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Running on five cylinders - Need expertise

Discussion in '3rd Gen 4Runners (1996-2002)' started by Baja Nut, Jun 6, 2016.

  1. Jun 6, 2016 at 8:01 AM
    #1
    Baja Nut

    Baja Nut [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2016
    Member:
    #2115
    Messages:
    2
    General Description of Problem

    Vehicle runs on five cylinders when at engine is fully warmed up (when restarted while warm but not after first start while warmed up)

    Symptoms

    - Steady check engine light (after around 10 minutes of running on five cylinders)

    - Code 306 on ODB II code reader

    - Intermittent flashing check engine light (no more than five seconds at a time; at least one minute between occurrences)

    - After first start of the day, vehicle will run fine for at least four hours as long as the engine is kept running and not turned off

    - If the engine is turned off after fully warming up:

    -- Engine will run normally if restarted within 30 seconds

    -- Engine will run on five cylinders if allowed to sit for 10 minutes or more (not running) and then restarted

    - After running on five cylinders, the only way to get engine to run normally again is to allow engine to fully cool (not running for at least two hours)

    - Attached timing light to # 2, 4 & 6 wires while engine was malfunctioning

    -- Got strobe lights each time

    -- Could not attach timing light to #1, 3 or 5 because of engine design

    Actions Taken

    - Replaced spark plug on #6 cylinder

    - Replaced spark plug wire for #6 cylinder

    - Swapped coil packs on top of #1 and #3 cylinders

    Looking for any experience with or suggestions on how to fix. Thanks.
     
  2. Jun 6, 2016 at 9:29 AM
    #2
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #526
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Virginia Beach
    Vehicle:
    2007 4runner SR5 4WD
    The year model 4Runner would help.....I'm guessing a 96 through 2002 V6?

    How do the spark plugs look? usually the one that is not firing is fouled really bad.
     
  3. Jun 6, 2016 at 9:32 AM
    #3
    Baja Nut

    Baja Nut [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Member:
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    Messages:
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    Sorry. 2000 with 3.4L. I did replace the plug. The old one was clean and had been replaced sixth months ago.
     
  4. Jun 6, 2016 at 11:17 AM
    #4
    RonT4R

    RonT4R New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #526
    Messages:
    640
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ron
    Virginia Beach
    Vehicle:
    2007 4runner SR5 4WD
    I had a 2001 Tacoma with the 3.4L and I got a Misc. Misfire cylinder #1 ended up being a bad fuel injector.
     
  5. Jun 6, 2016 at 11:21 AM
    #5
    irishfury

    irishfury New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #1460
    Messages:
    28
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Sean
    Birmingham, Alabama
    Vehicle:
    1999 Black 4Runner Limited 4wd
    You were correct to try replacing the plug, wire, and coils first. However, since none of that worked, replacing the fuel injector will most likely solve your problem.
     

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