No check engine light (1 Viewer)

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Dec 27, 2018
Threads
28
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74
Location
Louisiana
I bought an 80 3yrs ago. Well long story short. It is running really bad. The mechanic tried to pull codes and it didn't show anything. I pulled the instrument cluster and there was no bulb in the check engine light spot. The previous owner removed all the pollution equipment from the LC. Do you think the bulb was taking out because of the removal of the pollution equipment. Would that have made the check engine light come on?
 
Most likely. I’d replace the bulb and go from there.
 
Most likely. I’d replace the bulb and go from there.
^^^^^

This.

Then pull the EFI fuse under the hood for 5 minutes. Reinsert and start up.

Pulling the fuse will clear all previous codes and reset your ECU to relearn.

It may run really rough at first and hunt for rpm, but it should settle down after a few minutes.

Then drive it and see what codes it sets.

When you turn the key to the "RUN" position before you start, the CEL should be on to show the computer is in a ready state to start.

Then, after starting, it may come on right away or force t may take some driving to set codes.

Drive it for a few days and with some distance if possible to force it to set codes so you can address all of them.

Your 94 truck is OBD 1, so there are fewer aftermarket readers available. The one @Desert Dino mentioned in the other thread is the most common.
 
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yup, bad ECU. early trucks had a bad batch that was later updated.

i have some ECUs if you want to fix it correctly.
 
I couldn’t find any dates inside the drivers door jam. I looked on the door and on the pillar aswell, nothing.
Would be in sticker that looks similar to this. Date is on top right in example picture.

010.jpg


I'm sure its late 1992/early 1993. Know bad ECU in that time frame for fzj80s. Lots of threads for that.
 
03/93 March 1993
Yup. The early 93 is known as a failure and it typically gives those codes and they seem to be insurmountable.

A 94 ECU will resolve the issue.

Order one (used) from @slow95z as he stated. You're in Canada, so it may take a bit.
 
i typically ship next day so i can get one sent your way as soon as tomorrow.
 
Hey guys I just got a 91 and it is having an intermittent won’t start issue. I swapped the efi relay. I was getting a CEL when turning the key to on but I no longer am. This is so frustrating I just got it back from a shop. This is the first Toyota that has ever given me trouble. I’m actually broke down in Boone NC Toyota dealer and they won’t help me out it’s unreal. My dog is in the truck. They seem to think it’s fuel pump. I try ether and it tries to start. When it cools over night it starts. Do I have a bad ecu also or what ughhhh. It seems to rough idle and not start after filling it with gas. I don’t know what else to do seems no one wants to work on these or don’t know anything about em. Thanks in advance for the help
 
Hey guys I just got a 91 and it is having an intermittent won’t start issue. I swapped the efi relay. I was getting a CEL when turning the key to on but I no longer am. This is so frustrating I just got it back from a shop. This is the first Toyota that has ever given me trouble. I’m actually broke down in Boone NC Toyota dealer and they won’t help me out it’s unreal. My dog is in the truck. They seem to think it’s fuel pump. I try ether and it tries to start. When it cools over night it starts. Do I have a bad ecu also or what ughhhh. It seems to rough idle and not start after filling it with gas. I don’t know what else to do seems no one wants to work on these or don’t know anything about em. Thanks in advance for the help
The shop that had it said they couldn’t read the obd 1 and I couldn’t get the paper clip to do anything
 
Hey guys I just got a 91 and it is having an intermittent won’t start issue. I swapped the efi relay. I was getting a CEL when turning the key to on but I no longer am. This is so frustrating I just got it back from a shop. This is the first Toyota that has ever given me trouble. I’m actually broke down in Boone NC Toyota dealer and they won’t help me out it’s unreal. My dog is in the truck. They seem to think it’s fuel pump. I try ether and it tries to start. When it cools over night it starts. Do I have a bad ecu also or what ughhhh. It seems to rough idle and not start after filling it with gas. I don’t know what else to do seems no one wants to work on these or don’t know anything about em. Thanks in advance for the help


First thing you should do is replace the fusible links. The parts cost should be less $20 and can be done in the parking lot with some basic tools.
 
Hey guys I just got a 91 and it is having an intermittent won’t start issue. I swapped the efi relay. I was getting a CEL when turning the key to on but I no longer am. This is so frustrating I just got it back from a shop. This is the first Toyota that has ever given me trouble. I’m actually broke down in Boone NC Toyota dealer and they won’t help me out it’s unreal. My dog is in the truck. They seem to think it’s fuel pump. I try ether and it tries to start. When it cools over night it starts. Do I have a bad ecu also or what ughhhh. It seems to rough idle and not start after filling it with gas. I don’t know what else to do seems no one wants to work on these or don’t know anything about em. Thanks in advance for the help
If it will start with ether, then it is most likely the VAF or Vane Air Flow on the intake. Open it up and do a diagnostic on the flap in there to make sure it has movement and that the movement creates the proper change in voltage on the output when moved.

The fact that you do NOT have a CEL tells you the computer does not have the proper inputs to allow it to start.

The VAF not operating will not allow the fuel pump to turn on. The fuel pump on these does NOT run until they see rotation of the engine ( @jonheld please verify for the 91)

Check your fuel pump relay. Common to fail when hot.

Check the ground wire on the ingitor on the LF inner fender.

Make sure that all your distributor wires are properly installed and routed.

You have spark.
You have airflow.
You need fuel. Something is prohibiting the fuel pump from operating.
 
Couple of thoughts.
If the ECU is not getting power, there will be no codes to read.
The fuel pump only runs when cranking the starter, not just with the key in the ON position.
The 3FE doesn't have a "fuel pump relay". It's called a circuit opening relay and it is fired from the starter circuit.
Without the CEL on, you have a 6000 pound paperweight. Have a look at the resources section and download the 3FE EFI troubleshooting flowchart.
 

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