Car won’t start after cat stolen

Hey! Some A hole stole my catalytic converter out of my truck - 2000 Tundra. It turned over, scared the crap out of me (LOUD!), and died. It continued to start and die within 2-3 seconds with each attempt. I looked underneath and realized they had cut out the cat and cut the wire for the two rear o2 sensors. I bought all the parts but need to tow it to another garage since it doesn’t drive. Now I’m asking the question - why isn’t it running? The o2 sensor, or is there another issue? Truck isn’t worth much - been a work horse for a while! Trying to not over-invest. And wondering if there’s something I can do to drive it rather than tow it to my friend’s garage.

TIA

 

Have you tried disconnecting the cut portion of the o2 sensor from the harness? It should run without rear o2 sensors, but if there was a short from them being cut I could see that causing no-run issues. Otherwise, maybe the theives did some other damage while under there. Like accidentally knicked a different harness, fuel line, etc.

 

I disconnected the cut cord just now and tried again. It roared to life and died near instantly. Will an OBD-II reader tell me if they cut another wire somewhere? Everything looks intact down below, but not sure what I’m not seeing.

 

This may help - I found my reader! P0100 - “Trouble code P0100 indicates that a problem has been detected with the mass air flow (MAF) sensor or its electrical circuit. This sensor is located at the the air intake tract of the engine, downstream of the air filter.”

 

Try to clear the code and see what happens.if it is running the fuel line isn't likely cut.

 

It’s not running. It dies on start up - gets up to like 2k rpm (as per normal startup) and then dies. I guess it wouldn’t rev up at all with no fuel, right?

 

Exactly

 

Have you checked to see if any wires are arc'ing out anywhere, grounded, anything? Totally forgot - Have you checked fuses to boot? (Edit: more info on exact fuses just posted by Bubba below, but I'd check 'em all)

If, when they cut the wires for the O2 sensors, they managed to mash the ends of a hot wire against a ground, it could've been backfeeding power to the ECU, and hopefully it didn't fry it.

Trying to fathom how you're be throwing a MAF code - clear all codes and try again. There are a number of codes on these trucks you can clear out and the truck will run fine until it completes a readiness cycle.

 

Could be coincidence, might need to grab a can of MAF sensor cleaner and give it a shot. If you can get it running, take your code reader along with you on the way to the garage in case it dies and you need to clear it again in order to get there. Good luck!

 

Thank you all! I’ll keep you posted

 

May as well pop off the neg batt cable if you're doing that (MAF clean). Only use MAF cleaner (CRC makes great stuff). It's ideal wit let it return to room temp before reinstall, so the chill and condensation gets out.

We had one 1st Gen member who had similar issue after cleaning his throttle body recently.

 

For future reference, folks knowing more than year of truck when assisting is very helpful....CAB(AC,DC,RC) ENG(V6 or V8)....etc but since you said...."cut the wire for the two rear o2 sensors", I'll assume V8(2UZ).

Curious if your reader showed other codes ?
P0100 is one of the codes that causes the ECM to enter Fail-safe mode.

Given what you're experiencing and what may have been mentioned above, it's plausible the 12 volt power source conductor that goes to the oxygen sensors, grounded out and caused the 10A EFI No. 2 fuse to blow. That 12v B+ feeds all O2 sensors AND the 12V B+ for the Mass Air Flow sensor. Since it tries to run, I don't suspect EFI NO. 1 but you could check and make sure.

Engine Bay R/B....

 

I feel like a dummy!! It was fuse 11! EFI. I was convinced it was something with the o2 sensor, but something they did burnt that fuse. Appreciate all the help! I’ll start with the fuses next time

 

Wonderful! Hopefully there isn't a next time brother!

 

Great call!