1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER check engine

4RUNNER (1998)
Automatic transmission ºParkº mech- anism
Check the lock release button of the
selector lever for proper and smooth
operation. On a safe incline, check
that your vehicle is held securely with
the selector lever in ºPº position and
all brakes released.
IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Items listed below should be
checked from time to time, e.g.
each time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in
the tank. See Chapter 7- 3 for addi-
tional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is be-
tween the ºFULLº and ºLOWº lines on
the see- through reservoir when the
engine is cold. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information.
Battery electrolyte level
Make sure the electrolyte level of all
battery cells is between upper and
lower level lines on the case. Add
only distilled water when replenishing.
See Chapter 7- 3 for additional in-
formation. Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is cor-
rect. See Chapter 7- 2 for additional
information.
Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with
the engine turned off and the vehicle
parked on a level spot. See Chapter
7- 2 for additional information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level through the reservoir.
The level should be in the ºHOTº or
ºCOLDº range depending on the fluid
temperature. See Chapter 7- 2 for
additional information.
Exhaust system
If you notice any change in the sound
of the exhaust or smell exhaust
fumes, have the cause located and
corrected immediately. (See engine ex-
haust cautions in Part 2.)
Be on the alert for changes in perfor-
mance, sounds, and visual tip- offs
that indicate service is needed. Some
important clues are as follows:
Engine missing, stumbling, or ping-
ing
Appreciable loss of power
Strange engine noises
A leak under the vehicle (however,
water dripping from the air condi-
tioning after use is normal.)
Change in exhaust sound (This
may indicate a dangerous carbon
monoxide leak. Drive with the win-
dows open and have the exhaust
system checked immediately.)
Flat- looking tire; excessive tire
squeal when cornering; uneven tire wear
Vehicle pulls to one side when
driving straight on a level road
Strange noises related to suspen-
sion movement
Loss of brake effectiveness;
spongy feeling brake or clutch ped-
al; pedal almost touches floor; ve-
hicle pulls to one side when brak-
ing
Engine coolant temperature continu-
ally higher than normal
Does your vehicle need
repairing?

4RUNNER (1998)
Use eye protection whenever
you work on or under your ve-
hicle where you may be ex-
posed to flying or falling mate-
rial, fluid spray, etc.
Used engine oil contains poten-
tially harmful contaminants
which may cause skin disorders
such as inflammation or skin
cancer, so care should be taken
to avoid prolonged and repeated
contact with it. To remove used
engine oil from your skin, wash
thoroughly with soap and water.
Do not leave used oil within the
reach of children.
Dispose of used oil and filter
only in a safe and acceptable
manner. Do not dispose of used
oil and filter in household
trash, in sewers or onto the
ground. Call your dealer or a
service station for information
concerning recycling or dispos-
al.NOTICE
Remember that battery and igni-
tion cables carry high currentsor voltages. Be careful of acci-dentally causing a short circuit.
Add only demineralized or dis-tilled water to fill the radiator.And if you spill some of the
coolant, be sure to wash it offwith water to prevent it from
damaging the parts or paint.
Do not allow dirt or anythingelse to fall through the spark
plug holes.
Do not pry the outer electrode
of a spark plug against the cen-ter electrode.
Use only spark plugs of the
specified type. Using othertypes will cause engine damage,loss of performance or radio
noise.
Do not overfill automatic trans-mission fluid, or the transmis-sion could be damaged.
Do not drive with the air clean-
er filter removed, or excessiveengine wear could result. Alsobackfiring could cause a fire in
the engine compartment.
Be careful not to scratch theglass surface with the wiper
frame.
When closing the engine hood,check to see that you have notforgotten any tools, rags, etc.

4RUNNER (1998)
Parts and tools
Here is a list of parts and tools you
will need on performing do- it- yourself
maintenance. Remember all Toyota
parts are designed in metric sizes, so
your tools must be metric.
Checking the engine oil level
Parts (if level is low): Engine oil API grade SH, ºEnergy-
Conserving IIº or SJ, ºEnergy-
Conservingº multigrade or ILSAC
multigrade having viscosity proper
for your climate
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding oil)
Checking the engine coolant level
Parts (if level is low): Ethylene- glycol antifreeze
Demineralized or distilled water
Tools: Funnel (only for adding coolant)
Checking brake fluid
Parts (if level is low): SAE J1703 or FMVSS No. 116
DOT 3 brake fluid
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid) Checking power steering fluid
Parts (if level is low):
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON II or III
Tools: Rag or paper towel
Funnel (only for adding fluid)
Checking battery condition
Tools: Warm water
Baking soda
Grease
Conventional wrench (for terminal
clamp bolts)
Checking and replacing fuses
Parts (if replacement is necessary): Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
Tools: Conventional wrench (for instrument
lower panel nut)
Adding washer fluid
Parts: Water
Washer fluid containing antifreeze
(for winter use)
Tools: Funnel Replacing light bulbs
Parts:
Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original (See charts
in ºReplacing light bulbsº in Chap-
ter 7- 3.)
Tools: Screwdriver

