No power until engine warms up

mrpanic7

mrpanic7

New member
Is this normal? When I start driving my T4R, it's quick to up shift, and there is no power to accelerate and it even seems like it doesn't want to downshift under more throttle. This only continues until the engine warms up then it drives normal. Is this a failsafe to make sure we don't damage anything until everything is warm or is there something wrong?

:thanks:
 
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Shouldn't be doing that - in fact, when the engine is cold, it tends to be slow to upshift, to warm up the catalyst faster with higher engine RPMs generating more heat as a result of more frequent combustion. How long are you waiting after engine start before driving?
 
bytemaster0 said:
Shouldn't be doing that - in fact, when the engine is cold, it tends to be slow to upshift, to warm up the catalyst faster with higher engine RPMs generating more heat as a result of more frequent combustion. How long are you waiting after engine start before driving?
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well most the time bout a minute or so but usually about 10-20 seconds. But it happens EVERY time I start it and it hasn't been running for awhile. Perhaps I can upload a video of what it's doing. Any ideas??? :cry2:
 
MikeInNH said:
This is NOT normal. I startup and drive immediately and never had this problem.
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Ok here's a video. the runner does do it, just not as severe as when its colder.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/jfAw-ACkSEI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 
Thanks, does anyone have any idea as to what could be the cause? needs new plugs maybe? It's been this way since I bought it but didn't think anything of it, and I've already cleaned the MAF.
 
mrpanic7 said:
Thanks, does anyone have any idea as to what could be the cause? needs new plugs maybe? It's been this way since I bought it but didn't think anything of it, and I've already cleaned the MAF.
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Mine will do that too kind of, but that's when it's 40 degrees or colder outside, and anyway, I don't really beat on my engine when it's cold. What I experience is my truck holds onto gears for a really long time.

My expert diagnosis... Go to Toyota!
 
I noticed that your TPMS is indicating low tire pressure. It is certainly possible that Toyota has built in a response in the ECU that disables strong acceleration, and any condition where you could have high torque to the wheels - which is accomplished by slowing throttle response, and upshifting early, which reduces torque. See if fixing that issue resolves your problem. It also might explain why driving for a while resolves the issue - warmer tires probably reach a temperature where the pressure isn't as low, satisfying a safety threshold on the system. Definitely not going to be resolved with new plugs, it looks completely electronic. Give that a try.
 
bytemaster0 said:
I noticed that your TPMS is indicating low tire pressure. It is certainly possible that Toyota has built in a response in the ECU that disables strong acceleration, and any condition where you could have high torque to the wheels - which is accomplished by slowing throttle response, and upshifting early, which reduces torque. See if fixing that issue resolves your problem. It also might explain why driving for a while resolves the issue - warmer tires probably reach a temperature where the pressure isn't as low, satisfying a safety threshold on the system. Definitely not going to be resolved with new plugs, it looks completely electronic. Give that a try.
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I'm going to say no to your idea but thanks. Reason being is my TPMS is flashing not solid lit indicating that it is not communicating properly not that a tire is under pressure. good guess tho
 
Is you check-engine light on??

The VSC light is on...but couldn't tell if the check-engine light is on.

First thing I'd do is determine what is causing the flashing and illuminating warning lights.
 
MikeInNH said:
Is you check-engine light on??

The VSC light is on...but couldn't tell if the check-engine light is on.

First thing I'd do is determine what is causing the flashing and illuminating warning lights.
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No only lights is TPMS flashing (front driver TPMS is bad) and VSC TRAC/VSC OFF. No check engine light ever
 
I'm not so sure its the tires but its definatly within the ECU - Most likely a failsafe for some other sensor that is at fault within the engine. Just uber strange that there is no check engine light on, but I'd still run it for codes.
 
Huskey said:
I'm not so sure its the tires but its definatly within the ECU - Most likely a failsafe for some other sensor that is at fault within the engine. Just uber strange that there is no check engine light on, but I'd still run it for codes.
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that's the weird part Huskey is it doesn't throw any codes :( I've OBD'd it plenty of times. plus no check engine light
 
MikeInNH said:
Is you check-engine light on??

The VSC light is on...but couldn't tell if the check-engine light is on.

First thing I'd do is determine what is causing the flashing and illuminating warning lights.
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Good call, I just noticed those myself. Very likely has something to do with an electronic system detecting an error condition. All vehicles with modern ATs have "limp home" modes that are enabled if a safety threshold is not met. I suspected TPMS at first because it's the light that jumped out at me, but you're right, VSC/TRAC lights are on, which indicate a problem. I have since checked documentation for my '08, and there's nothing in the TPMS section that indicates slow response with low tire pressure.

On these cars, VSC/TRAC lights go on for many different conditions, and all of them can affect the ECU's decisions on how to run. Best is to get the diagnostic codes on the car to find out what is going on. Fix the problem, and the car will, in all likelihood, return to normal operation. The way it's responding, to me, indicates that this is all at the direction of an electronic system. As there are no mechanical parts that are involved in your vehicle responding this way, it has to be electronic.
 
bytemaster0 said:
Good call, I just noticed those myself. Very likely has something to do with an electronic system detecting an error condition. All vehicles with modern ATs have "limp home" modes that are enabled if a safety threshold is not met. I suspected TPMS at first because it's the light that jumped out at me, but you're right, VSC/TRAC lights are on, which indicate a problem. I have since checked documentation for my '08, and there's nothing in the TPMS section that indicates slow response with low tire pressure.

On these cars, VSC/TRAC lights go on for many different conditions, and all of them can affect the ECU's decisions on how to run. Best is to get the diagnostic codes on the car to find out what is going on. Fix the problem, and the car will, in all likelihood, return to normal operation. The way it's responding, to me, indicates that this is all at the direction of an electronic system. As there are no mechanical parts that are involved in your vehicle responding this way, it has to be electronic.
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Not to shoot down your 2nd guess, but VSC is OFF because I did it. I removed zero point calibration. If it was related to VSC OFF, I wouldn't have this issue only when motor is cold and I wouldnt be the only person with it. Atleast thats my educated guess
 
mrpanic7 said:
that's the weird part Huskey is it doesn't throw any codes :( I've OBD'd it plenty of times. plus no check engine light
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Need a Toyota scanner on this one. There are many codes that aren't thrown via OBD2. VSC/TRAC lights should definitely not be on while driving. As both of these systems are intimately connected with engine response, this is likely your best way to resolve it. Go to your dealer, have them hook up their scanner, and you'll know very soon what the problem is and how to fix it.

Edit: Just saw your post. I'd still bet that this is connected. Even if it's not, the response of your car clearly indicates an electronically-regulated condition.
 
bytemaster0 said:
Need a Toyota scanner on this one. There are many codes that aren't thrown via OBD2. VSC/TRAC lights should definitely not be on while driving. As both of these systems are intimately connected with engine response, this is likely your best way to resolve it. Go to your dealer, have them hook up their scanner, and you'll know very soon what the problem is and how to fix it.
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Again VSC is OFF on purpose guys. Point is this issue has always been here regardless of what VSC is doing. But if it makes you feel better. I will do a zero point calibration then test again in the morning.
 
A good way to make sure its not the TPMS is to find another 4runner, FJ or Taco and park beside it for a good while until your indication light stops blinkin. I think its about a 20 minute delay - maybe longer - but should be enough time for your 4runner to cool down, then see what happens

FWIW I rarely carry my spare around town and mine is always blinkin at me only sometimes (alot of toyotas around where I live) and I never had this issue
 
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