93 V6 Starting Problems

[wbrown05]

I have a 93 pickup with a V6 and 180,000 miles. I've had a starting problem for about 10 months. At random, my truck will not start. It turns over without a problem, but it just won't start. When it starts it runs excellent. When it doesn't start (about 3 or 4 times a week) the "Check Engine" light is not illuminated on the dash. (If you notice when you start your truck the "Check Engine" light is illuminated when you turn the ignition on and while the engine is cranking over; it disappears once the engine starts.) Every time the "Check Engine" light behaves normally (is illuminated while cranking) the engine starts . Every time the "Check Engine" light is not illuminated while cranking the engine does not start . The "Check Engine" light sometimes starts illuminated but disappears while the engine is cranking - the engine doesn't start. It has never left me stranded (adventually I get it started), but the problem prevents me from driving the truck too far from home.

The "Check Engine" light is the best clue I have found in 10 months of searching for the problem, but I don't know what it means. I have replaced the ignition switch and a fuel system relay on the passenger side behind the glove box (forgot what it was called). I've not seen any trouble codes from the ECU. I've been told it could be the fuel pump or the ECU; both are expensive.

I would really, really, really like to get this problem solved. My truck runs great...when it starts. Please Help!

[Sidney]

About half of the ECU codes stored on the first & second generation EFI Toyotas don't show a constant blinking check engine light therefore you must pull the ECU codes to see if a fault is registered.

To pull the ECU codes:

All 1980-1995 and including 1995 EFI equipped vehicle allow you to find engine and related faults by pulling the ECU (computer) codes without the need for a handheld OBDII diagnosis scanner,the sites listed below have the fault codes needed to pull the codes and the instructions on how to do it:

http://autorepair.about.com/library/...bl-dtcs-36.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/...bl-dtcs-53.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/...bl-dtcs-71.htm
http://autorepair.about.com/library/...bl-dtcs-90.htm
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/codes/index.html
http://cengineering.com/TechNotes/TechNote12.htm
http://lcengineering.com/TechNotes/TechNote13.htm
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/P...ct/Engine.html
http://www.mad-mechanic.com/toyota/t...tml#obtaincode
http://www.freewebs.com/th3duke/22RE-ECU.mht
http://www.troublecodes.net/Toyota/
http://members.igateway.net/~pscott/enginecodes.html
http://www.autobook.co.kr/data_links...des.htmhttp://
http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/h27.pdf
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/inf...E/Page0096.htm
http://www.efisakh.narod.ru/at_toyota.htm
http://www.usatransdoctor.com/foreigntoyota.htm

Pulling the ECU codes is the first thing I do to diagnosis a problem thereafter I reset the ECU to see if the same problems show up and if so I then take voltage measurements both with the engine running and not and compare with the factory service manual,I also close the ignition switch after a cold engine and also after a warm engine and compare them with the factory service manual.This technique will completely isolate your problem without having to do trial and error and it is the technique I use when repairing tv's,vcr's,home/car audio.

Sidney® ™
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek@yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,solid front straight axle,factory cruise control,sunroof,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 244 000 KM