Discussion:
Forklift won't start

Hi everyone,

I've got an issue with my 427FG25 with a 4Y engine. When turning the key, the motor turns but never starts then the battery slowly dies. Tried to boost it with another battery, it almost made it, did a backfire, but never really been able to start.

We recently changed the distributor cap, sparkplug wire and the 4 sparkplugs because there was condensation in there.

Now I took a picture of the interior of the distributor where the rotator is and noticed that the metal pin (wires side) was rusty and a piece of the plastic lid was broken.

Don't know how to add the picture in here so here is the link:

https://ibb.co/h9bTro
  • Posted 13 Jul 2018 23:49
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
Showing items 1 - 9 of 9 results.
Will do.
  • Posted 14 Sep 2018 03:20
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
Email my profile address, i may have some helpful info i can send.
  • Posted 14 Sep 2018 02:47
  • By tom_p
  • joined 21 Feb'11 - 198 messages
  • Alberta, Canada
Have you confirmed fuel delivery is OK?
  • Posted 14 Sep 2018 02:18
  • By tom_p
  • joined 21 Feb'11 - 198 messages
  • Alberta, Canada
No error codes, parts # were all taken from toyota's part manual and distributed by our authorised toyota distributor (Liftow)
  • Posted 14 Sep 2018 01:43
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
any fault codes? did you source your parts through Toyota?
  • Posted 14 Sep 2018 01:25
  • By tom_p
  • joined 21 Feb'11 - 198 messages
  • Alberta, Canada
I'm reviving this post here.

After finding we had no sparks, we changed the Igniter, coil, lead breaker, signal distributor and the connector itself. No we have a spark but it is very weak and the lift still doesn't want to start at all.

One thing I noticed is that the igniter we had put in is slightly bigger than the original toyota's. Just the size, everything else is exactly the same. Would that had to do anything with our issue?
  • Posted 13 Sep 2018 00:37
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
The engine runs on propane, not diesel, if that makes any difference.
  • Posted 14 Jul 2018 00:53
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
Hi Tom,

After a couple attemps, by boosting it I was able to start it, but only if I hold the gaz pedal down. It runs for a couple of seconds but then dies out.

Will check every sparks one by one.
  • Posted 14 Jul 2018 00:39
  • By michel_d
  • joined 30 Jun'18 - 30 messages
  • Quebec, Canada
You may still have moisture inside the cap area. blow out then and if necessary spray with WD40 inside the cap and distributor area. Confirm you have spark. Also check for broken wires around the distributor harness and to the fuel lockoff.
  • Posted 14 Jul 2018 00:16
  • By tom_p
  • joined 21 Feb'11 - 198 messages
  • Alberta, Canada

Post your Reply

Forkliftaction accepts no responsibility for forum content and requires forum participants to adhere to our rules of conduct. Click here for more information.

If you are having trouble using the Discussion Forums, please contact us for help.

Movers & Shakers
Laura Ness Owens Laura Ness Owens
Chief marketing officer, Bobcat Company
Chief commercial officer, Teradyne Robotics
CEO, MHEDA
President, European Rental Association (ERA)
Fact of the week
The dot-com bubble, a period of large and rapid investments in internet-based companies, peaked in 2000 and saw the Nasdaq Composite index rise by 579%. Then the bubble imploded. As the value of tech stocks plummeted, cash-strapped internet start-ups became worthless and collapsed.
JLG 260MRT
JLG 260MRT 2016
Flesherton, Ontario, Canada
Used - Sale
Mitsubishi FGE35AT
Yokohama, Japan
Used - Sale
Global Industry News
edition #1238 - 10 July 2025
This week Forkliftaction News is celebrating its 25th anniversary! A wonderful achievement given we launched at a time when just 6% of the world’s population were internet users, according to Internet World Stats . Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing stories about our history and rolling out more celebrations, so keep an eye out... Continue reading
Upcoming in the editorial calendar
WIRELESS CHARGING
Aug 2025
MANAGING MIXED FLEETS
Oct 2025