01 Tacoma won't run

We just purchased a 2001 Tacoma , 80,000 miles, 2wd, double cab, with new frame. The check engine light came on. Toyota told us we needed to replace catalytic converters. We had the truck tuned up first. Then we drove about 20 miles. Shut the truck off. and it would not start. We had the converters replaced but it still won't start. Any ideas??

 

Have you checked all your fuses/relays under the hood? have you tried disconnecting your battery?

 

Will it turn over?

 

How did it run before you shut it down ? I had to change my o2 sensor when i changed my front cat , but that would not make the truck not start. we need more info to diagnose over the web.
Does the engine turn ?
does it have fuel ?
fuel filter plugged ?
Is there spark ?
Do you like gladiator movies ?

I only play a mechanic on TV. and it is a public access channel no one watches.

 

First off, did you replace the converters with 50 state cats? or 49 state? or toyota cats?
Sounds like something more immediate than cats, they wouldn't prevent it from starting. Does it crank?

 

Its ok, I'm not a real doctor, but i play one on tv!

 

Does it walk?



Sorry couldn't resist. Welcome to TW. I would check the fuses. I don't know where you got yours but when my parents got mine from the dealer used it had three fuses blown.

 

Here is the scoop...we went out of town to buy this Tacoma. We found the faulty frame and the old owner took it to Toyota to put the new frame under it. We then purchased. On the way home ( bout 100 miles into 350 mile trip) the check engine light came on. We continued home. Truck run just fine. We drove around town for a few days. We then took it to Toyota to have some "frame related" issues looked at. They said the check engine light was due to the cat converters. We continued to drive a bit more. Took it to local mechanic. He fixed emergency brake, front brakes and tuned it up. We had unhooked the battery several times and the engine light kept coming back on. We picked the truck up after tune up.. When we romped on it...it ran up to speed nice and then it kind of choked a bit. We made about 3 stops and after the 3rd stop.....it would turn over fine, but would not start. Went back to local mechanic. He unhooked the cats and it would start and run but it would not stay running. There was no power so had to tow it on a trailer. We then hauled it to the local exhaust shop. They said the old ones had 6-8 pounds of back pressure so they replaced with 50 state cats. Nothing changed...It will start but will not stay running. Fuses were checked before the cats were replaced, and we have not disconnected battery since then either.

 

Before taking any steps could you please have the truck scanned for any current codes, and let us know what they are? There are way too many possible issues that could cause a crank-won't-start problem. I would suggest that you do one thing: Ask the previous owner (if possible) to see if there is an aftermarket alarm system on the truck. Also, you mentioned that it will start, but won't stay running. How long does it run? If it starts, runs for a second or two, then dies, then it could be a security issue.

 

I would check the throttle body and clean that. May not be the problem but it never hurts to check it

 

The exhaust shop scanned for problem codes and no codes came up. When this truck would start it would run for a second or two but it would run horribly! Not sure on the alarm but will try and call the previous owner.

 

NEVER hurts to clean something. Especially when it has some miles on it.

 

EGR valve could be stuck open (rather rare) causing a huge vacuum leak. You'd have to remove it to verify.

Sure would be nice to know the code

One thing you could do, is disconnect one of the vacuum lines to the TB (before the throttle butterfly), attempt to start it, and have a friend spray starter fluid into that port so see if it keeps running. If it sorta keeps running, then its a fuel problem, otherwise its ignition.

 

Well....good news and bad news......we took the truck to Toyota and they found a loose ground strap that grounds the computer and it was not properly tightened. They tightened it and it runs perfect!!!! now the bad news......while the truck was at Toyota...a customer backed into it!!! Oh, the dilemas we get into.....While we were waiting for the frame to get done....the truck got hailed on!!! Was this meant to be??? Ha! Thanks for all the advice!!!! I guess we also know now why there was no codes to be read.

 

wow, I would be red hot by now. Broke down, Hailed on, and backed into. hopefully the customers insurance and toyota will be taking care of both issues. If its in the dealers possession and it gets hailed on, is that on you or them?

I have insurance for this sorta thing but what if the person didnt. Would/ is toyota taking care of the hail damage?

 

wow thats shitty. When it rains, it poors!

 

We did receive a check from the dealership insurance for the $3000 for the hail. They did not want to get involved in the customer back in situation. They got a phone number for us of the customer. He called us and admitted guilt but claims he is not at fault, if that makes sense. We were no where close to the dealership at the time so it for sure was not our fault. ha By the way, the damage done on the back into is over $1000.00!!! Good thing we love Toyotas!!!!

 

BS he wasn't at fault! That kinda stuff ticks me off. Contact his insurance and yours. Do you have uninsured motorists? Your insurance doesn't want to pay up especially if it's the other persons fault, they would get an investigation going to point out who is at fault.

 

The dealership should have a Garagekeepers Insurance policy that might cover the damage from the customer backing into you.