Seattleguy

Hopefully you have a cover for it for the fall/winter...otherwise it may become more terminal with water damage

I am far from there and don't have room for another Toy anyway. If you're just starting to look, be patient. I'm sure others will start showing up. You may have to travel a bit to find the right one. I looked long and hard for my 1st dolphin and the waiting paid off. As did waiting for the right buyer when I sold it!

Not knowing much about it and the condition it's in, it seems the price may be high for this time of year. Moving into fall, prices are dropping and I think you'd be able to get something with less mileage and things in working order for that price or less. Just depends where you are and how anxious you are to get one. You can plan to spend another $1-2k for maintenance items such as tires, tune up, etc. if that hasn't been done or there are no records of it. Other big concern is leaks/water damage--be sure to inspect carefully for that. Where are you located?

This happened to my 22RE back in June. I had good spark, fuel pressure, etc. It turned out to be the ECU...computer had gone bad. Popped a new (used) one in and started right away. Here is a link to my thread: http://toyotamotorhome.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=2949 Just another possibility of what it may be (or maybe not)....

Let me know if you find out anything more. I think the Nova Stars were built from 1986-1988 in California (?), but not sure. There don't seem to be many of them around. I have an 87 and they are a high-quality coach. Much nicer inside than my Dolphin was. New Horizon did build other toy coaches that were similar to the Dolphins, etc. But i don't think they were ever affiliated with National RV.

Well it did turn out to be the ECU. I found a used one at a salvage yard in PA and had it shipped out. Mechanic popped it in and the rig started right up. Was off and running for a weekend trip, then overheated going over the mountain pass! So now I've gotta have that checked out. Always seems to be something...!

I called one Toyota dealer and they used the term re-manufactured as well (for $760!). As I've been searching online, the correct term(s) are probably re-built/refurbished/re-programmed. Pricing for sending mine in to be re-furbished (or whatever it is) seems to be around $200-$300. I'm finding if they can't fix it, most places won't charge for diagnosing--just the shipping fee. But at the same time I wonder if they may just say it's not repairable and try to sell you another one...

I think they have done their homework. I was quoted $600 for a remanufactured ECU (what the mechanic found). They told me they were going to keep looking and I could try to locate something as well, so I looked on car-parts and there seem to be some used ones in the +/-$100 range. Hadn't thought about having it sent out to be rebuilt, but that may be a good option too--it looks like a lot of the places warranty their work. Does the ECU/ECM have a life expectancy? I wonder if it's worth spending the extra $$$ to have it sent out to be rebuilt as a used one could potentially start to fail who knows when... Thanks for all the input thus far!

I know the shop is reputable and have worked on Toyotas/imports, so I will hold 'em to it. Just had the timing chain and all components changed, new exhaust and O2 sensor, etc done to it. At the campground, the tow truck driver said it was getting a spark and fuel was pumping. Still a bit hard for me to wrap my head around wiring/grounds... Here's what the mechanic said: VEHICLE STARTS FOR 2 SECONDS & THEN DIES - WILL NOT STAY RUNNING. CHECKED IGNITION, SPARK, FUEL PRESSURE & INJECTOR PULSE. VEHICLE ONLY HAS PULSE @ THE COLD START INJECTOR, ALL OTHERS ARE DEAD. REMOVED #1 FUEL INJECTOR CONNECTOR & CHECKED FOR POWER. INJECTORS ARE GETTING POWER BUT NO GROUND WHEN THE ENGINE IS CRANKING. CHECKED ALL WIRE GROUNDS ON THE INTAKE MANIFOLD & CHECKED COMPUTER GROUND ( ALL ARE GOOD ) CHECKED THE RESISTANCE OF EACH FUEL INJECTOR, SHOULD BE BETWEEN 1.5 & 3.0 ohms ( INJECTORS ARE GOOD @ 2.8 ohms ) INSPECTED WIRING FROM INJECTORS TO INJECTOR RESISTER & TO THE COMPUTER ( ALL WIRING LOOKS GOOD ) CHECKED FOR PULSE @ INJECTOR GROUND WIRES @ COMPUTER ( NO PULSE ) CHECKED RESISTANCE OF THE INJECTOR SOLONOID RESISTOR ( RESIATANCE IS GOOD @ 3.5 ohms ) WENT BACK TO THE COMPUTER & CHECKED FOR PULSE TO GROUND FROM THE ENGINE REVOLUTION SENSOR ( PULSE IS GOOD ) THE COMPUTER IS GETTING INFORMATION THAT IT NEEDS TO GROUND THE INJECTOR CIRCUIT BUT IT IS NOT. COMPUTER IS BAD ( RECOMEND NEW COMPUTER & RE-CHECK SYSTEM )

So it seems the computer in my 1987 Nova Star has died. It was slow to turn over (3-4 cranks) and then a couple weekends ago wouldn't stay started at all. Starts for about 2 seconds and then dies. Mechanic checked ignition, spark, fuel pressure and injector pulse. Apparently it only has a pulse at the cold start injector, but all others are dead. Injectors are getting power, but no ground when the engine is cranking. Checked all wire grounds on the intake manifold and checked computer ground (all are good). Seems all the wiring is OK. Not knowing a lot (but learning), does this sound like typical symptoms of a dead computer? This is the 1st time I've taken it to this shop, but they seem reputable. Apparently there are only re-manufactured computers available, or pulling something used from a junkyard. Would the computer/part be the same for all 22re years? Not sure if Toyota used something different for the 1 ton chassis? I understand some may be different that were in CA due to emissions standards. Thanks.

If the cold start temp sensor or cold injector switch is bad, will it turn over at all? I am now having this issue on my 22re...lately it has taken about 3 cranks to turn over when cold (fine when warm). Yesterday at the campground it wouldn't start at all. Tow truck driver thought it may be the fuel pump, but he checked and thought it was getting fuel (just maybe not enough in all the injectors). I had 20 50 oil put in last time and thought that may have something to do with a harder start when cold, but obviously it should start! Thanks.

Ahhh, I think I remember seeing this rig posted on Craigslist! Looks like quite the project...but good to see you are bringing it back to life. We just finished rebuilding the upper bunk in my Nova Star (in addition to a bunch of other engine work). Front window had leaked previously and rotted out all the luan on the base. Luckily it's got the molded fiberglass shell, so no structural damage. I had the original front window fiberglassed over completely, so hopefully less prone for leaks now. Lowe's carries some 1/4 to 1.5" foam/insulation that you may also be to use behind the paneling/siding. Claim it's water/mold proof...I think it's stuff they use behind brick/stucco. They also had a pretty good selection of interior paneling that may work for you as well. I got the 4x8 sheet there for mine and it is a pretty good match to the original stuff on my ceilings. Some pics of mine here: http://groups.yahoo....838023/pic/list Gotta luv our NW winters...takes a toll on the rigs! Mine will be kept in the garage for the non-camping seasons from now on.

Hello, I'm a newb looking at a 1985 Toyota Dolphin. It has just under 31k miles on the 22r engine. It was donated to a non-profit and they say it was a 1-family owner rig. The guy says there is a leak around the AC unit but otherwise it's in good shape. I'm going to look at it today. I know the rear axles have issues. How can I tell if it's been replaced with a 1-ton dually? Any other advice? They are asking $1,900 and I think I could get 'em lower. Granted I know it needs some work, but other comparables seem to be in the $5-6k range. Thanks in advance!