I decided to write this up based on help I'd received from others on the forum (thank you all very much!) I searched but didn't find a detailed write up on this simple but handy trick.
THE WHY
For various reasons you may have a need to "prime" your fuel pump from time to time. Obvious reasons include having removed the gas tank, replaced the fuel pump, or done other work where you drained the fuel line. In addition, many of us with these cars experience a situation where after they sit for awhile (weeks or more,) it takes them a number of cranks to get fuel flowing again and for the engine to start. I believe this is due to not (no longer) having a fully sealed system, or is the result of aftermarket fuel pumps. I do not think this situation is indicative of a serious issue at all (rather, something to be dealt with on a 40 year old car that has likely had some work done on the fuel delivery system throughout its lifetime), but it is annoying and not good to crank an engine over cold too long after it's been sitting for a long time and lacking oil in the top end.
Also, because in our early EFI cars, (as best I can figure,) they were still learning how to synchronize the fuel pump, air flow meter, etc, the Toyota engineers built our cars so that the fuel pump only runs when the engine is cranking. It does not run or "prime" when you turn the key on alone.
THE HOW
To bypass this, happily, Toyota added a test plug that that is wired in parallel to the switch on the air flow meter so you can "jump" this and run the fuel pump without having to run or crank the engine!
*I believe this applies to all models whether you have an in-tank or external fuel pump. Mine is an '84 with an external and this works perfectly.
Before you start the car,
1 - Cut a paperclip into a "U" to use as your jumper. (or a small piece of wire of some sort etc.)
2 - Locate your plug on the left side of the engine bay (with you facing the front windshield). It is located on the same wiring loom that goes to the air flow meter just down to the left of the power steering pump.
3 - Remove the cap and insert the U shaped wire / paperclip. Push it in between the contacts firmly so it stays in place.
4 - Now, leave the hood up and go back and turn your key on. You will now hear the fuel pump running. Allow it to run for 20-30 seconds to "prime" your fuel system. Once you do that, go back and remove the jumper / clip. Now press your gas pedal once and then crank and it should start pretty quick. NOTE: You can start the car with the jumper still in but sometimes this will cause issues depending on how long you have let it prime so in my view it's best to remove it before you attempt to start / crank the car.
I have been keeping my "jumper paperclip" in a small bag in my center console so I always have it near when I need it (for me, after the car has been sitting for a week or two and I'm going to start it.)
THE WHY
For various reasons you may have a need to "prime" your fuel pump from time to time. Obvious reasons include having removed the gas tank, replaced the fuel pump, or done other work where you drained the fuel line. In addition, many of us with these cars experience a situation where after they sit for awhile (weeks or more,) it takes them a number of cranks to get fuel flowing again and for the engine to start. I believe this is due to not (no longer) having a fully sealed system, or is the result of aftermarket fuel pumps. I do not think this situation is indicative of a serious issue at all (rather, something to be dealt with on a 40 year old car that has likely had some work done on the fuel delivery system throughout its lifetime), but it is annoying and not good to crank an engine over cold too long after it's been sitting for a long time and lacking oil in the top end.
Also, because in our early EFI cars, (as best I can figure,) they were still learning how to synchronize the fuel pump, air flow meter, etc, the Toyota engineers built our cars so that the fuel pump only runs when the engine is cranking. It does not run or "prime" when you turn the key on alone.
THE HOW
To bypass this, happily, Toyota added a test plug that that is wired in parallel to the switch on the air flow meter so you can "jump" this and run the fuel pump without having to run or crank the engine!
*I believe this applies to all models whether you have an in-tank or external fuel pump. Mine is an '84 with an external and this works perfectly.
Before you start the car,
1 - Cut a paperclip into a "U" to use as your jumper. (or a small piece of wire of some sort etc.)
2 - Locate your plug on the left side of the engine bay (with you facing the front windshield). It is located on the same wiring loom that goes to the air flow meter just down to the left of the power steering pump.
3 - Remove the cap and insert the U shaped wire / paperclip. Push it in between the contacts firmly so it stays in place.
4 - Now, leave the hood up and go back and turn your key on. You will now hear the fuel pump running. Allow it to run for 20-30 seconds to "prime" your fuel system. Once you do that, go back and remove the jumper / clip. Now press your gas pedal once and then crank and it should start pretty quick. NOTE: You can start the car with the jumper still in but sometimes this will cause issues depending on how long you have let it prime so in my view it's best to remove it before you attempt to start / crank the car.
I have been keeping my "jumper paperclip" in a small bag in my center console so I always have it near when I need it (for me, after the car has been sitting for a week or two and I'm going to start it.)