Intermittent Start Problems

[skperl]

OK guys got a tough one here. 1990 Pickup v-6 4x4. Occasionally the truck will not start up, other times it cranks up no problem, and I have replaced all the following parts:

Air filter
Fuel filter
Oil filter
PCV valve
Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Cold start time/temp relay
Cold start injector
Negative grounding wire

I have taken it to two repair shops one garage and one Toyota dealership. Neither of them has been able to isolate the problem. Both shops have put a gauge on the fuel system and say it is holding pressure; however the dealership said when it acted up on them there was no fuel at the cold start injector. The dealership said that the wiring harness looked in order and since then the truck has not acted up with them. Another issue that the truck is presenting is that while accelerating @3500rpm the engine will stall/stutter and drop down to @3300 rpm and then accelerate fine after that, it will pretty much do this being warm or cold. I suspect it might be a faulty fuel pump as they do but would rather exhaust all resources before I shell out more money.

[skperl]

OK, went to go pick my truck up today out of frustration. Called service department they said I was ready to go, the truck had not acted up on them again. Get to the dealership and guess what freakin truck will not start. Anyways after heated discussion the mechanic checks it out and now says there is no spark or fuel. Any advice?

[Egodd5150]

It's the contact in your solenoid. I, as well as many other Toyota truck owners, had the exact same problem. The good news: it's a VERY cheap fix if you're willing to get your hands greasy. You need a set of $7 contacts for your solenoid - DO NOT pay someone to replace your whole starter! Check out this site - it will step you through it - although your engine may be a little different (mine was) the starter and solenoid setup have not changed much over the years - plan to spend a few hours (or less if you're quick) working and you'll be good to go. Here's the fix: http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/ ....I also think you may have 2 separate problems - I had the starter problem and fixed it like that but I also experience that hesitation that you're talking about and I have yet to figure that one out - dump some fuel injector cleaner in there - can't hurt right?

[MenaceSQL]

Ditto what Egodd5150 said. My truck had this same exact starting problem and I pulled out the starter and replaced the contacts after finding out about that link that Egodd5150 posted. The problem never came back.

[skperl]

OK finally got my truck back and it is running. Problem appears to be that the previous owner had a rodent chewing through the efi wires under the fuse box as well as some other wires. OK now get this the first start in the morning the truck starts on the very first turn of the key with normal cranking time. But after driving the truck and parking for 2-4 hours like while at work and then going to lunch you have to crank the truck 2 or 3 times before it will start. You guys think it is still related to the fix? What is the easiest way to get to the starter, crawled under and was looking at it and it is crammed in there pretty good. Oh to be a small china man with small hands and contortionist.

[MenaceSQL]

If yours is the V6, the starter can be accessed through the front passenger side wheel well. Just take off that wheel, rubber wheel well flaps and the metal tin plate there and unbolt the starter. Note that there are two bolts holding the starter there and one bolt might have been inserted through one side of the mounts and the other bolt through the other side. If this is not the case when you take out your starter, you may have to bolt on the starter this way as doing it the way of the factory Toyota manual (both bolts on one side) is nearly impossible to do.

[skperl]

Thanks for the reply will look at it and yes it is V-6. Thanks again.

[rlmccook]

I have been having the same problem with my 1990 forerunner and my neighbor has 1991 now doing the same thing. I went to the site but can't find the solenoid contacts. Any suggestions? Thanks