Quick question for you guys. My 4runner on occasions wont start. It will turn over and idle for a second and then die. It will do it two or three times and then start up no problem. it drives fine after that. Any ideas on what could be happening? might i need a new battery , starter, connections maybe? any input would be great.

anyone?

Hmm... Any clicking or tapping sounds when you try to start it?
Check TPS (Throttle Position Sensor), MAF (Mass Air Flow) sensor, and fuel filter...

Any Chk. Eng. lights on?

nope no clicking sounds and no check engine light on. ill check those areas you suggested. i'm not a master mechanic but in order to start an engine, don't you need air, fuel, and spark? maybe i'm lacking one of these and its causing the engine to die. either way ill have to start somewhere.

I had a problem with the same thing happening to mine, but it would only happen when I drove for a while and turned the truck off and then tried to start it again, mostly when stopped to I put gas in the truck...

It turned out to be a vacuum issue somewhere in th engine...

beat me to it, its more than likely a vacuum seal leak. check all vacuum seals on the intake as that's most likely where your problem is. make sure the heads are still cushiony and not brittle, sometimes they promote air leaks and can kill a car at idle. let us know what you find

that's were it happens the majority of the time. it happens at the gas station right when i get off the highway to fuel up. ill keep you guys posted on whatever i can find. ill check for vacuum leaks also. thanks for the tips

I'm having a somewhat similar problem. If I've been driving a while, turn off the truck and then start it again, it will stutter a bit then start. The RPMs kind of drop down when starting, but then it'll run. Sounds like it might be a vacuum leak or some sort.

How does one look for a vacuum leak? Any tips?

I have a similar problem right now but when i turn the key i have to hold it in the start position for like 3-5 seconds.

well, me and my mechanic checked out my 4runner this past weekend and couldn't find anything wrong. No vacuum leaks, fuel problems, nothing. I just cleaned up the MAF a to see if it made a difference and it still did it. stopped at the gas station, filled up, tried to start up, turns over and just dies. i will try and keep searching and hopefully find an answer. ill keep you guys posted.

I'm having a similar issue although when I go to turn the key over instead of the engine starting it just acts like the battery is dead and nothing happens. I have to turn the key back and then go and try it again. Sometimes it takes 2-3 tries to get the engine to finally start. Any ideas? I just installed a Valentine1 radar and some accessories so I'm using a bit of power from the 12v outlet, maybe that's taking power away from the car starting?

dunno? at this point im still stumped. im waiting till this weekend to use my buddies garage to work on my truck.

I had a similar issue with a Honda Civic. It was the main relay. That sends power to the starter, fuel pump and fuel injectors.

What was happening was that when the cabin warmed up (either sitting with the windows closed or driving for a while and then stopping at a gas station) some of the solder joints expanded and a current couldn't get through them. In the case of the Civic, the signal to the fuel injectors wasn't getting through. So you could hear the fuel pump prime, and the engine would crank, but the fuel injectors wouldn't get a signal.

So that's something to at least look into. The relay just might be bad, it may not be heat related.

hmmmm...... interesting!?

I am having the same issue it would seem. Just like someone above, it only happens when the engine is warm.

For example, when I run into the gas station to grab a soda and there is no line to hold me up. If it sits for five minutes, it'll fire up everytime. If it sits for less than that, it'll sputter and die.

I called the local Toyota dealer today and they suggested cleaning the throttle body, because there may be gunk in there that is sticky when the engine is warm.

I have to change my spark plugs this week, so when I have the intake removed I'll give that a try.

My mechanic also suggested that it could be the fuel pump, but he said it was unlikely since the issue only occurs when the engine is warm.


Stock '99 4Runner SR5 Sport 3.4 V6 170,000 miles