Is this normal?

[repo]

I bought a 1999 SR5 v6 3.4L. I notice that it takes 6 or 7 cranks before the engine starts (I mean I need to hold the key in the start position that long for it to start). If I have been driving within the last 10-20 mins the engine will start on the 1st or 2nd crank.

It feels weird compared to my regular car which starts on the 1st crank every time. Is it something to worry about or is this normal on 4Runners?

 

[Uneek]

I would say it's normal. Every car I've owned (haven't noticed the in the 4R) has a shorter crank time when the engine is warm compared to cold. I haven't noticed in the 4R due to the crank and hold feature, so I just flick the key to 'start' and let the truck do its magic.

 

[centxrunner]

How old is your battery? I am only on my second battery on my 99 4R. About 1-2 months before my original battery crapped out it was hard starting taking 4-5 cranks to start getting worse until that dreaded morning came along and their was no crank at all.

 

[Koz]

I have a 98 3.4 and it does not matter hot or cold, it starts the same way, 1 - 2 second crank.

Koz

 

[repo]

Someone said on the '99 v6 they don't have a distributor, they have a "direct ignition" or something, and the computer/sensors wont start the engine until 4 or 5 cranks. Does that sound like B.S. ?

 

[pat161]

Well the part about direct iginition is true, the V6 has been distributorless since 96 or 97. Whether it is programmed to take 4 cranks I cannot say, but seems others have stated 1 or 2 cranks for them, I call BS. I will say that my 02 3.4 takes longer to turn over than my 00 2.7.

 

[Koz]

The one thing I can tell you is the 3.4 is one hell of an engine!

Koz

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I have 119k on my '99 and it starts up within a few cranks.

 

[Northof49]

I'd say you're pretty normal....the 3.4 in my Taco would seem to be the same. If it seems to be getting longer, I'd point fingers at the battery; tis the time of year when a weak battery would go out as the weather cools. You want a few cranks from dead cold tho to get all the fluids moving.

 

[AlexJet]

... I haven't noticed in the 4R due to the crank and hold feature, so I just flick the key to 'start' and let the truck do its magic.

That's because 4th Gen. got an "automatic starter" feature. You just have to push the key into the "start" position, and then release it; vehicle electronic then will start the truck automatically.
Repo has 3rd Gen. As far as I remember 3rd Gen. didn't have "auto" feature, so you have to hold the key in "start" position. I agreed with everything above mentioned. Looks like its normal. Make sure your battery is still good.

 

[Uneek]

That's because 4th Gen. got an "automatic starter" feature. You just have to push the key into the "start" position, and then release it; vehicle electronic then will start the truck automatically.
Repo has 3rd Gen. As far as I remember 3rd Gen. didn't have "auto" feature, so you have to hold the key in "start" position. I agreed with everything above mentioned. Looks like its normal. Make sure your battery is still good.

Right Alex. I know Repo has a 3rd gen. I'm just saying that I don't notice the crank duration difference, if any, between warm vs. a cold on my 4R because of the "crank and hold" (I believe that's the name Toyota gave it) feature--for the self start after flicking it into 'Start'. On past cars, I've noticed when it's warm it takes fewer cranks.

The 4th gen has a complete different V6, but I can observe how it starts warm vs. cold on my Tacoma since it doesn't have the "crank and hold" feature.

But as others have mentioned, which I forgot about is the battery. Cold weather takes a toll on battery performance.