TOYOTA 4RUNNER 3.4 CRANKS BUT NO START DIAGNOSIS

Today at the shop we had a 2000 Toyota 4 runner with a V6 3.4 engine. The truck ran just fine before the previous repair shop had replaced the timing belt. After the timing belt was replaced the truck would crank but would not start. After months of them trying to fix the problem by replacing unnecessary parts, they brought the truck to my shop. I figured the problem out in about 20 minutes. I hope you enjoy the video!
please like, comment and subscribe to the channel!

[@johnreid2837]

What I learned from your channel is I don’t know anything about cars anymore. But I still like it.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

You are the competent technician that found the solution to the problem. Somebody really screw up that crank timing gear.

[@spelunkerd]

When a new problem happens after working on a vehicle, it is almost always because of something the mechanic did. So I usually retrace my steps, which might have led to the discovery of the damaged reluctor wheel. Even with inadequate history you found the issue, great story.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thank you for watching!

[@jimjones1678]

You are bad ass brother!! I wish you were in my neighborhood. You would be my go to guy. I love your attitude and the way you sort though problems. Thanks for all the videos and content to help other people.

[@ricepadi29]

My t100 has been down for 6 years and during this virus lockdown I decided to give it another go and I found this video. I tore my truck down and sure enough I had 3 or 4 teeth broken off that gear. Thanks brother for the help!

[@vegaf2011]

Wish we had more honest mechanics like you man

[@MR-nz5pg]

1 in a 1000 of todays techs can do what this man did.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Mike R Thank you!

[@BASEM0D]

Buy a tool that tells you what's going on?

[@canadianclassicreg]

nick nichols buying a tool doesn’t mean shit , this dude had the knowledge to pinpoint the problem very quickly , while using his scanner. kudos to him we need more mechanics around like him. As he said the owner brought it to several mechanics that tossed parts at it guessing , where they could’ve had the exact same scanner but all they’re seeing is 2 squiggly lines. To top it off he said it was his previous mechanic who had dropped a hose clamp in the timing cover that caused all his problems. Not only that he knew the gap on the gear was for something, so ya not just a scanner def knowledge lmao

[@WellWisdom.]

More like One in a Million.

[@mikeburgan6350]

Great diagnosis! So what if he used a tool, it was his knowledge and expertise to know what the tool was saying. Ever use a timing light?

[@JoseRodriguez-qc5jr]

I hasn’t check that part yet hopefully that’s the problem , I will do it ASAP, last time I took my car to the Toyota dealer Champion in South Houston they ripped me off big time for a simple job and keep my car for two weeks, thanks for the video I really appreciated very much 👍

[@gyffjogofl7676]

This is exactly why i work on my own car. I can't imagine how much he paid before he got to you!

[@sparrovski]

Please come and work on mine. Too many know it all mechanics worked on mine and the problem still exists. I have had every checked but no one can tell me what is wrong.

[@sergrlaurent128]

00

[@dadefope80]

And that ladies and gentlemen is the reason why a visual inspection is so important!

[@sunilk1204]

What a great video and I'm glad that you are in Houston. Very soon you will be hearing from me. You are great at diagnosing and explaining it to the viewers.

[@manuellamas4747]

Good video. Lab scopes are very very important. They are the eyes in the industry. Great call

[@MetaView7]

You are amazing. Sorry to hear the owner went through two other mechanics and numerous replacement parts before coming to you.

[@billsmith2212]

I am a DIY and work on my own vehicles . Right away , it sounded off when cranking . If you heard pops from intake and/or exhaust , that is saying that it is out of time or a valve is burnt or stuck open . I also noticed that the tach never moved at all when it was cranked . I don't know if it does on that Toyota . How do they charge for parts and labor , when it DOESN'T fix the car ? They need to SETTLE on NET cost on the parts ONLY , NO LABOR - or be sued in small claims court . How do they get away with it ? I did miss the gas guage on empty . That could have also been a possible issue . Great fix Eric . Right to the problem and proved with the scope BEFORE replacing the bad gear . There is a video of a Chevy VAN . The engine was rebuilt at a machine shop . They put a V6 reluctor wheel on a V8 crank ! Then the fun began - AFTER it was installed ! It was found with a lab scope . Imagine the engine swap - in a VAN !!!!!!

