Oh, it's going to be a fun day for me (sarcasm)

[Mr. Berks]

Earlier this week, the runner' was starting kinda weird. It choked a bit, and then turned over and was fine the rest of the day.

Yesterday, it did the same thing (choked), but then didn't start the first time. Just died. I turned the key back, gave it a sec, turned the key forward some, then forward to start, and it started right up.

Today, I have the joys of figuring out if it's:
A: the battery (which was just replaced last Sept.)
B. spark plugs (replaced about 16,000 miles ago)
C. spark plug wires
D. all of the above
E. none of the above

If anyone has had this issue, and/or has any idea what this could be, please let me know and help make this day a little less "fun"

Much thanks!

 

[drinknmolson]

With it choking I would be looking at the intake and make sure the MAF and the throttle body are clean, I had a start issue recently but it was just a badly corroded battery terminal. Others will be chiming in soon and we'll help ya get this figured out!

 

[runrunner]

I had a similar experience with mine when I bought it. It would do that al lot if I shut if off and attempted to restart within a short amount of time (getting gas for example).

It would try and start then stall. Sometimes it took me a couple times to get it to go then it would stumble to life and be fine.

I removed and cleaned the throttle body and IAC valve which seemed to have helped a lot. It still does it occasionaly, but not nearly as much or as bad.

 

[Mr. Berks]

[update]

First of all, thanks guys for chiming in, and helping sort through the mystery. I like working on the 4runner and doing maintenance and all, but when it acts up like this, it really helps to post on here and get some extra help.

Miraculously, the problem did not replicate as I tried to videotape the issue. Regardless, I want to address the issue and prevent anything expensive or even worse, being left stranded with a dead car.

A short trip to O'Reillys Auto Parts sorted some stuff out for me. Tested the battery, alternator, and starter. All are good.

I'm left to assume it's either the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and now, possibly, the MAF and throttle.

Throttle and MAF/IAC valve cleaning tomorrow, followed by a spark plug/wire check.

Will update as I work along.

 

[Diagram14]

Im looking to do the same TB and IAC deep clean sometime soon. Was looking for new gaskets out of curiousity while at O'Reillys and they couldnt pull anything up for me. Are those Toyota only gaskets or are they reuseable?

 

[brian2sun]

The gaskets are dealer only items. They are reusable, but they were only <$10 for both. I did have to wait about 2 or 3 days for them to come in though.

 

[jreask]

My 4runner was idling low and the throttle body cleaning did wonders. It's amazing how much better they run after a simple cleaning.

 

[g8rdmd]

+1 for MAF/TB cleaning. Haven't had that issue in my 4R, but have in other cars--amazing how much of a difference it can make. Hope your issue is simple :reddance:

 

[Mr. Berks]

[update]

I had a small amount of time to work on things, so I cleaned out the Carb and MAF/IAC top to bottom. After getting it back together, the issue is still happening.

On the plus side, the runner does pickup a bit quicker and it couldn't have been a bad thing to clean those out. But on the minus, the issue is still happening. Even worse now, too. I had to turn the key back and forth 5-7 times yesterday to get it started. Definitely need to get to the bottom of this quick!

By process of elimination, I believe I'm left with one of the following being the problem:
A) a/the spark plug(s)
B) spark plug wires
C) distributor

Any other ideas what it could be?

Much thanks!!

 

[cfranck1]

When did you change your fuel filter last??

Check that first. Might be almost clogged up if it hasn't been changed in a while or you got a bad tank of gas. Did you fill up and then it started to act up??

Could also be a fuel pump. You say now that you have to turn the key on and off 5-7 times. Pump might be losing it's prime. Fuel pump could be dieing slowly. I've seen them work perfectly one day, then the next leave you stranded.

Good luck.
Keep us posted..

 

[Sig220]

I am in agreement with the previous poster. Check your fuel system.

If it were your plugs or wires, you would know because the condition would be present all the time.......and more noticeable at certain times. Plus you should have a check engine light in most cases.

Good Luck!

 

[bulger22]

My check engine light came on when two plugs/wires went out on mine last year. Sounds like fuel pump or filter. Filter is easier to fix and cheap and couldn't hurt to change anyways if haven't done in awhile. Then on to pump. Process of elimination is how it all goes down lol

 

[Mr. Berks]

When did you change your fuel filter last??

