Folks,

I have searched the forum but have not found my exact problem, if someone has and can link me to it, that would be great. Otherwise, please lend whatever advice you may have...
I have a 2001 4Runner 4WD with 245,000 miles, 3.4L V6. Yesterday I stopped at a yard sale, and when I went to leave, it started for a second, then died. I cranked it over again, and it began to start but didn't stay running. During subsequent attempts, it just cranked but showed no signs of starting. I let it sit for about 10 minutes, and it did the same thing (acted for a second like it was going to start on the first crank,then just cranked without starting). I towed it home and tried to start it with starting fluid, but it still would crank and not run (not even for a second or two). Even so, I replaced the fuel filter and verified that the fuel pump was working during that process. I have replaced the spark plugs and plug wires, and verified that spark is being produced. I replaced the battery and EFI relays, but to no effect. I checked the timing belt, and all is OK there. I have a Haynes manual, but it doesn't have further test/diagnostics other than what I have done. Any more troubleshooting I can do?

 

Sounds like it could be something simple. Did you check all your grounds and fuses? If your starting system is all good, but it won't run, then you are lacking fuel/spark somewhere. Is it throwing a code? I am far from an expert, just throwing some things out there.

 

I did check all electrical connections, and they all seem to be OK. Hooked up an OBDII scanner and got 2 codes: P1125 Throttle Control Circuit Malfunction and P1128 Throttle Control Motor Lock Malfunction. If you guys have seen this and or fixed it before,let me know. I am still searching to find how to correct this. Thanks!

 

Sounds like the throttle position sensor to me.

 

The Throttle Control Motor is part of the throttle body on the drive-by-wire systems, IIRC.

Hopefully, some one will chime in with the diagnostic.

OP, have you tried cleaning the throttle body?

May be of help:
http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13283

 

Here you go

 

Do you have the same for the drive-by-wire 3.4 throttle body?

 

Thanks for docs and advice guys. I removed the air intake and it's pretty dirty, so tonight I am going to clean that up. The butterfly valve I can see in the throttle body does not move when I push on it, but perhaps since it has a motor attached it's not supposed to? Anyway, I am going to clean it first, then if that doesn't do the trick, I'll replace the TPS and see if that helps. If you guys have another opinion, by all means, let me know. I saw the thread that rworegon gave a link for, and not sure if my Accelerator Pedal Position sensor is bad, but after reading that post, I certainly hope not

 

Here we go, this should be able to help you/OP diagnose/fix problem.

EDIT: Just to help somebody find this in the future via search. These are FSM documents for 2001 4Runner for codes p1125 and p1128. These are: P1125 Throttle Control Circuit Malfunction and P1128 Throttle Control Motor Lock Malfunction.

 

The adventure continues: last night I removed the throttle body and gave it a good cleaning. I also checked the TPS and Pedal sensor with my multimeter and both checked out OK. I reinstalled the body and then was able to get the engine to start, but not without pressing the pedal, and cranking for a long time. Once started, the engine ran very rough. I pulled codes and got a P0320 crankshaft position sensor circuit failure. I will be investigating that after work today. Again, if you guys have any comments or suggestions, they are appreciated!

 

The trouble codes chart for 2001 4Runner doesn't show a code P0320. The crankshaft position sensor circuit failure code is P0335. Either way, here's the FSM docs on it, hopefully these will help you out:

 

My apologies, I was trying to post from memory...the code is P0340, CAMSHAFT position sensor (not crankshaft). I have been reading that it is connected via the timing belt cover (which I loosened to check the belt the other day). I may have loosened or disconnected it by accident. Do you guys happen to have a pic of where exactly it's located?

 

Here's more information. The components location pages will show you where it's located. Random tech tip also.

 

The connector in this picture is where I suspect your problem is, not the sensor itself.

 

Thanks for the info and pics, guys! I went home for lunch, and before I read the latest from 98SR54RUNNER, I checked the connector for the camshaft sensor and it was connected as it should be. I disconnected it and inspected both the male and female connectors, and both looked OK. I checked the sensor with my multimeter and it showed 1150 ohms, which is normal (haynes says between 850-1400 ohms) so that seems OK too. I started it (took a bit to get it going) and it idled very rough. So I disconnected the battery to reset everything and went inside. I saw the post from 98SR54RUNNER and the bit about it running rough post power loss. So I reconnected the battery and started it up and let it idle for about 20 mins, at which time it was still idling roughly. It also is still throwing the P0340 code. What do you guys think?

 

When was the timing belt last changed?
Is the crank bolt torqued to spec?

 

The timing belt was last changed about 40k miles ago, not sure about the bolt torque. I have not set the timing before (on any vehicle), is there a way to tell if my timing is off? I have ordered a CPS even though mine has the proper resistance. I'll post when I put it in (I mail ordered it, so it'll be a couple days).

 

Make sure the EFI fuse isn't blown or loose.

 

Fuses are all OK, thanks for the tip. I am wondering about the ECU since the CPS checks OK. have any of you Checked and/or replaced one of those in the past? Where is it located?

 

My 2002 4runner , 70k miles, would crank this am, but would not turn over. Sounded as if the starter wasn't engaging (as if no load on the starter). After a few tries it turned over. I cleaned the butterfly , which was dirty, and it's been starting. No codes. Everything is original. After the butterfly clean my idle rpms are staying at 1k instead 700. Any thoughts? New to the site...thanks.