new 2002 wont start

[heavy]

i bought a used 2002 4runner yesterday from a dealer. 56k miles that was returned on a due lease. in other words, it looks flawless.

when we went for a test drive, it didn't start! we had to jump it. not a good impression.

i drive it home (about 100 miles) with no problems.

about two hours later i try to start it...

turn the ignition and the car sounds quite normal, but just doesn't catch. i can hold the ignition down and it just keeps on trying, trying... but it just won't catch. after trying for about ten minutes (and attemtping an unsuccessful jump start) it started up after holding in the ignition for about ten seconds.

i drive it for an hour or so, bring it back, then sleep.

this morning, the same bs is happening.

my neighbor said that his range rover was doing the same thing at a time. it was due to a setting in his alarm system, but i don't think that's the problem with mine...we tried.

so i know it's a broad and cliche question, but any idea what could be wrong? this car should be brand new!

 

[heavy]

update!

i got the truck started but i think i have more problems, either linked or not.

as of now, my check engine light is on, my VSC TRAC light is on, and my VSC OFF light is on. i read the manual and tried fixing this stuff, but i can't.

isn't turning on/off the VSC as simple as pressing the central differential lock switch while the car is moving in 4wd? no matter what i do, i can't get the light to go off...probably because of a bigger problem i'm not aware of.

did i screw up my truck or is there an easy fix for this?

thanks!

 

[TeCKis300]

Could be any number of things....

Are you saying that once it's started...it runs fine?

Are you getting fuel and spark?

The problem could be very simple, but without any tools or idea, you probably can't figure it out yourself. Any mechanic should be able to diagnose it relatively easily.

 

[Solice]

update!

i got the truck started but i think i have more problems, either linked or not.

as of now, my check engine light is on, my VSC TRAC light is on, and my VSC OFF light is on. i read the manual and tried fixing this stuff, but i can't.

isn't turning on/off the VSC as simple as pressing the central differential lock switch while the car is moving in 4wd? no matter what i do, i can't get the light to go off...probably because of a bigger problem i'm not aware of.

did i screw up my truck or is there an easy fix for this?

thanks!

I think a few other's had this issue and it turned out to be a bad sensor. Try doing a search on it. I know there was another thread about it (maybe even more then 1).

 

[Solice]

Here, I just found these threads. Looks like it may be the O2 sensor or maybe the gas cap isn't tightened completely (?). Another one talks about a Yaw Sensor. Hope these help:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12002&highlight=bad+sensor
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13309
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12970

Also, I don't know if your truck has a remote start installed but that has been known to cause an issue if it wasn't installed correctly.

 

[greasefingers]

Make sure it is not the alarm, that you have fuel, and that the battery is fully charged. Or see if the dealer will tow it back.

The oxygen sensors are in an Open Loop during start-up, so the ECU does not use the Inputs from these sensors until the engine is at operating temperature. In other words it will not prevent the engine from starting. Neither will a bad gasket on the gas cap. They will light up the Check Engine light as these two sensors are an important part of the emission system.

The sensors, computers (ECU) and general electronics do not run well with marginal battery voltage. It is imperative to know if the battery is fully charged. A static voltage measurement of less than 12.5 volts is NFG. You could swap another battery from a second vehicle if you do not have a multimeter or you could remove the battery and bring it to Sears, AutoZone, etc for testing. After battery confirmation, you then need to figure out if it is a no spark or fuel delivery issue, as techis300 stated. You can pull a plug wire and hold it about a 1/4 inch from a ground and look for arcing.