Starting issue (not the starter contacts)

[cj80cruiser]

I have a weird little starting issue that comes up when I let my truck sit for a day or more. Usually turns over quite a few times before it cranks. I've already changed my starter contacts a month ago and all has been great with that. This just started about a week ago out of the blue. I bought some plugs and wires today and should have them installed tomorrow unless I get called in to work. Any other ideas?

 

[the great him]

how old is your battery?

 

[cj80cruiser]

It's old but tests fine. The starter spins like its getting enough juice. Its not sluggish at all. Almost seems like gas isn't getting to it fast enough. If I turn the truck off after the initial start or anytime during the rest of the day it fires right back up with no problems

 

[the great him]

fuel filter...? i know a lot of guys ignore(more like over look) the fuel filer, but they are cheep and easy to get to and swap. if its been more than 60k then it could use it anyways idk.

i dont mean to question your mechanical abilities but is there a possibility that there is a slight short with the new contacts in the starter? and your battery is draining itself during long sits... i know you said it tests out fine, but when are you testing it? after is been running for a little bit or after its been sitting? if you have a second vehicle try letting your runner sit for a day or two with out starting it, and see if you have a dead battery...

 

[cj80cruiser]

I've let it sit for a couple days when I work with my dad. I did think of the filter when I was thinking it seems like gas isn't getting to it. That will be the next on my list if plugs and wires dont do it. It needs new plugs and wires anyway and if I'd thought about the fuel filter when I was at the dealerships parts counter today I would have gotten it too.

The battery hasn't been cold tested but it's spinning the starter like it should or atleast it sounds strong. Maybe old plugs you think?

I'm sure it's always a good practice to check the gap but do the Densos from the dealer come pre gapped?

 

[the great him]

well a good old fashioned tune up never hurt nothing... any number of several things could be causing this. short(covered that angle), battery(again covered), plugs/wires(your about to cover that one), fuel(your gonna look/see at the filter) -pump(not likely but still an option) -cold start injector or just the injectors in general(again not likely but...), then we could get into sensors... -crank position, AFM, TPS, ect.

other guys feel free to chim in here if you've experienced this sorta issue. its always hard to trouble shoot online lol i have a feeling its not a sensor or the pump or injectors. i have been known to be wrong once or twice but only when i play maga-millions lol

 

[cj80cruiser]

I think we're on the same page here. It may not be related but I'm going to clean my throttle body and maf sensor also. I may do it in stages to see which is the culprit but then again while I have everything off I may just go ahead and do it all.

So, do I need to gap these plugs?

 

[fightman80]

Mine does the same exact thing! It would make sense that it's the fuel filter!

There is also a slight whining sound when the truck is running....thinking it's either my Alternator or the fuel pump or both?? I'm now thinking I've got 2 sounds at once, and that one of them is the fuel pump....possible whining because it's working hard due to a dirty fuel filter???

 

[the great him]

Mine does the same exact thing! It would make sense that it's the fuel filter!

There is also a slight whining sound when the truck is running....thinking it's either my Alternator or the fuel pump or both?? I'm now thinking I've got 2 sounds at once, and that one of them is the fuel pump....possible whining because it's working hard due to a dirty fuel filter???

you got it fightman! you let that go long enough and you will be buying a new pump too(it would have to go for a long time but still no need to stress a $300 part for being to cheep to replace a $15 one)

 

[cj80cruiser]

Mine does the same exact thing! It would make sense that it's the fuel filter!

There is also a slight whining sound when the truck is running....thinking it's either my Alternator or the fuel pump or both?? I'm now thinking I've got 2 sounds at once, and that one of them is the fuel pump....possible whining because it's working hard due to a dirty fuel filter???

Have you tried cleaning the IAC valve? I don't think thats your whining problem but it may help start up. I'm going to clean mine and see if that helps too.

 

[cj80cruiser]

Stole this pic from a search

Disregard those grayed out lines. I tried to cover them up from the original pic.

What I have circled in green is the IACV? Anyone taken this off and cleaned it without removing the throttle body?

 

[simmonsauto]

The throttle body has to come off unless you have crazy small hands and screwdrivers.. Have you checked fuel pressure? A clogged fuel filter will usually start normal and idle fine all day long. You notice the filter going bad under a load. If youre capable of testing fuel pressure, check the key on, engine off psi. then check psi with engine running. then shut it off and leave the gauge hooked up over night. See if the pressure is bleeding off which could cause extended cranking time. But first I would just throw the new plugs and wires on.

 

[attitudeofgratitud]

The throttle body has to come off unless you have crazy small hands and screwdrivers.. Have you checked fuel pressure? A clogged fuel filter will usually start normal and idle fine all day long. You notice the filter going bad under a load. If youre capable of testing fuel pressure, check the key on, engine off psi. then check psi with engine running. then shut it off and leave the gauge hooked up over night. See if the pressure is bleeding off which could cause extended cranking time. But first I would just throw the new plugs and wires on.

^What he said.
In the morning, turn the key on(not running) and jumper Fp and B+ in your diagnostic port on the intake. I believe your year still has the Fp pin. That will run the fuel pump. Hop in and see if it starts quicker. If it's due for a tune-up, by all means do that also. Only other thing is sometimes the ECT sensors get a little wacky and think the engines already at operating temp. It'll cause the injectors pulse width to be smaller(leaner). You don't want that when the engines cold.

 

[cj80cruiser]

I still have several things to do but the first thing can be checked off the list...fuel filter. Actually seems like it got worse. Now it slow starts almost every time I crank it, hot or cold. I believe this is coincidence. Hopefully I can do the tune up tomorrow along with cleaning the maf and throttle body. Have to see if that helps. If not then I guess its on to checking the fuel pressure.

 

[cj80cruiser]

So I installed new spark plugs, wires, cleaned throttle body, and cleaned the MAF sensor. Truck seems to start up much quicker but still not convinced its fixed. I'll give it a few more days to be sure.

One thing I've noticed is that my truck runs pretty high RPMs when I first turn it on like the AC is on but its not. RPMs as high as 1.2-1.4k when in park.

I think its been doing it for awhile now but I just now paid attention to it.

 

[heyojaybo]

same problem

hey mate , i have a 86 2.4l diesel 4runner and i am having the same pronlem.i have just recieved some new glow plubs to see if that is my problem.
how did you go with your truck? did you find the problem?

 

[Singtoe]

hey mate , i have a 86 2.4l diesel 4runner and i am having the same pronlem.i have just recieved some new glow plubs to see if that is my problem.
how did you go with your truck? did you find the problem?

This is like comparing apples and oranges. Two totally different systems.