Starting issues 1999 5VZ-FE

[dietcookie]

Hi guys, I have a 99 5VZ-FE 4WD whose having some starting issues. It has 93K miles on it, I just bought it recently and I don't have service history other than a new battery back in 07/2010 and a timing belt/water pump replacement back at 70k.

So it takes like a good 2-3 seconds to crank until the engine starts up. I have a 2000 Tacoma with the 3RZ-FE and it starts up instantly (now I figured, ok it's a different engine so it's not going to the act the same) but to me it just takes too long. I can hear it crank a good couple times and then it'll start up. Sometimes, I hear the engine go and I'll release the key only to have it stall. I'll wait a few and it'll do the same but if I step on the gas while it's cranking it'll start up (well so far..).

Also, my idle in Park is around 600RPM, seems kind of low, is this normal?

Any ideas what it could be? Spark Plugs? Starter? Battery? Fuel Pump? Fuel Filter? Thanks guys.

 

[kball]

It's normal for the 3.4 to crank some before firing. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Singtoe]

Mine does the same thing. If anybody has a fix, let us know.

 

[Nates_NW4Runner]

Just a thought... but I've found (sometimes) that if you have apply throttle to get it to start or if it "takes too long" to start, it could be that the IAC valve needs to be cleaned.

When you say your idle is at 600rpm, is this while it's cold or after it has warmed up?

"Normal" warm idle = 600-750rpm
"Normal" cold idle = 1200-1500rpm

 

[mattman]

I used to have similar problems starting after it was warmed up - say like after a fill up or rest area ... sometimes I would stall on startup. I ended up cleaning the throttle body, cleaning the MAF sensor, and replacing plugs, and it's a ton better now, but still not perfect ... I may try cleaning the idle air control as others have suggested too and see if that fixes the last little bit

 

[Jon]

I went through this when I first got my Runner. It will be fine for a while. If it's turning over fine and just not firing for a few seconds, then it will be the fuel pump getting weak. Drop the tank and throw a new pump in it. I tried cleaning the throttle body, new plugs n wires but the fuel pump fixed it. I got mine from Advance Auto and it's been great for past 6K mi. Takes about an hr to swap out with an empty tank. Good luck too ya

 

[dietcookie]

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll look into the fuel pump (which was kind of my first thought to begin with). Sounds like my idle is normal then it is indeed 600rpm on warm start up.

 

[EquineRunner97]

Sounds similar to what my 97 was doing when I first bought it. Came out one day and the battery was dead. Replaced the battery with an Optima RedTop battery, and it starts on a dime.

Start with the fuel pump, and if that doesn't work, try a different (newer) battery in it and see if that solves the problem.

 

[RadRunner]

I have been having the same problems as well. the vehicle is older now and more suspected to to have idle or start up issues. Since this problem I have, like many members clean MAF, throttle body, used seafoam through my manifold, changed battery, spark plugs, and new fuel filter. All of these combined made a difference in idle and start up but unfortunately the problem still persists. SO NOW IM THINKING THE IAC or idle air control has something to do, because only sometimes when I start from a cold start in the morn it will warmp up at 600RPM WTF?:shrug: