Help with 1UZ starting

[Norbie]

So I've been getting stuck into my 1UZ Hilux project again, but I've run into difficulty getting it to crank. After hooking up all the necessary EFI wiring and connecting a battery I tried to start it, and it cranked for about 10 seconds without firing, so I went and fiddled with some other wires and tried again. Second time, no cranking - the solenoid was clicking but nothing else. I figured the battery might be a bit flat so I hooked up jumper cables to the Supra, but still no luck.

So, questions:
1. What to check now? Earth cables are attached properly, solenoid is apparently functioning, surely the starter didn't randomly die the first time I tried to use it?
2. Normally in these situations I'd belt the starter with something heavy. Is it possible to do this on a 1UZ without dismantling half the engine? I can't even see the bloody starter!
3. I've tried swearing at it but I don't think I'm doing it right. Please recommend better swears.

[CrUZida]

Did you try kicking it?

Its pretty common for 1UZ starters to fail, especially if they've been lying around for a few years at import yards.

Try connecting the solenoid trigger straight to the battery with a decent sized wire.

If that fails, its time to pull the starter and clean it up (the contacts corrode).


The first 1UZ I ever had was fine for the first few weeks, then progressively got worse.
Fortunately it was manual, so I could bump the car in gear to try and get the flywheel to line up with the starter motor teeth, and away she went.
After cleaning it all up she never gave any more greif.

I also tried the hammer thing a few times (with a long rod through the inlet manifold holes), didn't work.

[stradlater]

I happen to be the owner of several 1uz starter motors that work.... :-)

If banging it is your thing, then as Cruz said, some sort of screw driver down the back of the inlet manifold between the water cross over pipe and the manifold should so the trick.

Also, often swearing in the engines native tongue can work?

Try "Futoi Manko" (a very soft version of fat c*nt) and see what happens.

[Norbie]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'll give it a shot on the weekend.

[Norbie]

Try connecting the solenoid trigger straight to the battery with a decent sized wire.

Winnar! It turns out the starter wire coming from the Hilux ignition barrel is quite small, and I guess it couldn't carry enough current to engage the solenoid properly. I'm guessing the Hilux originally used a relay, but if so it's no longer present.

Anyway the engine cranks quite nicely and even tries to fire, although it sounds like only one cylinder is firing for some reason. The plugs are in unknown condition and the fuel is at least 2 years old so I'll deal with those next, any ideas what else I should be looking at?

[litldv8]

stuck injectors
neil

[The Witzl]

get a can of START YA BASTARD, and work backwards from there

I would just do the sensible things - change plugs, chuck in a jerrycan of fresh fuel, test ignition leads, all that sorta shit.

Then add some start ya bastard down the intake. That'll fire it up!!

[thechuckster]

wilbo had to encourage the 2jz injectors to unstick with judicious use of his power supply. Is in his build threads somewhere but i think it was 24V at low amperage and just briefly supplying that power

[Norbie]

Thanks guys, I'll check out the injectors as well.

[George]

Can you describe your wiring connections in more details? Did you check that power comes to every single injector and coilpack? Didn't you miss some ECU power or ground pin?

If nothing works, PM for a set of selected Russian swear, these words even help starting deeply frozen Toyotas =)

[CELICASUPRA7M]

get a can of START YA BASTARD, and work backwards from there

I would just do the sensible things - change plugs, chuck in a jerrycan of fresh fuel, test ignition leads, all that sorta shit.

Then add some start ya bastard down the intake. That'll fire it up!!

fyi brake cleaner works just as well, and saves buying a can as u prob have some already!

[thechuckster]

fyi brake cleaner works just as well, and saves buying a can as u prob have some already!

this is not a good idea - most brake cleaners have some nasty shit in them

[Norbie]

Thanks to all for the help, I actually got the bastard started today! Checked the plugs, they were a bit black but looked OK. Checked the fuel, it smelled unlike any fuel I've smelled before, not sure what it was but I changed it just to be sure. Checked the injectors, and sure enough most of them weren't clicking when I grounded the appropriate pins at the ECU.

So after a good deal of belting the injectors while grounding the injector pins, they all eventually came good - and the engine started straight away. Woohoo! Just goes to show, when in doubt hit it harder.

[George]

Nice experience with injectors! I've also heard that in some cases they may be refurbished with carb cleaner, you need a setup or an assistant to simultaneously open injectors and apply jet of carb cleaner through thin pipe that usually comes with the spray. Often it also helps to push the engine hard for a while.

[Norbie]

A friend has an ultrasonic cleaner so I might use that to give the injectors a good clean, but I'm stoked it's running for now.

BTW the 1UZ sounds fricking awesome with no pipes. Perhaps I'll leave it like that.