Ran out of fuel..Now won't Start!! - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

joy · 02-06-2005, 04:53 AM

Hello..I have a 86 Toyota 4x4 truck. I was driving up a very steep hill the other day, and my truck started to stall. I was low on gas, so I know that is why it stopped running. I pulled off to the side and went to get some gas. I put about 5 gallons in and tried to start it. It would turn over but not start. I sprayed some starting fluid on the filter and it "allmost" started, but didn't! I don't know what it could be! I am thinking it's the fuel pump. Is this pump in the gas tank? Is there a relay switch, or something of the sort I could try? I know VERY little about my truck. Thanks for any help.

***cam2Xrunner*** · 02-06-2005, 05:57 AM

An 86 had the 22re engine right? Fuel injected? If so just let the fuel pump cycle a couple of times by turning the key to the on possition for 10 seconds or less,and turn back to off. Repeat this a few times and then try to start it.

mikes451 · 02-06-2005, 09:10 AM

If you have a carburator (22r) the pump is on the front of the engine if fuel injected (22re)its in the gas tank.

F014tomcat · 02-06-2005, 01:58 PM

Yeah I was gonna say that too cam2xrunner. You want to turn the key to "on" but don't start.... leave it there for a few, then turn off again. Do that a couple of times to get the fuel back up to the engine.

texas12 · 02-06-2005, 03:28 PM

If it is fuel injected, the fuel pump will not turn ON by just turning the key to the ON position. It turns ON by detecting air movement at the MAF. The engine must be cranking for the fuel pump to deliver fuel.

joy · 02-06-2005, 10:37 PM

I tried to turn on and off but still did not start. Guess I need a fuel pump. I am not sure. Any more suggestions!? I do appreciate all the advice. Thanks again Joy

qsd-dan · 02-07-2005, 02:50 AM

First off, I don't know about 89-95 22re's, but 84-88 DO NOT cylce the fuel pump with the key on engine off. The fuel pump cycles on while cranking only.

However, there are two ways to cycle the fuel pump on manualy. With the key on, you can hold the MAF vane sensor open, or you can short out the fuel pump test connector, located under the hood on the drivers side, with a paper clip.

Let the fuel pump run for a minute or so and try cranking after that. It should fire right up if there is no issues with the fuel pump or fuel system.

jarrodH · 02-07-2005, 03:03 AM

I dont know too much about these toyota trucks either, seeing as how this is my first one and ive only had it for a month or so, so i dont know if what i am about to say applies.

Do these trucks have some sort of bleeder valve under the hood on or near the intake manifold or fuel rail? When i was borrowing my brothers chevy berretta a couple of years ago, it ran out of gas on me and even after i put about 6 gallons of gas in it, it would not start. Come to find out, there was a bleeder valve on the fuel rail. It looked like a giant valve stem. I had my father press that down while i cranked the engine and what happened is there was air in the line and the pump pushed all the air out until fuel squirted straight up, then he let go of it and the car started right up after that.

Like i said, i dont know if these trucks have anything similar or not. They probably dont, seeing as how they are designed better than american vehicles (IMO), but i just thought i would suggest it. You never know...

ILUVMYLILTOY · 02-07-2005, 09:48 AM

Does the truck have a carb or is it fuel ingected? If it is carbed I have a 86 Toyota that done the same thing I changed the fuel filter that is right beside the gas tank. That along with a good bottle of gas treatment

jeeperchris · 02-07-2005, 04:49 PM

I had a friend who had a similar problem. He had a bunch of junk on the bottom of his gas tank that was sucked up when it got really low. I would try replacing the fuel filter first as it is easy and in-expensive. Then go from there if that doesn't work. I would hate to see you pay all that money and spend all that time replacing a fuel pump if it isn't the problem.

joy · 02-11-2005, 11:15 PM

Thanks for all the help. I just got the fuel pump tested and it was bad. So got a new one and it is running fine! This Toyota Forum is great! Thanks again, Joy

4runnerrocker · 02-11-2005, 11:30 PM

my buddy ran his 88 4 runner out of gas. it blew his gas pump fuse. check that.

pcmentor · 02-19-2005, 03:05 AM

I have been wondering about this prob on fuel inj cars for a while. It either pops the pump fuse or the the pump burns out when run dry, no fluid to cool it. Any ideas?, Pete

qsd-dan · 02-19-2005, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pcmentor

I have been wondering about this prob on fuel inj cars for a while. It either pops the pump fuse or the the pump burns out when run dry, no fluid to cool it. Any ideas?, Pete

You hit he nail on the head! Fuel not only acts as a lubricant for the fuel pump, it also acts as a "coolant" to keep the pump cool. This is the reason why the tank should never drop below the 1/4 mark on EFI applications with the pump in the tank. Below the quarter mark, the pump is no longer submerged in fuel and begins to heat up well beyond its normal operating temperature. In extreme situations, immediate failure occurs. In most situations the pumps life is just reduced a little. However, during repeated instances of letting it get near empty, it adds up and the fuel pump eventualy craps out.