Check that first. Might be almost clogged up if it hasn't been changed in a while or you got a bad tank of gas. Did you fill up and then it started to act up??

Could also be a fuel pump. You say now that you have to turn the key on and off 5-7 times. Pump might be losing it's prime. Fuel pump could be dieing slowly. I've seen them work perfectly one day, then the next leave you stranded.

Good luck.
Keep us posted..

Agreed. The spark plugs and wires have been ruled out as an issue.

As far as bad gas... could be, but I've never heard of anything like that before.

I haven't changed anything with the fuel system since I bought the car.

I'm going to take a look into this tomorrow, do some internet research, and then see if I can check things out.

I made a quick video of the issue this morning as I was on my way out.

YouTube - 4runner issue

More to follow...

Thanks again guys.

 

[4daRUNNER]

Let me clear this up a bit. When you said "choke", you meant choke as in "did not do anything" or it literally choked like it was getting to much or too little fuel?

I had this problem in my Honda Accord recently. It turned out to be my ignition switch. I would wiggle the key/lock cylinder a bit and turn it over at the same time. Lucky for me Honda had a recall for the cd5 year models. YAY! But mine would completely shut down while driving. Do you have that problem?
Keep us posted.

 

[kball]

From watching the video I'd say it's the common starter contact issue. You turn the key and all you get is a click right? Then after several tries it starts no problem? To bad you said you had the starter tested. So you already had it out? Could have changed those contacts already.

 

[Mr. Berks]

Let me clear this up a bit. When you said "choke", you meant choke as in "did not do anything" or it literally choked like it was getting to much or too little fuel?

I had this problem in my Honda Accord recently. It turned out to be my ignition switch. I would wiggle the key/lock cylinder a bit and turn it over at the same time. Lucky for me Honda had a recall for the cd5 year models. YAY! But mine would completely shut down while driving. Do you have that problem?
Keep us posted.

It never shut down while driving, only on startup.

The first couple times the issue happened, the car choked a couple times, then died. Now, as you see on the video, nothing happens. I turn the key and there's no choke, just 'click' and car won't start.

Ignition could definitely be the issue.

 

[Mr. Berks]

From watching the video I'd say it's the common starter contact issue. You turn the key and all you get is a click right? Then after several tries it starts no problem? To bad you said you had the starter tested. So you already had it out? Could have changed those contacts already.

Yep, that's exactly the issue (turn the key, and all I get is a click. Then, several tries later, it starts as if nothing had ever happened).

I never, physically, removed the starter to check for issues. The starter was ruled out based on the test that the O'Reilly Auto Parts guy did. He hooked up cables to the battery, and the machine he used had programs to check the starter, alternator, and battery.

How do I check the starter contacts?

Thanks!!

 

[97-4xFunner]

I had the exact same issue with starting. Would turn the key and only a faint click. Bought some contacts from a guy on ttora.com installed the right set and problem solved. This happened a few years back and he sold me a couple sets for $20 to make sure i got the right ones. May still be able to find him. Too late to attempt the search now. I wish I had found him before i had replace the ignition key cylinder and wasted a lot of time troubleshooting.

 

[AKAndy]

Yep, that's exactly the issue (turn the key, and all I get is a click. Then, several tries later, it starts as if nothing had ever happened).

I never, physically, removed the starter to check for issues. The starter was ruled out based on the test that the O'Reilly Auto Parts guy did. He hooked up cables to the battery, and the machine he used had programs to check the starter, alternator, and battery.

How do I check the starter contacts?

Thanks!!

It sounds like you may have two separate issues, but one of them definitely sounds like the starter. Once you get the starter sorted out, I would continue your process of elimination to figure out why it's dying once you get it started. I agree with some of the previous posters that it sounds like you may have a fuel issue of some sort.

Here's a writeup on the starter contact replacement:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/63228-another-starter-contacts-removal-thread.html

 

[BTO]

Let me clear this up a bit. When you said "choke", you meant choke as in "did not do anything" or it literally choked like it was getting to much or too little fuel?

I was thinking the same. The OP just used the wrong terminology. Choke in auto terms means an over rich condition but that's not what he meant. I think he meant a problem cranking the motor.

OP, you need to clarify so you don't send these people on a wild goose chase.