04 V6 Hard Starting, Gremlins

[fatport]

I hava an 04 V6 Limited, which I bought used this spring. It's had one recurring problem and one very strange problem. The vehicle often goes completely through the start cycle without starting. If you have a car that starts, you might not know that the starter will only crank for a certain number of times before it stops. It always starts right away on the second try. This always occurs when it's warm. I thought it might be bad gas, but it doesn't seem to discriminate too much. I had it into Toyota today for an oil change, and the service writer thought it might be dirty injectors. I don't know if this has been directly addressed in other threads, but I'd appreciate some help.

The second problem is much stranger. Twice the car has started itself. The first time it happened when I hit the door lock button. I had just purchased the car, and figured I had a remote starter that I wasn't told about. However, the key wouldn't turn it off, and I had to put in gear to stop it. The second time it started when I used the key in the rear door to close the window. I was using the key, because the window switch and the key fob control had both inexplicably stopped working. After the car started they window controls started working again. This has only happened these two times, and needless to say Toyota is clueless. Am I the only person this has happened to, and does anyone have any idea what this might be?

 

[Mr.yoshimura]

sound like your 4R is hunted! I dont know what to tell you but I dont think its safe if its doing that!

 

[Mark86]

When I had my 2003 V8 Sport, I had a similar problem as you. My truck would keep cranking for around 25 seconds and then struggle to turn over. It would sputter before the engine actually turned on. It was scary because all of the lights would go dim and it seemed like my battery was dead. I had a suspicion that it was bad gas so I threw in a bottle of STP dry gas. I didn't have any problems after that. I recommend that you buy a bottle of dry gas at the supermarket or auto store and put that in. Your problem sounds like bad gas.

I have no idea what is causing problem #2. If I had to guess, you definitely have a remote starter in the vehicle. Maybe the previous owner did not inform the dealer that there was a remote starter and did not give up the remotes. A few tips in searching for a remote starter is to look for swtiches that look "aftermarket". For example, every remote starter unit I have seen installed has a valet and on/off switch. In both of our 4Runners, these switches are installed on the panel to the left of the parking brake. Another way to determine if you have a remote starter is to look under the hood. Usually there would would be a switch on the side that would cut off the engine if the hood was released when the vehicle was remote started.

The reason I believe that you have a "hidden" remote starter is because these trucks cannot be started unless you have a key with a specific chip in the ignition. That means it would be impossible to start the vehicle without a key that was programmed for your specific vehicle. Just a quick question, how many keys did you get with your truck?

 

[TechWrench]

:iagree:

You have to have some type of aftermarket remote starter system installed, because the vehicle should not be able to start without the ID chip in an OEM key some where close to the receiver in the dash.

 

[jharris2]

:iagree:

You have to have some type of aftermarket remote starter system installed, because the vehicle should not be able to start without the ID chip in an OEM key some where close to the receiver in the dash.

Unless there is a flaky problem occurring in the computer.

 

[Kmvreter]

Unless there is a flaky problem occurring in the computer.

Did you buy it used from a Toyota dealer? What kind of warranty do you have? I would definitely check the remote start possibility. I can't see it being hard wiring. I'm thinking (if you don't have a remote start) it's the Body ECU (window and door functions) or the Engine Control Module (starting has to go through this ECU) or a communication fault between them.

 

[fatport]

Thanks for all of the replies.

I think I've found a solution to the first problem. If I turn the ignition to on and wait a few seconds before starting it catches right away. I read in another thread that this might indicate that my fuel injector rail is not holding pressure.

Regarding the gremlin problem. If there's a remote start in this car it's very well hidden. I can find nothing under the dash or under the hood that looks aftermarket. My wife has one on her RAV4, and it's obvious. I bought the car from a Chrysler dealer who took it on trade from the original owner. I think they would have told me if there was a remote starter. I'm inclined to believe the person who suggested the problem is with the ECU. I'll post again if it recurs.

 

[HOJO]

steering vibration

the dealer replaced all 5 tires after i complained about my wheel
vibrating between 62mph & 71mph.

 

[otterball21]

You might have something up with your electrical system. It sounds like everything has gone haywire. Check your battery and the charge it's holding, I think something is up with your battery also.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Problem #1; If it is a fuel rail leak down problem that is definitely a warranty issue!! If you have a problem with the return line to the fuel tank, that could cause some thing like that. IE.. Allowing the pressure to bleed off. I can not imagine it is a fuel injector issue with an 04??? Unless you just got into a really bad batch of gas.

Problem #2; Have you ever ran a carfax report on you 4Runner?? That sure sounds like a intermittent Computer problem. I am an electronic tech for the FAA at Raleigh Durham airport (Big open area, Lots of tall metal things) and I can tell you I have seen lightning cause some strange intermittent problems with electronic equipment??? Is it possible your 4Runner has been near a lightning strike???