[@faustogonzalez8397]

Awesome job, I like the way you went straight for the Cam and Crank signals they wont lie, so the customer was right , the belt was timed properly but faulty Crank signal (due to missing teeth) was not allowing to start. Keep up the great work.

[@montgomerybojangles8644]

Dude you’re a genius. You saved the life of that 4Runner.

[@JorgeRamirez-ig6tv]

Another great diagnosis from Eric!!!. No taking guesses or shoting in the dark....great video.

[@bryangrimshaw5607]

really good to see a methodical approach with no guess work. i've watched lots of your videos and i am impressed with your work.

[@dlaw8545]

You rock! Must be a master technician or you handled it like a pro.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thank you!

[@atlyvwire]

And THAT'S how you earn life time customers. Well Done!

[@tam1381]

Nice video.I enjoy the way you look at things. It's hard to fix stupid.

[@elgatogordo9523]

Cool find 👍 That’s exactly what happened on my 97 Camry. I accidentally dropped it and didn’t noticed one of the gear teeth went missing. I replaced the oil pump o-ring, seal, and crankshaft seal, started the engine and only ran for 5 seconds and immediately shut off. After scratching my head and trying to figure out what I did wrong, it was the dam timing belt gear ⚙️ was damaged. Quick trip to the junkyard, had the Camry running next day with no further issues 😁

[@bulldogsandlife]

I am so happy I stumbled upon this vid. Been trying to figure out for days what is the problem with my truck., I noticed in the pics I took before closing up the covers that it is missing 2 teeth next to each other right below the crank timing circle up top. So thank you so much, i never would of came to that on my own.thanks for the knowledge you share with us. Gonna order the part now :)

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Wow! That is awesome that this video helped you. Thanks for watching!

[@whocares4464]

Man i just didna timing belt and thought i had messed the timing up because my new belt didn't have timing marks! Everything was fine! Man I'm so glad that job is done

[@johndiaz7240]

Great stuff , I'm a old fart still adjusting his carb on a old Land Cruiser , this new trouble shooting blows my mind.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Thanks for the explanation as to why that gear had teeth missing! Who would have guessed.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thanks for watching!

[@caraudiosolutions]

Brilliant diagnosis 1 of my best car mechanics.

[@Silver_o]

Diagnosis is an art. 👌

[@nwatechnology4076]

Simply AMAZING and thorough troubleshooting skills using the proper technological tools and methods along with good old common sense which is not so common anymore! Great Job! 👍

[@froglegs4910]

Excellent true auto mechanic ! Great work !

[@SteveInterdonato]

Excellent. Expierence shows on this mechanic.. Great Job. ;-)

[@BearJangles]

Just to get the info out there... My sequoia recently stopped running, seemed like it was a fuel starvation issue... bad fuel pump... but it was not... then things seemed to indicate an ECU issue, but it was not... Finally after hours and hours over a few weeks, of tracing down the problem, I found the wires to the crank sensor had been damaged by the serpentine belt! Fixed them, and Bingo it runs!

[@radius8283]

Wow good job troubleshooting! Previous mechanic probably knew it but hid the issue

[@briandellafey]

Awesome videos man. Love your style of diagnosing problems.

[@moebassidji8306]

great job,hope you keep posting more often.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thank you! I will be posting more this weekend. Stay tuned!

[@TheWwong]

The timing belt idler pulley does not look like it was replaced because of the rust on it. Good work on finding the problem. Sir.

[@MrJgonzalez2]

I saw that on a Corolla from a loose bolt falling down, great find.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Awesome! Thanks for watching!

[@thebaldmechanichardatheari1124]

Good ole scope. Good read of the information.