4RUNNER (1998)
Part 7
DO- IT- YOURSELF
MAINTENANCEÐ
Chapter 7- 2
Engine and Chassis
Checking the engine oil level
Checking the engine coolant
level
Checking brake fluid
Checking power steering fluid
Checking tire pressure
Checking and replacing tires
Rotating tires
Installing snow tires and
chains
Replacing wheels
Aluminum wheel precautions
Checking the engine oil level

4RUNNER (1998)
Low level
Full level
Type A
Type B
Add oil O.K. Too full
With the engine at operating tem-
perature and turned off, check the
oil level on the dipstick. 1. To get a true reading, the vehicle should be on a level spot. After
turning off the engine, wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain back
into the bottom of the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, and wipe it clean with a rag.
3. Reinsert the dipstickÐpush it in as far as it will go, or the reading will
not be correct.
4. Pull the dipstick out and look at the oil level on the end. If the oil level is below or only
slightly above the low level, add en-
gine oil of the same type as already
in the engine.
Remove the oil filler cap and add en-
gine oil in small quantities at a time,
checking the dipstick.
The approximate quantity of oil need-
ed to fill between the low level and
the full level on the dipstick is indi-
cated below for reference.
When the level reaches within the cor-
rect range, install the f
iller cap hand-
tight.
Oil quantity, L (qt., lmp. qt.): 3RZ- FE engine
1.5 (1.6, 1.3) 5VZ- FE engine
1.2 (1.3, 1.1)
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the engine
could be damaged.
Check the oil level on the dip-stick once again after adding
the oil.

4RUNNER (1998)
The top portion of the label shows the
oil quality by API (American Petroleum
Institute) designations such as SJ.
The center portion of the label shows
the SAE
viscosity grade such as SAE 5W- 30.
ºEnergy- Conservingº shown in the
lower portion, indicates that the oil
has fuel- saving capab ilities.
The ILSAC (International Lubricant
Standardization and Approval Commit-
tee) Certification Mark is displayed on
the front of the container. Look at the see- through coolant
reservoir when the engine is cold.
The coolant level is satisfactory if
it is between the ºF (Full)º and ºL
(Low)º lines on the reservoir. If the
level is low, add ethylene- glycol
type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will
vary with engine temperature. Howev-
er, if the level is on or below the ºLº
line, add coolant. Bring the level up
to the ºFº line.
Use only ethylene- glycol type coolant.
See information in the next column.
If the coolant level drops within a
short time after replenishing, there
may be a leak in the system. Visually
check the radiator, hoses, radiator cap
and drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your
Toyota dealer test the cap pressure
and check for leaks in the cooling
system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do
not remove the radiator cap when
the engine is hot.
Coolant type selection
Your coolant must contain ethylene-
glycol antifreeze. In addition to pre-
venting freezing and subsequent dam-
age to the engine, this will also
prevent corrosion. Further supplemen-
tal inhibitors or additives are neither
needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for in-
formation on freeze protection. Follow
the manufacturer 's directions for how
much to mix with water. The total ca-
pacity of the cooling system is given
in Part 8. We recommend 50% solu-
tion be used for your Toyota, or a
sufficient quantity to provide protection
to about -35
C (- 31 F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze
or plain water alone.
Checking the engine coolan
level

4RUNNER (1998)
Checking power steering
fluid
If cold add
If cold O.K.
If hot add If hot O.K.
Check the fluid level on the dip-
stick. If necessary, add automatic
transmission fluid DEXRON II or III.
If the vehicle has been driven around
80 km/h (50 mph) for 20 minutes (a
little more in frigid temperatures), the
fluid is hot (60 CÐ80 C or
140 FÐ175 F). You may also check
the level when the fluid is cold (about
room temperature, 10 CÐ30 C or
50 FÐ85 F) if the engine has not
been run for about five hours.
a. Clean all dirt from outside of the
reservoir tank.
b. Remove the filler cap by turning it
counterclockwise and wipe the dipstick
clean. c. Reinstall the filler cap.
d. Remove the filler cap again and
look at the fluid level. If the fluid is
cold, the level should be in the
ºCOLDº range on the dipstick.
Similarly, if it is hot, the fluid level
should be in the ºHOTº range. If the
level is at the low side of either
range, add automatic transmission
fluid DEXRON
II or III to bring the
level within the range.
e. After replacing the filler cap, visual-
ly check the steering box case, vane
pump and hose connections for leaks
or damage.
CAUTION
The reservoir tank may be hot so
be careful not to burn yourself.
NOTICE
Avoid overfilling, or the power
steering could be damaged.

4RUNNER (1998)
ÐChecking battery exterior
TerminalsGround
cable
Hold- down
clamp
Check the battery for corroded or
loose terminal connections, cracks,
or loose hold- down clamp.
a. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of warm water
and baking soda. Coat the outside
of the terminals with grease to pre-
vent further corrosion.
b. If the terminal connections are loose, tighten their clamp nutsÐbut
do not overtighten.
c. Tighten the hold- down clamp only enough to keep the battery firmly
in place. Overtightening may dam-
age the battery case.
NOTICE
Be sure the engine and all ac-
cessories are off before per-forming maintenance.
When checking the battery, re-
move the ground cable from thenegative terminal (ºÐº mark)
first and reinstall it last.
Be careful not to cause a shortcircuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets intothe battery when washing it.
ÐChecking battery fluid