What's that sound? that's my wife's 4runner not starting 4 hours before we were supposed to leave.

Armchair mechanics with any guesses?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BFDVYhspZ0&feature=youtu.be

I'm working on getting my OBD reader to communicate with the computer, but I have doubts it will bring any codes.

What year is it? What engine?

Almost sounds like it skipped timing.

Maybe the rotor came loose under the distributor cap?

2002 toyota 4runner, timing belt 15k ago. 5vz-fe. 201k on the clock.

Pull the cap, check that the rotor is properly affixed and not freewheeling, then pull a plug and sit it on exposed grounded metal with the wire on to check for spark.

Stupid question, does it have gas?

I would have kept on cranking, it sounded like it almost started at one point.

Remove all sparkplugs and see what they look like.

No cap & rotor, ignition coils instead. half a tank of gas. no codes. my thought is fuel. if its the fuel pump I'm screwed.

Spray some starting fluid (or whatever) in and see if it catches for a moment? Maybe fuel pump or pump relay maybe?

lnlogauge wrote: No cap & rotor, ignition coils instead. half a tank of gas. no codes. my thought is fuel. if its the fuel pump I'm screwed.

If fuel is the problem (validated by starting fluid test and/or by checking for spark) start by checking the fuses and relays. Much easier to replace than the pump.

Finally, if you can get to the pump easily (sometimes there is access under the rear seat or something) you can tap on it a few times... I wouldn't take off on a road trip like that though...

Do the easiest checks first.

sounded like it wanted to fire for a sec. Start with the basics - spark, fuel & timing. Anything change overnight? Check the electrical circuits. Cross fingers for a bad fuel pump relay.

Back to basics, check for spark, preferably with a timing light to verify it's happening when it should be. This will also give a big clue if it jumped timing. Then move on to fuel, either with a spray bottle of gasoline/starting fluid(I don't like starting fluid), or with a pressure gauge, then noid light to see if the injectors are firing.

Have you tried giving it some throttle while cranking? Classic Toyota sticky IAC?

I didnt have anything to spray in the intake, so I thought to remove the line off the fuel filter, and see what kind of mess it left. The guide I read said to pull the relay, so did that and had a great mess of fuel under the car.

Next to the fuel relay, was an identical relay to something else. Swapped it in the place, and the car started right up. I got lucky. thank you for the direction!

Nice work. Now you have a huge trump card when 'someone' complains that 'you have a car problem'.

Good Job!! Be safe on the road....

I even had time to replace the rediculously warped rotors and pads today. With the new starting feature this afternoon (courtesy of a 9.00 relay) and the steering wheel not trying to kill you when you have to touch the brakes, I really love that car.

The best place to find a new fuel pump relay is inside your glove compartment.