[@azphilip1960]

Great video!! Great diagnosis!! Thanks for sharing!! 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ThePapo52]

My 4unner is doing the same thing you were explaining in the video

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Glad he brought it to you!!!

[@christleydacosta4747]

Very good job bro ..very good approach 👍

[@alexandrogiraud4737]

Excellent mechanic, thank you for video

[@travisjohnsalas4632]

Video was super helpful I would not have got mine fixed if it wasn't for this vid...

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Awesome! I'm glad I could help!

[@alexromero143]

Great job ,quick question ​I did an Engine swap from an 05 sequoia to my 05 tundra and now I have no fuel to rail do I have to swap ecu Also or what am I missing??@@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO

[@David-yh5po]

Thanks for sharing this video with us.

[@akuzoibrahim6355]

Thanks 👍 for your lectures sir

[@rustynutz466]

awesome video nice diagnosis

[@jaygodanoconnor787]

professor yu should name yu nuh play . i am a Mechanic also i learn a lotfrom yu great job bro

[@juniorjunior-sv2ut]

hello i have a problem with my 4 runner 98 there's a water hole that goes from the block to the intake since it explde on me and got everything wet after i reapir it it won't start , i replace the crank sensor, coils and still won't start since then i can't figure out what can be.

[@AntonioClaudioMichael]

Nice find 👌

[@smartchishaya1670]

Well done ,the power of an oscilloscope

[@Lmacdon610]

Very good diag. Thumbs up bro.

[@naushadali95]

Great information.super video

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thanks again!

[@MonstroLab]

This level of detective work by mechanics is rare. question i have similar backfire/no start symptom on my 5vz-fe but if I unplug the Cam Position sensor(brand new) it starts & runs ok. Does this sound familiar? Did this 4 runner run with Cam pos sensor unplugged? Thanks in advance! My $35 Amazon diagnostic computer is not as good as yours lol, it doesn’t show wave forms it just say “P0340 cam pos sensor”

[@exit9mastertec7]

Great video small details

[@EdColbert-q9z]

My 2000 4runner had the same symptoms. But mine also had the red security light blinking as I cranked it. Turns out I had forgotten that I had dropped my replacement ignition key on the concrete earlier. It came apart in 3 pieces. I put it back together and thought nothing of it until an hour later when I Inserted that key and turned it to start. Again it cranked fine but wouldn't start. Now I'm thinking my issue is that key not the engine. I found an old original key, took it out to the 4runner and bingo...it started right up! I will now pay attention to the red security warning light.

[@Sam-yv9gy]

Hi mine shows p0171 and it does have a starting issue the same like the one you have what do you think is the problem a Mechanic told me the Toyota always goes bad with the fuel regulator and he didn’t have a good scanner like yours

[@joeltoups]

My 07 4Runner is doing the same exact thing when I try to start it, it cranks and cranks and cranks but never turns over and fires up the engine. In your opinion, what could be wrong that is causing this issue and how can I fix it!? Thank you

[@train4905]

Superb sir.well done.

[@m.b.smoshitoa8325]

Hi Eric, I didn't do machanic but I think I start to understand. When you did your cam crank correlation the signals seems to be sine wave. I just don't understand because I expected it to be square waves because of the tooth as they come and pass Moshitoa ( south Africa

[@chmva2000]

Hello! Nice video, thank you! I have a v6 88 Toyota 4Runner. There is no work on the engine recently. Checked the compression and is between 160-180, not sure if it’s good or bad….my complaint is that my truck starts only with starting fluid. If I turn it off it will only crank but no start unless I apply starting fluid. It straggles to start and when it does, engine is unstable, no strength to move forward, fumes smell toxic…I don’t think I have issues with the timing….any suggestion? Please advice. Thanks much!

