Intermittent Starting Problems & Check Engine Light!!! '91 Previa LE AWD

Let the updates continue...

So after installing new contacts (which were very worn after a year of hard starts) the starting problem still exists. The next attempted fix will be replacing the entire distributor assembly (as per Tim's pick up coil suggestion), after the long weekend (up here in Canada).

Will continue to post, probably on Wednesday...

Ari

We are having this exact problem in our '92 Previa. We have replaced the starter, the fuel pump and the distributor. (We didn't do it - a mechanic has done it BIG $$$ and we're about to say forget it!):dizzy: If you should "miraculously" get this problem fixed please e-mail me @ Countrylane1950@earthlink.net. Thank-you and best of luck to you!!!

Got my van back. Turned out to be the exhaust issues but also a faulty fuel pressure sensor combined with an electrical short. $150. Wish I had none that before replacing the distributor, starter, battery and fuel pump. Expensive lesson learned.

Thanks. Not sure my husband made it back home or not. He had just experience the "it won't start" issue before lunch and this is after we have just picked the van up from the mechanic on Saturday! When, (notice I didn't say "if)" we have to take it back to the repair shop I will print out these posts and let them see your final answer. Hope you're truly "repaired"! :lol:

Thanks. Only problem is that I'm on edge right now anticipating the same fate your husband is experiencing. That has happened to me too many times. I just can't help it at this point. It willtake at least a month before I trust that van completely.

Well, it happened before he made it home. It shut down as he was driving down the road but restarted. Happened again after he made a stop. He made it back home and then drove it work last night without it shutting down. :cry: I really think we should get rid of this vehicle before it gets rid of him (I WILL NOT DRIVE IT!) I'm not sure my confidence will ever be regained! Hope you have better luck this time! :lol:

By far the most common reason for this problem is corrosion on the fusible link box (as pictured/explained near the beginning of this thread). Has he checked for this yet?

No,:no: but I'm going to print this info out (along with the pictures) and have him look. If he doesn't I'll ask the mechanic to look. I have two old mercedes (300d) and I've had a few issues but nothing like this.:dizzy: I finally (and it took forever because he wanted to trade up for something NEWer) convinced my husband that finding an old vehicle that's been "proven reliable", buying it cheaper than a newer used car and putting the $$ into changing belts, etc. and then maintaining it is MUCH better - due to lower personal property taxes etc. (the county we live in doesn't charge any PP taxes after the vehicle is deemed "high mileage"). Sorry I get on a soapbox. Anyway I read about the Previa and it seemed to fit the bill for reliability. Hubby needed something to more easily transport his mom, who lives, with us and is in a wheel chair. Now I'm not so sure about the Previa. I owned a Corolla and it gave very good service. Thank-you for the info and I'll be sure we check it out. :yes:

No new news to report, my mechanic is away till early next week and although I have bought a "new" distributor, it won't be installed till the end of the month. I will post then, as results (or lack of them) come in...

Ari

I will have to say that a new distributor did not fix it. We just had one put on last week and we still have the problem. Husband tried "whacking" the fuse box this AM and van started after that. He's going to look inside the fuse box later to see if that's the problem that was suggested in an earlier entry.

Hello Again!

So I haven't made headway with the starting issue due to my mechanic being away and not wanting to mess things up with the distributor and timing on my own, so I've been keeping busy with the front end work and the Check Engine Light - which is why I'm posting...

The C.E.L. is now throwing out 3 codes.
The first code relates to the starting problem - it is a Code 12 and I am working through that
The second code is a Code 25 - O2
and the third code is a Code 26 - also O2

I'm thinking that I need to remove and clean both O2 sensors to start with, and clear the codes to see if they return. Tim, I seem to remember that you've seen the 2 codes together before, can you refresh my memory as to what the problem was for you when they came on together?

Thanks,

Ari

Now that you've read codes, clear them and check again after you've driven it. If they come back then replace the sensor(s) the code(s) indicate to be the problem. For o2 sensors www.sparkplugs.com is a good place to purchase them. The Denso ones they sell are exactly the same as OEM Toyota but cost a lot less.

BTW, I have not experienced these two codes at the same time, but that would not change the way I would deal with it. Personally I think it would be a waste of time to try cleaning these type sensors. Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by terbennett

Got my van back. Turned out to be the exhaust issues but also a faulty fuel pressure sensor combined with an electrical short. $150. Wish I had none that before replacing the distributor, starter, battery and fuel pump. Expensive lesson learned.

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Hey TerBennett,

Could you please be a bit more specific about the "fuel pressure sensor" and the short? I've looked for a part matching that description but cant find anything. If my latest attempt with the distributor does not work I'll be pursuing this option...

