in need of ideas on two problems with the cruiser

[idigfjs]

first issue is starting and staying running. it will start and run fine for a time then for no reason not start or be able to start with a little throttle but die when the throttle is let off. fuel pump tested great so the Toyota guys suggested the crank sensor. that appears to be a huge job to replace and since it is very intermittent I wondered if you guys had any other thoughts. I wouldn't worry about it as my daily driver as it has done this several times and then run fine for weeks but my son is going to take it to Colorado for six months so I want this to not be an issue for him.

then there is an issue of when we take the key out of the ignition and a clicking continuing that runs down the battery overnight. this too is intermittent and I tried replacing the ignition but that didn't fix it. should I try and replace the wiring to the ignition. it seems like the key grounds something cause if I leave it in the ignition when I get out and close the door it does not make the clicking noise and doesn't run the battery down.

 

[idigfjs]

one thing I just noticed when I went back to the truck is that the door chimes when opened even with the key not in the ignition

 

[benc]

Check your crank sensor wires.
Mine was doing something similar and I found the wires had come loose and were rubbing the ac compressor. Look from the top down and you will be able to see if that is you problem. Good luck.

 

[r2m]

Is your throttle body clean?
Let a couple of mechanics look at it independently, because it sounds like it could be a simple fix that someone may soak you for a chunk of coin by misdiagnosing.

 

[idigfjs]

Check your crank sensor wires.
Mine was doing something similar and I found the wires had come loose and were rubbing the ac compressor. Look from the top down and you will be able to see if that is you problem. Good luck.

thank you I will ck that. would this be just the intermittent starting issue or could it also be the cause of the clicking noise that is also intermittent when the key is not in the ignition.

I ordered a new ignition and that didn't fix it so I took it back and ordered the wire harness for the ignition to see if there is some sort of short in it that the key grounds when it is in the ignition

 

[idigfjs]

Is your throttle body clean?
Let a couple of mechanics look at it independently, because it sounds like it could be a simple fix that someone may soak you for a chunk of coin by misdiagnosing.

thanks for that. I will check that as well and yes these are the bad kind of problems that you hate to take to a mechanic and let them start changing parts till the figure out what it is.

 

[cruzerDave]

one thing I just noticed when I went back to the truck is that the door chimes when opened even with the key not in the ignition

@idigfjs - how did you ever solve this? My truck just started doing it... EFI relay going bonkers, door chime as if key were in ignition when it was not... help!

 

[jerryb]

I'd start here

 

[vman858]

Mine was intermittently starting and it was the Crank Sensor wire shorting to ground. Oil pressure line is in same loom and it went max. The Crank Sensor is a easy thing to replace. One 10mm bolt. If you remove the Oil Pressure sender next to the filter it really easy.

Is it shuddering/missing while driving? The wire would short out some time while driving and buck then "unshort" to ground and start running again. If its never done this I would think its not the wire.

As far as battery not sure. Mine was doing that but thought is was my son leaving key in or light on and maybe a bad battery. I put a new battery and check the current draw. Key out was about .05-.1 amp with key in it was 1.2 amps. Please update us on fix.

 

[cruzerDave]

FWIW I have had zero problems starting or running (so far) and this is just spastic clicking of the EFI relay under the hood, sometimes it does it sometimes no, and then the weird 'door chime while no keys are in ignition'... Thanks @jerryb I will try that, but anyone else able to confirm/suggest alternate problems it might be?

Any fuse I could remove to keep truck from draining the battery if it is something in the ignition switch? (I pulled the crazy EFI relay and fuse last night)

 

[jerryb]

read this EFI Relay, ignition clicking/dead battery solution!!! - Lexus IS Forum

 

[cruzerDave]

Ordered the switch today, in tomorrow, but wouldn't you know it the problem has gone away...

 

[jerryb]

if you put the new one in, and take apart the old one and snap a pic that would be awesome. I wonder how worn the inside contacts are.

 

[cruzerDave]

Plan for the moment is to through the replacement into the drawers and wait to see if it starts up again, long list of things to do and I did NOT need this right now... sucha s the passenger window that just broke it's mount. I would prefer to do the switch and the ignition bracket at the same time, but that's another $300 <sigh> My FJ62 never gave me this grief ;(

But when I do it yes I will snap some pics and post back here