[@OGLoneRanger]

I have a 99 4runner that sat for 4yrs and have replaced the pump and sock in tank. I have fuel and spark it acts like it wants to crank for a split second and then nothing so pulled plugs changed them same so pulled all the plugs and they are wet rolled engine over and seems like getting too much fuel. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated not much out there on this topic Thanks

[@sarahmays4927]

I've got a 2000 model 4runner and it got hot and shut off on me BC apparently my temperature hand isn't working and when it cooled all the way down I went to crank it so I could put water in it and it's doing the exact same thing the vehicle in this video is doing what do you recommend it might be

[@gamingplaysedmongamingtime2039]

Hi. I have a 2001 Lexus ls430 with throttle response issues. It’s acting like it’s in lips mode. You have to slowly push the pedal to be able to drive it. If you revert it sputter almost want to die. Any idea of what to look for or diagnose? Would appreciate if you have any recommendations.

[@tHeyCaLlMeHeAvYj]

I have a 97 toyota 4runner. Same engine, 3.4 I keep getting CEL p1300 runs fine for 20 minutes then check engine light comes on and it just shuts off. I've changed all kinds of parts. No luck.... any suggestions?

[@ricardoricardo6562]

Great Video! Excellent*

[@technometricglk9252]

thanks for info i have same problem one of my teeth was bent good job

[@thomaswirth5226]

Can you pull the crank position sensor and look through the hole, turn the engine over by hand, inspect the teeth on the reluctor wheel? I'd use a borescope or phone if it is impossible to see directly.

[@montyholland3357]

Man I need a mechanic like him around.... I was jump starting my 4runner. The cables got crossed. Burnt the main relay. Replaced but still won't start. Turns over now but not firing. Was firing before hand.. idk what it might be

[@ranchoelocote8325]

I had the same problem did you ever figure out the issues ?

[@RickyBatista]

I shall call you the Car Whisperer

[@Billy-hw8mv]

If one has a live stream obd2 reader you can pass a magnet across the crank or cam sencer, and it will be picked up on the scanner

[@michaelhanglow5051]

Nice find.

[@hunkydude322]

That's pretty neat how you interpret those wave forms and figure out something isn't right, great video, and also I seen you and Oz diagnosing a Lincom a while back that was a cool video, anyway a fan from Michigan here, im thinking some of those techs not to familiar with wave fomrs or to lazy to master them, anyways good video.

[@prophetsofpreminition513]

I have a 1999 Toyota 4Runner with a v6 automatic I got a p0335 and a p0340I know it's the crankshaft positioning sensor and the camshaft positioning sensor however this is what happened is battery grounded the positive terminal so it won't turn over anyting I put my OBD scanner on it I can turn it over and start it but as soon as I hit the brake it dies any help will do I think it's a wiring problem they got fried or something

[@sperrytops]

Great information. Smart guy. Thank you.

[@ADVANCEDLEVELAUTO]

Thanks!

[@ThePapo52]

Where are you located

[@Cain_Navarro]

Mine's doing that, I have to press the pedal sometimes to get it to turn over, then it idles rough and I gotta keep tapping the pedal to keep it alive until it idles normally

[@samuelvallejo1720]

Having a similar issue on my 97 4runner, just that it happens every now and then. Engine starts idling high around 2k rpm at idle when in PARK and if I turn it off It'll crank but no start and smells like gas. But If I put it back into drive, idle drops, then I turn it off. Turns on more often. Any advise as to what to check?

[@reneg1366]

Similar thing happened to me with a miata, low, uneven compression on all cylinders, checked timing marks were off, however on that very same crank gear the channel that the keyway slips into and on the crank it was badly distorted to the point that when cylinder one was at top dead center the mark on the cover was off, which led me to checking marks and belt alignment, good thing was that a new gear and keyway is all it took to fix it, crank itself was OK, still showed it to the owner and let him decide what he wanted to do, car ran great for a couple of days before giving it back to him, he never brought it back so assumed all is well

[@fumbelochristopher6935]

Really need help... I have toyota surf 1kz 3.0 inline engine with the exact symptom... now how can i check the reluctor teeth considering the location... The crankshaft position sensor is almost in the engine block

[@michaelgeithmann9092]

I have crank but no start, did the diagnostic test on my 95 4runner 3.0 & it says that the vehicle is flawless as far as codes go... Hard to believe considering my vehicle still won't start. I found a blown efi fuse so I replaced that. What would cause that to pop ? I'm getting fuel, i have weak spark, starter is good, it's grounded correctly. I'm thinking it's either the timing, igniter, ignition module, or distributor. And yes, I've replaced the battery. Any help would be nice.. I'm having a hard time with this vehicle

[@sergiomendoza1320]

I have the same issue with my truck, same engine. How can I contact you?