Thanks in advance,
Ari

Okay. For everyone who is having this intermittent starting problem - we found what our problem was. Tims (Timsrv) earlier entry with pictures turned out to be exactly what was wrong. My husband wasn't sure if he had ever paid any attention to the "check engine" light when he was trying to restart van. After I printed out Tim's answer he paid attention. Sure enough the "check engine" light wasn't working when the van wouldn't start. When I tapped the fuse box with a screwdriver handle the light would come on. Husband could crank van. I would tap again and the light would go off. Van would not crank. Anyone having this problem should check it out. Also the cable running to the fuse box is corroded. Both need to be replaced. Now to find both at a junk yard. The mechanic quoted ~ $1400.00 for both. Anybody have some spares they'd like to sell! Have fun and check that fuse box - especially you Ari! (We also replaced all those parts you have replaced - but we had a mechanic do it - about $1500.00 worth of work).

:lol: :rol: :yes:

Alright!! Finally, the big problem seems to be solved, and I am STOKED!!!

Regarding the intermittent starts (after running the van for more than ~20mins, once turned off the van would NOT start again until it had cooled for .5-1.5hrs), yesterday my backyard mechanic replaced our Distributor with one from a wrecker on the theory that the Distributor Coil may not be functioning correctly, and it seems to have done the trick!

After the "new" part went in and the codes were cleared, we were able to drive it, and stop and start and restart as needed, just like it's supposed to. Hooray!! After a month of not being able to do that, having replaced a whack of parts (listed below) - (all at cheap prices thanks to a local wrecker and Rockauto.com) we are damn happy now!

We're still getting 2 back to back codes (25 & 26) so my next "fix" attempt will probably be the O2 sensors (unless there are other suggestions - and I will call my local Toyota dealer to chat and clean the MAF/O2 sensors before I order parts), but in the meantime it's running strong and starting fine.

Parts we replaced(R)/checked(C) relating to the starting:

Starter Contacts (R) - $280 including installation of distributor/timing check
Spark Plugs (C) - my own time
Dist Cap/Rotor (C) - my own time
Plug Wires (C) - my own time
Distributor (R) - The Culprit! $100 @ wrecker
Igniter (R) - $35 @ wrecker
Igniter Coil (R) - $40 @ wrecker
Fuse for Starting (R) - my own time
Fuel Filter (C) - my own time
Air Filter (R) - $8.50 Rockauto
Fuse Box (C) - my own time

Total cost: ~ $465
Total time: ??? Way too much by the time I factor in all the time I've spent online too!

Oh well. If it means that we get a reliable vehicle out of it and it runs great for the summer fall and winter, then next year maybe I'll attempt the lift kit!

Thanks everyone for all of your help...

:dance2: Ari :dance1:

That's awesome! You are the 1st person I know of that has had the pick-up coil in the distributor fail. But these rigs are getting old now and this sort of thing is going to become more common. It's good to have this documented so others that follow your path might have an easier time diagnosing and repairing. Thanks for your contributions to the forum (all of you) :thmbup:. Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by timsrv

That's awesome! You are the 1st person I know of that has had the pick-up coil in the distributor fail. But these rigs are getting old now and this sort of thing is going to become more common. It's good to have this documented so others that follow your path might have an easier time diagnosing and repairing. Thanks for your contributions to the forum (all of you) :thmbup:. Tim

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Tim, thank you so much for working with this couple to resolve this issue; as I have the same problem. I may have a timing issue also, but may opt to buy a new distributor to check out my problem of not starting after warm and having to wait for cool down before starting again. I cannot figure the temperature thing; unless the gap is changed in the pickups while hotter. What are youir thoughts? A new coil or o2 sensor before cat. con. have not solved the problem. My check engnie lite is lit when cranking, but no spart to plug. andy

Since you've already ruled out some things, my guess would be pick-up coil or igniter. I'd start looking for a donor Previa in a salvage yard to rob parts from (much cheaper that way). Good luck. Tim

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ahats

Tim, thank you so much for working with this couple to resolve this issue; as I have the same problem. I may have a timing issue also, but may opt to buy a new distributor to check out my problem of not starting after warm and having to wait for cool down before starting again. I cannot figure the temperature thing; unless the gap is changed in the pickups while hotter. What are youir thoughts? A new coil or o2 sensor before cat. con. have not solved the problem. My check engnie lite is lit when cranking, but no spart to plug. andy

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Have a similar problem with our 91... intermittent stalling, lack of starting... haven't dug into it yet, but in doing research last night, I found a reference somewhere to oil fouling the distributor due to the 'O' ring on the shaft failing. Zen Previa has a good description of this part and other issues it can cause- http://zenseeker.net/Previa/PreviaMaintenance.htm

I'd look at this 3.00 part before replacing the whole distributor, for sure...

Thanks tlight for that link. That's an awesome site. I'm going to post it on our front page. Tim