88 MR2 cranks and starts then dies

Forevermr2 · 05-19-2007, 09:35 PM

I have a question on an 1988 mr2 I just picked up as a project car for my 16 year old an me. The 1 owner car is actually in very good condition but needs work.
Problem:
I try to start it and it will run for about 5 seconds then die. If I spray starter fluid in it it will run fine. I charged the battery since this car sat for a while.
Replaced distributer, plugs, wires, battery good.
I removed the fuel line from the injector housing and no fuel came out when I cranked the engine so I took the gas tank off and today replaced the fuel pump and put it back together which took most of the day and put fresh fuel in it..

Its getting fuel to the injector housing but once cranked it starts then will fade out and die a few seconds later.
I am learning and I love the car design so I am trying my best but I have never worked on a toyota before.

Thanks for your time,

Mister2.2 · 05-19-2007, 10:40 PM

Have you checked to make sure the spark plugs are gapped right and are getting spark? When you say if you spray starting fluid in it and it runs fine, do you mean it runs fine for a few seconds or do you mean it runs solid after using starting fluid?

hotwheels · 05-20-2007, 12:26 AM

Check to see if your MAF is working properly. I had the same problem once, and it turned out that i forgot to plug the afm back in after i mounted it back on the car. ya you can laugh now.

Forevermr2 · 05-20-2007, 12:06 PM

Thanks everyone. Referencing the MAF made me realize
that this engine has to have the air inlet? tube connected to the throttle body? when I did this it idled fine.
My Olds Alero does not have the MAF so I routinely take off the air intake and clean it with throttle body cleaner. Learn something everyday.

seven_mgte · 05-20-2007, 03:09 PM

glad you got it sorted

05-19-2007, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
Forevermr2 No Skills Join Date: May 2007 Location: VA Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	88 MR2 cranks and starts then dies I have a question on an 1988 mr2 I just picked up as a project car for my 16 year old an me. The 1 owner car is actually in very good condition but needs work. Problem: I try to start it and it will run for about 5 seconds then die. If I spray starter fluid in it it will run fine. I charged the battery since this car sat for a while. Replaced distributer, plugs, wires, battery good. I removed the fuel line from the injector housing and no fuel came out when I cranked the engine so I took the gas tank off and today replaced the fuel pump and put it back together which took most of the day and put fresh fuel in it.. Its getting fuel to the injector housing but once cranked it starts then will fade out and die a few seconds later. I am learning and I love the car design so I am trying my best but I have never worked on a toyota before. Thanks for your time,

05-19-2007, 10:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mister2.2 Cheese it! Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,274 Thanks: 108 Thanked 109 Times in 94 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	Have you checked to make sure the spark plugs are gapped right and are getting spark? When you say if you spray starting fluid in it and it runs fine, do you mean it runs fine for a few seconds or do you mean it runs solid after using starting fluid? __________________ --Josh MR2Trader.com Free Accounts to Buy and Sell your MR2 Parts! Ask me about Web Hosting Solutions, starting at $5.95 a month. 'I am at two with nature.' 'Students achieving Oneness will move on to Twoness.'

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05-20-2007, 12:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
hotwheels elvis Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 33 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Check to see if your MAF is working properly. I had the same problem once, and it turned out that i forgot to plug the afm back in after i mounted it back on the car. ya you can laugh now.

05-20-2007, 12:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
Forevermr2 No Skills Join Date: May 2007 Location: VA Posts: 2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Thanks everyone. Referencing the MAF made me realize that this engine has to have the air inlet? tube connected to the throttle body? when I did this it idled fine. My Olds Alero does not have the MAF so I routinely take off the air intake and clean it with throttle body cleaner. Learn something everyday.

05-20-2007, 03:09 PM	#5 (permalink)
seven_mgte Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Coquitlam, BC.ca Posts: 327 Thanks: 0 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	glad you got it sorted