[only toyotas]

hi there guys im havin a cow of a problem here.
i bought this cute 1989 pick up v6 3.0 /stick/4x4
it worked great 'till it died on me while driving up a small hill
the symtoms before were that it died on me as if it ran out of gas and after a couple of tries started.
but after a few days while driving it suddenly gave up it cranks nice now but dont start.fuel pump is ok fuel flow is ok too/ is not the battery cause is new is not the starter. i found the efi rely burned out since i have read some of your valuable instructions
is there anything else i should look for?
ah... a mechanic here told me that the computer went out cause it was not sendin any ground or ground pulses to the wiring that goes to the distributor
i need your help here guys
thanks a bunch

 

[Jayota]

So what else have you checked?

How about the timing belt?

 

[texas12]

Was your mechanic guessing or is there actually no voltage at the distributor. My first thought was the timing belt also, but maybe coil/ignitor if there is no spark.

 

[texas12]

By the way, I don't know if GOD is a registered user on this site. We would welcome his knowledge if he would like to join.

 

[only toyotas]

beautiful truck by the way and thanks a bunch for helping me out

there is good spark comming from the cable that goes in the center of the distributor (coil) but no action comming from the rest of the wires that come from the computer we took the whole distributor out cleaned it out also the cables and all but checking the wires that feed the distributor nothing there my mechanic believes it might be the computer not sending juice to the distributor.
i replaced the fuse from the efi cause it used to get super hot and also checked the o2 sensors cables but both are ok no signs of cables burned that might me shorting out the fuse
it crancks strong the battery is new but no start

hey thanks a bunch for taking the time to help me

 

[BrianJE]

probably need to find a new computer. Sorry

 

[Jayota]

You should be able to locate the 89 or close to factory service manual online. It will have methods of testing the ECU.

 

[only toyotas]

thanks a bunch guys i relly apreciate all your help

i got a new computer on it as of today but nothing i doubt is the computer.
i was told to check the distributor and the coil as well
well i did. the cable comming from the coil has juice on it (i tested it by putting it against the body of the truck) so that cable is fine.
i went in further chech the continuity of the spark going into the distributor and there is continuity from the center cable then i open the distributor and clean the ''piece that spins" all good there.
i also cleaned and check the continuity of the rest ot the internal metal contacts going out to the cables all good there too.
but once i mount the whole piece together no sparks go out on any of the exits.

please be good enough what other thing can i try on this thing.
thanks guys

 

[tacoman8tor]

There is a graphite rod in the center of the cap that rides on top of the rotor & delivers the spark from the coil. Turn the cap up & look, the rod is spring loaded, is it intact? does it go in & out freely? if not replace cap. While you've got the cap off, have someone crank the engine ( don't get zapped by the coil!) & do a visual inspection of the points & distributor cam, are the points opening & closing, is there a small spark when they open?

 

[only toyotas]

I got zapped guys !!!!!

TACOMAN8TOR
just as you said even though i was careful i did get zapped but what's good about it is that i found the problem i supercleand the crap out of the whole distributor and finally sparks were comming out of the distributor i also found a bad wire wich made me buy a whole set to be safe
the mechanic sugested to change the coil cause is not delivering a blue like spark (not sure if thats acurate)

what matters is that all you guys really helped out everyone who offered me advice with the problem and for thati am truly and sincerly thankful.
thank you very very much and god bless you all
sincerely
steven sanchez
[email protected]

 

[texas12]

A new distributor cap and rotor (that spinny thing in the middle) are very cheap. I would suggest replacing them.

 

[moldycheese]

TACOMAN8TOR
just as you said even though i was careful i did get zapped but what's good about it is that i found the problem i supercleand the crap out of the whole distributor and finally sparks were comming out of the distributor i also found a bad wire wich made me buy a whole set to be safe
the mechanic sugested to change the coil cause is not delivering a blue like spark (not sure if thats acurate)

what matters is that all you guys really helped out everyone who offered me advice with the problem and for thati am truly and sincerly thankful.
thank you very very much and god bless you all
sincerely
steven sanchez
[email protected]

So your mechanic said u need to change the coil because the spark isnt blue? is this the same mechanic that said the computer is fried WITHOUT checking the plug/wire/rotor combo, the cheapest things to check? Just because the spark isnt blue doesnt mean the coil is bad. Coils are usually a "work or dont" item. I wouldnt worry to much about it.

 

[Vicoor]

First, If you don't have any ground pulses going to the distributor, that is a good thing. the distributor houses the engine speed sensor (ne) and the engine reference sensor (g) these both send A/C voltage signals to the ECM. If there were a problem here there would be no spark.

You mentioned that the EFI relay was fried. This supplies power to the ECM. Turn on the ignition switch and see if the check engine light comes on. If it does then the ECM should be getting power. I say should because I have seen cars that the check engine light was rewired (usually because it was on all the time) to the charging sytem warning light so that it comes on with the key and goes off when you start the engine.

If the check engine light does not come on, you need to find out why before you go further.

The coil should produce a spark strong enough to jump at least a half an inch. I've seen coils (recently as a matter of fact) that would generate a spark only about .020". This won't start an engine. if it makes a spark but it is not strong enough (even with a good coil wire) then try a coil.

If you have a good spark from the coil, and not at the ends of the spark plug wires. As has been mentioned before look at the cap, rotor (spinny thing) and ignition wires.

If you have a good spark and it still won't start. check the fuel delivery. you mentioned that the fuel pump has good flow, but you didn't say anything about the pressure. You'll be needing to check that as well. Should be about 40psi.

It sounds like you probably should find someone who has some diagnostic skill to give you a hand.