Operation: New Lease on Life (1986.5 build)

Pyro15D

kind of a lucky dude
Aug 24, 2008
646
2
18
Whidbey Island, Washington
Well, update for you guys. I replaced the cam position sensor, cranked it up, and nothing. It cranks and cranks, but the engine doesn't fire. I couldn't hear the fuel pump prime, but I heard somewhere that the fuel pump doesn't kick on till the engine is cranking or running, so I didn't think much of it. Then I loosened a fuel line banjo fitting on the rail and nothing came out, so I think the fuel pump may be dead. The guy had mentioned something about disabling the anti theft stuff, but I have no idea what he means by that. I know the fog lights don't work, the overhead lights don't work (the ones in the door do) and the cruise control light doesn't come on when I turn on the switch. Oh, the TEMS lights don't come on either. I did notice a wide 2-row clear white connector right by the steering column that isn't connected to anything, but I have no idea what it would go to. Everything else works that I tested. The ABS light comes on for a couple seconds then shuts off. After a few seconds of having the ignition on, the boost gauge goes from -4 to 0 as well. I checked the fuses on the drivers side footwell and the ones in the engine bay. All checked out. Are there any relays that should be clicking when key is in the on position? Troubleshooting was cut short when the starter quit working. At first I thought maybe it would be the clutch switch, but that is working fine because a relay in the passenger footwell clicks on when I push the clutch in and turn to start. if I don't push the clutch in, I hear nothing. Anyway, lots to think about. Any ideas on where to start?
 

supraguy@aol

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2005
4,236
38
48
Atlanta
Look at the TSRM to troubleshoot some of this stuff, like testing the fuel pump- it's easy.
And look at the TEWD to determine what harnesses those are, I'm not sure.
 

Pyro15D

kind of a lucky dude
Aug 24, 2008
646
2
18
Whidbey Island, Washington
Well, I got the fuel pump to come on. Now, there are several other issues going on now. When I turn the key to start, the starter relay clicks, but I get no voltage at the starter. If I hook a wire up to the solenoid, the starter cranks the engine fine. There is also no 12 volts at the coil packs. If I turn the key to ON, then hook up a wire from the coils and ignitor to the battery, then crank the engine over using the wire from the solenoid to the battery, the engine cranks over, fires once or twice, then won't crank over again. I decided to look up the TSRM and checked the diagnostic light. I have codes 14 for no IGF and code 31 for AFM open/short. Which code should I try to troubleshoot first? Would a bad AFM prevent the engine from starting? I know no IGF will (from searching the forum). I don't think the guy knew what he was doing when it came to setting the cam sensor timing, so I checked that first and set the static timing. I obviously can't do the rest of it because I don't have a running engine right now to do the timing light portion. Is there anyone in the Whidbey Island area that wants a challenge? I really don't know any Supra people up here (they either drive evo's or STi's).
 

Pyro15D

kind of a lucky dude
Aug 24, 2008
646
2
18
Whidbey Island, Washington
Well, I figured out the issue with the starter and ignition. Connector B1 wasn't in all the way. Now if only it would run! It cranks and fires a few times. It's acting like it really want to run. I just wish it would do it.
 

Pyro15D

kind of a lucky dude
Aug 24, 2008
646
2
18
Whidbey Island, Washington
Well you wouldn't believe it. I was getting frustrated because I felt like I couldn't get it running. I was so close. Anyway, I decided to pull the cam cover and make sure the cps was set correctly. When I pulled the timing cover, I discovered the exhaust cam was set 90 degrees retarded. I reset the timing and it fired right up! Blew out a ton of black smoke then smoothed out. Pretty awesome. As soon as I revved it with the throttle though, it started surging, like 1500rpms to 500 then back up again. Over and over. I just have a code 31, so I will see if I can find another AFM to test. I will try the voltage checks as well. My DMM does measure frequency so I should be fine there. Is there anything else I need to look at? Also, when I shut it off then turned it back on, it fired right up to 2000rpms then stumbles and dies. Every time. Still AFM, or is that more like a tps problem?