help- hard to start - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

FRITO · 11-01-2003, 06:29 PM

well after my car sits for a while like 5+ hours it becomes hard to start. once its started it runs fine and will start long as it doesnt sit for hours.

well my check engine light is constantly on now. i had my mechanic find the code and it turned out to be the water temp sensor. which has nothing to do with the starting problems i dont think.

when i try to start the engine will go chuh,chuh,chuh,chuh
take a lil break then go chuh,chuh,chuh, choooooom and finally starts after a few trys. when i touch the gas pedal to get the juices flowing it dies instantly. then i start it up again. i have to let it run a while an i mean press the gas 1 cenimeter to rev it. slowing letting juices flow.

after a minute im good to drive. pedal is a little laggy for a minute but things kick in once im going.

i have a feeling it is a fuel related problem.

maybe a sensor, fuel pump, or fuel filter??

i hate to hear my baby have a hard time starting.

any info or help would be appreciated.

thanks guys!

88 LE · 11-01-2003, 07:02 PM

Check the cold start timing switch.

It screws into the top of the thermostat housing where the lower radiator hose connects to the head.

I'll take a picture of it and post it up.

***Tercel GTS*** · 11-01-2003, 07:10 PM

Sounds like a bad battery to me from the description. Or possibly a draw on the charging system, I'd swap the battery first.

88 LE · 11-02-2003, 03:20 AM

Heres the pic of the cold start timing switch:

FRITO · 11-02-2003, 12:48 PM

thanks 88le

what do i need to check on it? or do i just get a new one? where can i get one? and what should i be expecting topay?

thanks!

FRITO · 11-02-2003, 01:12 PM

also i just looked for my water temp sensore and found it. its the gree plug sorda next to the starter. something tragic happend and the connector broke off and half of it is like cooroded and stuck in. the green peice is just dangling around.

im gonna have to replace that also.

88 LE · 11-03-2003, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by FRITO
thanks 88le

what do i need to check on it? or do i just get a new one? where can i get one? and what should i be expecting topay?

thanks!

Get a new one.

FRITO · 11-13-2003, 07:33 PM

ok thanks guys, i havnt been driving it lately. but i need to fix it now.

where is the cheapest place to get a cold starrt timing switch? i looked at mine and unplud it and replugged it in. it looks new. so idont know if that the pproblem.

also i have a feeling it could be a fuel filter or pump. there is a brand new pump on ebay here i dont know if this is the problem but i dont want to spend anymore money for mechanics. i think i can do this myself.

can anyone confirm if it would be the fuel pump or fuel filter?

car wont turn over after it sits a while(4 + hours) so i have a feeling somthing isnt getting primed or fuel isnt flowing through the system until i try and crank it a while.

help please!

thanks guys!

DIRTBIKEZ · 11-14-2003, 03:43 PM

Quote:

there is a brand new pump on ebay here

Dude thats a filter.

FRITO · 11-14-2003, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DIRTBIKEZ
Dude thats a filter.

damnit thats what i ment.....

can anyone offer any help?

phatboy555 · 11-14-2003, 04:44 PM

check up on the small stuff first...

try out the battery and see if it's still alright
check your oil and make sure you've got enough (and it's still good)...
check plugs, starter, distributor

it's easier to check the the little things before you drop money on fuel stuff, esp if it's not necessary

OEMonkey · 11-14-2003, 08:57 PM

Quote:

i had my mechanic find the code and it turned out to be the water temp sensor.

one of the many problems a defective ECT sensor would cause is hard starting. think about it, since you found that the connector was broken off, the computer is not getting any signal from that sensor. the ECT signals the computer when the engine needs cold enrichment, as it does during cold start or warm up. grounding the injectors longer, increasing pulse width for a richer mixture.

FRITO · 11-14-2003, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OEMonkey
one of the many problems a defective ECT sensor would cause is hard starting. think about it, since you found that the connector was broken off, the computer is not getting any signal from that sensor. the ECT signals the computer when the engine needs cold enrichment, as it does during cold start or warm up. grounding the injectors longer, increasing pulse width for a richer mixture.

so it likely could be my temp sensor? if it is where do i ge new one for cheap? i can replace that i think...

thanks!

OEMonkey · 11-15-2003, 11:10 AM

that depends. the ECTS is screwed on the engine.
from reading your other post, you said the connector to the ECTS broke off and the wire is damaged. try repairing or replacing that section of damaged wire/connector then plug the electrical connector back on the sensor. from what I've read, it seems the sensor itself might be fine, but its circuit has some physical damage.