[@briankotze57]

Would have been nice to see the confirmed fix.

[@soulofanunknownsoldier8066]

brian kotze if you watched the video then you would know he found the problem when he found the messed up gear

[@briankotze57]

@@soulofanunknownsoldier8066 I dont think you understand what i said. I always watch till the end. Please read my comment carefully

[@briankotze57]

@@soulofanunknownsoldier8066 I dont think you understand what i said. I always watch till the end. Please read my comment carefully

[@soulofanunknownsoldier8066]

brian kotze dude. He went through a whole process explaining how the computer was being thrown off cause of the missing teeth on the gear that got messed up when the old mechanic tried cranking the car after dropping a hose clamp in the timing belt. That was obviously the problem and if you understood, then you don’t need the rest. That basically was the confirmed fix. Duh

[@leehulbert890]

You found the broken Crank Sprocket. Did that fix the problem?

[@jasonhill2613]

Really helpful, does the crank sensor provide data for the tach? I’ve eliminated spark, now fuel before I open this up for timing? Any tricks to get a peek to verify belt to gears alignment. Without major disassembly?

[@dsavage8751]

I would love to know this too, too bad nobody replied

[@WellWisdom.]

Thank you very much. You are a wizard.

[@SteedDigital1]

Why did no one check the crank and cam sensors first? A shop had it for weeks and didn't look at this, that blows me away.

[@ethancraft119]

I’m having the same exact same problem 3.4 6v Tacoma but my reluctor wheel is fine any suggestions?

[@stephenwarlow1762]

Great video Thanks

[@bwbailey12]

I had this same thing happen to mine but mine still turn on cause I had only broken one tooth off by trying to pry that gear off with a pry bar when I did my head gaskets , took me so long to find what was wrong but once I found it and replaced it in about an hour it started up first try

[@foxdiaz4596]

So that piece fix the problem o not ?

[@christiancamargo75]

A1 diagnosis

[@danielvidalescruz6343]

Good work !

[@samrugtiv3839]

Well done my friend. Sam

[@tomsawyer4776]

Have you ever considered a gopro camera on a headband ???

[@BassManBobBassCovers]

No way in hell the average backyard mechanic would be able to diagnose that. Good job!!

[@NakamuraJen]

Got a 4runner 1996 by 3.4L I changed spark plug and coil pack but still shakes

[@soundynamix]

Two thumbs up

[@rickgarza4717]

I'm having an issue with my 2002 toyota 4 runner V6. car seems to be running fine, but has a code of P0171, lean condition. Did live data work with diagnostic tool. Close loop at idle. O2s B1 S2 is 0.7 and STFT B1 S2 (%). Is stuck at 99.2. It seems to be there at idle and under load. STFT bank B1(%) -5.5 LTFT B1 (%) -3.9. O2S B1 S1 (v) 3.285 and seems to stay at 3 volts consistent. MAF (LB/min) reading at 0.5 and does increase with acceleration. Vehicle speed 28mph, STFT B1 (%) is 19.5 and LTFT B1 (%) is 19.5 MAF (LB/min) 4.8 STFT B1 S2 (%) is 99.2 . LAMBDA B1 S1 0.959 . 02S B1 S1 (V) 3.100 . Can you assist with diagnosing issue. Thanks.

[@braulioramirez8707]

Did you find out what you had I had the same code

[@loubakker5000]

Well done ! Like the shades. :-)