. It seems to be doing just great, and my son is ecstatic now that he has his (MY) car back ;).

On the ECM, Cruiserparts.net sent me the "Federal" ECM. The part numbers are close, but they don't match. I'm sure the truck would run with this ECM, but I don't believe it would pass CA smog certification. I'm going to send the ECM back and ask for a refund on that part, mainly because it's the wrong part for my car, and also because I don't need it, anyway. I would have been willing to keep it as a spare it was the correct part.

Anyway, thanks to all who offered suggestions on mechanics in the area. I'm sure I'll use those resources in the future. A special thanks, again, to Mo for offerring to come over and help.

Take care,
Joe
 
Glad to hear it all worked out ok Joe. :cheers:
 
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