LJ78 Prado 2LTE won’t start

[manaraja]

Aloha I’ve been having problems with my 91 Prado LJ78. A few weeks ago I was teaching my girlfriend how to drive standard, she kept stalling and then the truck just wouldn’t start. No cranking of the engine just one click after full turn of the key. I was still able to “pop the clutch” and it would start and run no problem. Thought it was the starter/solenoid so pulled both off and cleaned thoroughly, truck still won’t start. Now though, it’s not able to start when I pop the clutch. Batteries are fully charged, alternator is new, starter/solenoid clean. I’m really in a pickle here, any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

To be clear, does the engine turn over on the starter but not fire? Or is it totally dead (no cranking)?

If it cranks but does not fire, it's a fuel supply issue. If it does not crank at all, it's an electrical issue. Do lights still work in the car? Fuses all good?

 

[manaraja]

To be clear, does the engine turn over on the starter but not fire? Or is it totally dead (no cranking)?

If it cranks but does not fire, it's a fuel supply issue. If it does not crank at all, it's an electrical issue. Do lights still work in the car? Fuses all good?

No crank, lights/radio all working as well as fuses in the box driver side foot space. Not sure where the starter relay is so haven’t checked that yet.

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

There should be a heavy gauge (60A typically) fuse for the starter, which may be in the engine bay.

But the fact that the car no longer bump starts suggests that there may not be 12V getting to the fuel cut solenoid on the injection pump.

While there could be a separate fuel supply issue, the two things together would make me suspect something around the ignition switch, especially if there is an aftermarket immobiliser fitted.

 

[manaraja]

There should be a heavy gauge (60A typically) fuse for the starter, which may be in the engine bay.

But the fact that the car no longer bump starts suggests that there may not be 12V getting to the fuel cut solenoid on the injection pump.

While there could be a separate fuel supply issue, the two things together would make me suspect something around the ignition switch, especially if there is an aftermarket immobiliser fitted.

Thank you for the help!

 

[AirheadNut]

There is no fuse for the main starter cable, though it would be good to check the fusible links on the positive battery terminal to make sure they're all still in good shape and have full conductivity. Fusible link AM1 for the ECU and fusible link AM2 for the starter relay circuit. If you don't have it already you'll want to download these wiring diagrams: Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7q951ekgwtd3j1e66x4ds/90-92-70-Series-Wiring-Manual.pdf?rlkey=238nofjzt5d8ounalb0qvml10&e=1&dl=0

 

[manaraja]

Thank you for the help!

There is no fuse for the main starter cable, though it would be good to check the fusible links on the positive battery terminal to make sure they're all still in good shape and have full conductivity. Fusible link AM1 for the ECU and fusible link AM2 for the starter relay circuit. If you don't have it already you'll want to download these wiring diagrams: Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7q951ekgwtd3j1e66x4ds/90-92-70-Series-Wiring-Manual.pdf?rlkey=238nofjzt5d8ounalb0qvml10&e=1&dl=0

I’ll be sure to check those, thanks for the link!

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

There is no fuse for the main starter cable, though it would be good to check the fusible links on the positive battery terminal to make sure they're all still in good shape and have full conductivity. Fusible link AM1 for the ECU and fusible link AM2 for the starter relay circuit. If you don't have it already you'll want to download these wiring diagrams: Dropbox - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7q951ekgwtd3j1e66x4ds/90-92-70-Series-Wiring-Manual.pdf?rlkey=238nofjzt5d8ounalb0qvml10&e=1&dl=0

My bad - I assumed that the LJ would (like the Hilux) use normal fuses instead of fusible links on the positive feed.