Intermittent starting issue

[dangros]

Here's a good one: My 2004 is normally fine. Starts right up w/o issues, runs great - but 4 times over the last 4-5 months it would turn over but not ignite. When it happened, I jammed the gas all the way down, tried again and it turned on. I have NO idea what is going on. The 4th and more recent time it happened to my wife. She called and I said to try moving the shifter into gear, back into park and try again. She did and it popped right on.
ANY idea??

 

[CXS]

Failing neutral safety switch would be my guess if shifting it solves the problem.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

My bet would be also on a neutral safety switch, the only thing that makes me somewhat unsure is that you say the vehicle tries to turn over but will not start. A neutral safety switch that was failing would act as if it were not in Park or Neutral and would not allow the vehicle to turn over at all. It could just be me being a little specific, but there is a difference between a No-crank, No-Start, and a No-start, but cranks over condition.

 

[CXS]

Good point, I jumped to the NSS after reading the last lines but, as you said, if it does turn over it certainly isn't the NSS.

 

[Simtech85]

I agree with BlackWorksInc. When my son's 240sx wouldn't start due to a failed clutch interlock relay, it wouldn't even turn over. Could be something in the fuel injection area, like a intermittent relay. My two cents..

 

[dangros]

Since I was going to Canada for a ski trip, I took the Runner to a local mechanic to see if he could shed any light on the problem. He shed light on it alright... the VSC OFF and the VSC TRAC lights! Apparently, when he hooked the computer up, he goofed up the zero calibration. He was clueless and said the lights were there to begin with. Luckily, someone on this board discussed the zero calibration so I was able to fix it. As for the initial problem, he could find nothing wrong w/the truck or the NSS.
Ironically, it happened again shortly after the mechanic visit. There is only one thing else I can think of. I had one of my master keys duplicated last year. It works but does NOT look like the standard toyota key. It's some after market one. Maybe it's off in some way?? Sounds unlikely but I've no clue otherwise.

Also, as an unrelated question: On the way back from the Canada trip, my console reported an avg of 29 mpg! It has never gone over 26 on the highway. Granted, I may have dome some inadvertent drafting w/slight traffic but 29?!!! Have any of you experienced this?