Starting issue?

[markfagus]

Hi guys.
1988 4Runner 3.0 auto
270k miles, engine rebuilt at 258k with new timing belt.

In the fall I had an issue where the 4Runner would not start right away. it just cranked and cranked but finally after about 5 minutes she fired up and ran fine and has been running fine ever since.

Yesterday went out to start it and same thing, just cranked and cranked but would not start.
Went out this morning checked relay and it was working fine, checked fuses and all were good. put battery on the charger since I had run it down some.
Figured I would pull the codes no codes.
I tried to start again while the paperclip was still jumping (forgot it was still in) and what do ya know, she fired up and ran fine. Pulled it into the garage to finish recharging battery. Turned it off, tried to restart and she immediately fired right up and idled perfectly like she normally does.

I am scratching my head on this one. Anybody have any clue as to what I have going on?
Like I mentioned, I had this issue back in the fall and she eventually fired up. Have had no issues since then (until yesterday) and have logged approx 5k miles since then.

Help...


Mark

 

[crutchy]

I just got done chasing my own gremlins down for the starter. Mine seemed as if the starter was not cranking fast enough to start the engine. I'm not sure if this is the same problem that you are having. But, after changing out cables, fuses and even the starter I broke down and got the Hot Shot kit from painless wiring.

Painless Performance: Hot Shot Kit

While taking off the battery cable terminal for the 100th or so time it cracked. New terminals helped remedy the problem for the most part, but with the hot shot on there it cranks better than it ever has.

 

[markfagus]

Crutchy, that is not my issue. Starter is working perfectly fine. My issue seems more fuel related.

Mark

 

[crutchy]

I was guessing since you had mentioned putting it on the charger and what not. Have you checked the cold start injector? I've heard of these malfunctioning making it very hard to get the motor to turn over. However, once warm it will restart just fine. There is a simple test you can do using a multimeter to see if it is the culprit.

Best of luck with it.

 

[KidVermicious]

Hi guys.
1988 4Runner 3.0 auto
270k miles, engine rebuilt at 258k with new timing belt.

In the fall I had an issue where the 4Runner would not start right away. it just cranked and cranked but finally after about 5 minutes she fired up and ran fine and has been running fine ever since.

Yesterday went out to start it and same thing, just cranked and cranked but would not start.
Went out this morning checked relay and it was working fine, checked fuses and all were good. put battery on the charger since I had run it down some.
Figured I would pull the codes no codes.
I tried to start again while the paperclip was still jumping (forgot it was still in) and what do ya know, she fired up and ran fine. Pulled it into the garage to finish recharging battery. Turned it off, tried to restart and she immediately fired right up and idled perfectly like she normally does.

I am scratching my head on this one. Anybody have any clue as to what I have going on?
Like I mentioned, I had this issue back in the fall and she eventually fired up. Have had no issues since then (until yesterday) and have logged approx 5k miles since then.

Help...


Mark

I'm no mechanic, but it's gotta have something to do with what's being bypassed when you jump the check terminals.

 

[SwiftRunner]

I was guessing since you had mentioned putting it on the charger and what not. Have you checked the cold start injector? I've heard of these malfunctioning making it very hard to get the motor to turn over. However, once warm it will restart just fine. There is a simple test you can do using a multimeter to see if it is the culprit.

Best of luck with it.

I don't know where we are here, but when it comes to the cold start injector, there are two tests you can perform. One is with the multimeter and tests the "switch" the other is a sound test which let's you know if the injector turns on and off. I did both tests and determined that the injector is o.k. However, I am still thinking about replacing it.

 

[77'911]

You might check:
1)efi relay(inexpensive, you might consider just changing it out with those miles)
2)ignition switch
3)check for spark and fuel pressures(rest and running)
The ethanol has done a number on the rubber in, or on the fuel systems in these trucks. You might give it a once over. I've had to completely rebuild ours.
regards