When my 06 4Runner V8 sits for a few days and I start it, it cranks and seems to start immediately, but the engine drops out momentarily before catching and running fine. Does not do that if the engine has been run daily. Battery is the original and my first thought was that it was dying, but I did a load test and it passed just fine. Anyone experience this and what was the cause? Tnx!
Start Hesitation
- Thread starter POPSRNR
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
preacher35
New member
OK, that is strange. So you are saying that the you turn the vehicle over, it begins to run, then, for a split second, shuts off, but then starts back up without you having to "recrank" it? Off the top of my head, I would assume that it is a fuel delivery problem. That being said, I'm sure more members will chime in.
Last edited:
Thanks Preacher. I suspect the battery is the problem although I just now did another load test and it remained in the "Good" range. Eight years on a battery seems to me to be about the best you can expect. I disconnected the battery to reset the ECU so we will see if that does anything. I have an appointment for an annual safety inspection tomorrow and I'll see if I can pick the brains of the techs for ideas.
Could be. Wonder if that would cause a stored code?
Let me see if I can provide a better description of the problem. Turn the key to the spring-loaded start position, engine cranks and appears to start almost immediately, release the key, engine appears to die momentarily then "catches" and runs normally.
Let me see if I can provide a better description of the problem. Turn the key to the spring-loaded start position, engine cranks and appears to start almost immediately, release the key, engine appears to die momentarily then "catches" and runs normally.
preacher35
New member
OK, I'm trying to understand you. Are you saying that you turn the key, your motor turns over and "combustion" actually occurs, then "appears to die momentarily then catches and runs normally"? Or are you saying that "combustion" does not occur until AFTER the motor "dies" and then "catches"?
Good question.
Under normal conditions, when I turn the key to the start position--say for 1-2 seconds--and release it, the engine instantly fires and away we go. When this fault occurs, the engine seems to start at the same "1-2 second" point, then dies momentarily followed within a second or so by the engine starting.
Is the engine actually running at the end of the 1-2 second cranking? Thinking about that, probably not, but without doing anything else with the key it does start. Maybe it would be better characterized as a pause after the 1-2 second cranking followed by the engine starting.
So, let me describe the issue again. Turn the key to start for the normal amount of time, release key, cranking stops, engine not running for a second or so, then "catches" and starts.
Under normal conditions, when I turn the key to the start position--say for 1-2 seconds--and release it, the engine instantly fires and away we go. When this fault occurs, the engine seems to start at the same "1-2 second" point, then dies momentarily followed within a second or so by the engine starting.
Is the engine actually running at the end of the 1-2 second cranking? Thinking about that, probably not, but without doing anything else with the key it does start. Maybe it would be better characterized as a pause after the 1-2 second cranking followed by the engine starting.
So, let me describe the issue again. Turn the key to start for the normal amount of time, release key, cranking stops, engine not running for a second or so, then "catches" and starts.
earthrealm
Senior Member
had a similar prob on my rav..it later degenerated to not starting on ist crank when it has been sitting for about a day,...was sure it wasnt the battery...poked around on the rav4 forum,,,some1 said something about the injector being dirty or bad fuel in the tank......i poured a can of injector in the tank.......and 2 weeks after, the problem is gone.......
fullboogie
New member
Don't know if this is applicable, but it's worth a try:
Next time the truck has been sitting for a while, turn the key to the "acc" position, then back off, then "acc" again, back off, then try to start it. Let us know if it cures the problem.
Here's my thinking (based on another vehicle I own) - most fuel systems have a check valve near the fuel pump that is supposed to hold fuel pressure when the truck is off. When that check valve starts leaking or otherwise goes bad, pressure is bled back off into the tank. So when you go to start it after it's been sitting for a few days, the quick twist of the key is not enough to "prime" the fuel rail/injectors to get it running. But doing the procedure above (key on, off several times) kicks the fuel pump on and pressurizes the system properly.
Let us know...
Next time the truck has been sitting for a while, turn the key to the "acc" position, then back off, then "acc" again, back off, then try to start it. Let us know if it cures the problem.
Here's my thinking (based on another vehicle I own) - most fuel systems have a check valve near the fuel pump that is supposed to hold fuel pressure when the truck is off. When that check valve starts leaking or otherwise goes bad, pressure is bled back off into the tank. So when you go to start it after it's been sitting for a few days, the quick twist of the key is not enough to "prime" the fuel rail/injectors to get it running. But doing the procedure above (key on, off several times) kicks the fuel pump on and pressurizes the system properly.
Let us know...
preacher35
New member
Yup, like I said... fuel delivery problem. Makes sense.
fullboogie
New member
If that ends up being the issue, the question is going to be this - does Toyota sell just the check valve assembly, or are we going to get screwed for the whole pump assembly? Had this happen on my Durango, and Dodge would NOT sell just the check valve (even though it was a separate component). Had to drop the tank and change the entire pump setup just for this one little part. Ugh.
Tried the on/off key routine after sitting for 3 days and the car is starting normally now. However, prior to the suggestion of doing this, I had reset the ECU, so I'm not sure which, if either, corrected the problem. Time will tell if the problem is "permanently" corrected. Thanks to all for their suggestions and comments!
earthrealm
Senior Member
on the rav, tried discoonnecting the battery for 15mins to reset the ecu...the problem still persisted.
am leaning towards the fuel injector cleaner doing the trick or a bad batch of fuel in the tank wch has finished...mine also stopped with 2weeks/60 miles of using the injector cleaner......the car aint driven much bout 4 - 6miles roundtrip daily
