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Misfiring, loss of power, abnormal engine vibration

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Ron1284, Sep 18, 2011.

  1. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:05 PM
    #1
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    Hi all, been trying to fix this problem with my lady's truck, but having troubles.

    She's got an 01 Tacoma, 2.4 litre engine, with about 146k miles, but it was rebuilt a while ago. She complained to me that it was running really bad, and that the engine was shaking and it was having trouble off the line, with the CEL on, and sometimes flashing on/off. So naturally, I take it for a drive and can't duplicate the problem, and it seemed like the problem went away. It did it again a day later, so I told her to take it to a local shop to have the OBD codes pulled off so could figure out what to do with it. They told us the codes were:

    P0304 - Cylinder 4 Misfire
    P0110 - IAT Sensor Circut
    P1300 - Igniter Circuit Malfunction - No. 1.

    To duplicate the problem, I have to drive it for a little bit, park and then get back in the car after about ten minutes. Like, going to the grocery store for just a few items. The shop we took it to recommended a new IAT sensor, new coils for cylinders 1 and 4, and a new fuel filter. Then, out of nowhere, the problem went away and was fine for almost eight months. We drove to Mammoth lakes, Los Angeles, everywhere. It was for all intents and purposes, problem free again.

    Then the problem resurfaced out of nowhere. So I got the write up out and bought the parts they recommended. I replaced the MAF and the coils, but the problem persists. Sometimes it starts fine, and sometimes it starts rough. I put in new spark plugs, and the air cleaner was changed recently as well.

    Anyone got some diagnostic tips for me to try to pin down the problem? I got a multimeter, so I can check the electronics, but I don't know electronics very well, so I don't know what to check and what my measurements will tell me.

    Thanks a lot, folks.
     
  2. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:08 PM
    #2
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    almost sounds like a wire or connector loose something. ever had a detailed diagnostic scan? not from an auto parts store with a 200 dollar computer.
     
  3. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:12 PM
    #3
    newertoy

    newertoy Well-Known Member

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    2" lift AAL and Bilstiens-front-rear,front diff drop. main drive drop
    Have the plug wires been replaced???
    Does wet weather make a difference?
    My wifes four banger had similar problems--had a bad wire.
    At ten years old--it might be time to change them.
    It ran REALLY ROUGH--and NO POWER.
     
  4. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:27 PM
    #4
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    We get a lot of fog here where we live. A LOT. The first time the problem came up, it happened during a tremendous rainstorm. Lately, it's just been really foggy in the morning.

    If it is the wires, how do I test them?

    Would replacing the wires make a big difference, it has a coil over each spark plug.
     
  5. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:29 PM
    #5
    UndefinedTaco

    UndefinedTaco I'll eat all your food.

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    It's an 89 Toyota Pickup. I got some stuff done to it.. FJ axles going under it soon.
    Has it ever overheated? Whats clearance on valves?
     
  6. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:30 PM
    #6
    krimson

    krimson Nothin

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    If my truck was misfiring like that, the first thing I'd check would be the coil packs, and the injector.
     
  7. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:36 PM
    #7
    98_Mud_bug

    98_Mud_bug 98_mud_bug

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    mine would run, but run rough. constant mis fire. replaced the plugs, and wires and all that. and it ended up bein the injector. that would be my next choice honestly.
     
  8. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:40 PM
    #8
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    What should I look for in checking the coil packs?
     
  9. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:41 PM
    #9
    RCBS

    RCBS How long you willing to tolerate this crap??

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    Harden your bark, there are storms on the horizon.
    Vehicle:
    Goodbye 06, Hello 21. TRDORDCSBMT
    Tornado intake, Duralube, Fartcan.
    X2.
     
  10. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:51 PM
    #10
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    I was thinking an injector could be the problem, but wouldn't that produce a code that would lead to it? and it's an intermittent problem. The new plugs I put in are turning black around the thread area, and some white deposits on the ground, but the electrode ceramic shield is still white. they're all looking the same.
     
  11. Sep 18, 2011 at 2:57 PM
    #11
    krimson

    krimson Nothin

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    Well visual signs of the coil pack is bad are: discoloring, housing cracks, bulges.

    To test it, swap the coil pack in the cylinder that is misfiring and replace it with another one that isn't.

    My old truck was having similar symptoms, one cylinder was misfiring and found out it was the coil pack.
     
  12. Sep 18, 2011 at 3:05 PM
    #12
    UndefinedTaco

    UndefinedTaco I'll eat all your food.

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    It's an 89 Toyota Pickup. I got some stuff done to it.. FJ axles going under it soon.
    I had the injectors cleaned, rebuilt, flowed and balanced on my old 99' 2.4...made a world of a difference. One was off by like 12% (cylinder 2..common)

    Bob over at Fuel Injection Corporation in Livermore is a great guy..real stand up..and to the truth. He will tell you if anything was wrong or not..and if you need the work done or not. He doesn't just take your money.

    Rebuild includes new baskets and o rings.

    $25 a injector. 1 day turnaround, 2 if they are busy.


    http://www.fuelinjectioncorp.com/
     
  13. Sep 18, 2011 at 3:34 PM
    #13
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    Anyway to test the injectors without pulling them?
     
  14. Sep 18, 2011 at 3:42 PM
    #14
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    ive seen my bro on a 22re do this. unplug injector take a light bulb and touch the wires to the injector wire and see if it pulses. thats how we determined my dads 4 banger was getting fuel because of a bad computer. maybe someone else can chime in on this idea
     
  15. Sep 18, 2011 at 3:58 PM
    #15
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    I know they said misfire on cylinder 4, but going from there how do I actually diagnose the misfire myself? Especially when its doing it off and on and all the plugs are showing the same deposits.

    pull the plug and put it in the coil and run it and see if its sparking?
     
  16. Sep 18, 2011 at 4:02 PM
    #16
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    check the injector on cylinder 4 you could also try swapping a coil pack from a cylinder thats not misfiring
     
  17. Sep 18, 2011 at 4:46 PM
    #17
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    How can I tell if the cylinder I'm swapping into is misfiring? I don't have an OBD scanner
     
  18. Sep 18, 2011 at 5:15 PM
    #18
    2000GTacoma

    2000GTacoma Well-Known Member

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    thought you had taken it and had the codes read?
     
  19. Sep 18, 2011 at 6:27 PM
    #19
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    Yes, I did have the OBD codes read. I know that cylinder 4 was/is misfiring--- but if I move that coil to cylinder 1, how would I know if the misfire moved or stayed? Moreover, the misfire persisted even after I replaced the coils on #1 and #4 with new coils.
     
  20. Sep 18, 2011 at 7:32 PM
    #20
    Ron1284

    Ron1284 [OP] Member

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    I'm no mechanic by any means, is this something I can do myself? I don't want to just go at it with a wrench and pray for the best, and realize I need or can't do something halfway through.

    I just went to the store, drove fine there. Came out, started up rough and not running on one cylinder. Then, about5 minutes from home, it started running on all 4 again, literally like a switch went on. CEL flashes when it's misfiring, and then lights solid when all 4 are running.
     

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