2002 4Runner - Intermittent Problem - Cranks but won't Start

[bluependa]

Hello to All. Searched thru the threads, no exact same problem, please help.

2002 4Runner - Intermittent problem - Cranks but won't Start. Cranks fine, strong battery, strong starter, but then every other week crank-crank-crank but no start. Let it sit for an hour+, and then it magically starts. Very hard to trouble shoot intermittent problem.

1. All the battery connections are clean & good
2. Fuel pump sounds like it is priming (any good way to check this ?)
3. Once it does start - it runs fine.
4. No error codes

So...???

** If it could be a Fuel issue, what steps should I take to troubleshoot ?

** If it could be an Electical issue, what steps should I take to troubleshoot ?

Thanks,
BluePenda

 

[kball]

Our pumps don't prime. Once you are cranking they are pumping. Since it runs fine once it starts, your pump should be good. Maybe a check valve letting the fuel drain back? Does it ever start to fire and then dies and won't start?

Try this even though it makes no sense on fuel injected engines. It works every time on my wife's 06 Mazda 3 that has this same problem maybe once a year. Pump the gas pedal while cranking.

 

[bluependa]

1. The parts-guy, said it could be the 'fuel primer pump', so are you saying there is no 'fuel primer pump' ? (he mentioned that this is the small bzzzzzz noise you hear when you turn the key to the 'on' position before it starts, to verify that the fuel primer pump was/is working)

2. No on the question about fire-then-dies, it either starts and runs fine, or just cranks-cranks-cranks without turning over.

3. I know I am old-school, tried the pump the pedal, does not produce any results.

Next thoughts please....

 

[kball]

I haven't seen anything about a primer pump. I used to think that noise was the pump priming too but since reading the FSM I don't know what it is.