My Toyota won't start and 5 mechanics can't figure it out

[Go_Onger]

Hey, guys:

Check this out: My 2001 Toyota Corolla CS has always worked fine, except for those once a month hiccups when it wouldn't start. I would spend 5, 10, even 20 minutes cranking it until it started, and it wouldn't bother me, again, until the next month.

I hesitated taking it to a mechanic, due to it would start fine, whenever anyone would see it, and it needed not to start to see what was wrong with it.

Finally, last time it wouldn't start, I was stuck in a parking lot, cranking it for 40 minutes, if not more. A mechanic, who was passing by, told me it was the fuel pump. It wasn't the first time someone had mentioned it.

I gave the car a tune-up and bought a new fuel pump and replaced it, myself. Car would start, but at the second attempt. The day after the pump replacement, the car, again, wouldn't start. I had to crank it for 30 to 40 minutes until it started again. I went through this 3 times in one night. I was with the car out of town, so I had to get it working, so I could drive it back home.

Back home, a mechanic ran a computer check. Computer reported the oxygen sensor and the Fuel meter sensor to be bad, so we replaced them. Then, the "Engine" light, in the dashboard, disappeared, and the car would finally start...at the second attempt :/

Mechanic told me it will be like that for a few days. I should use high class gasoline and drive the car around and it would start as it should. That sounded like BS, but I gave him the benefit of the doubt. It's been 7 days, and the car still starts at the second start attempt. I've replaced the oil filter and engine oil, so we can dismiss those.

Mechanic tells me the pump I bought is faulty. I got the pump tested (by another mechanic), and it did showed to under-perform. I decided to replace it with the old pump. At least, the old pump would start the car, at the first attempt, (except for those once a month hiccups) while I exchange the bad pump I bought.

Well, the car continues to start at the second attempt, with the old pump.




The last mechanic, who saw it, suggested replacing the whole fuel pump module assembly (Already blew $300.00 in parts, plus labor, and the car still won't start as it should). I have gone through 4 to 5 mechanics with diverse hypothesis, but no cigar.

Does any of this sounds familiar to any of you? Be aware I don't know much about automobile mechanics besides tune-ups. Thanks, guys.

[Woodyg]

this is very screwy........
1-did any of these "mechanics" spray starter fluid into the TB on the occasions when it would not start?.........
2-when you replaced the fuel pump did you replace the whole assembly or just the pump?
3-did anyone change the fuel filter?
4-did anyone check the fuel pump relay?

*I would add some Techron to the tank as long as the fuel filter has been replaced?

[Go_Onger]

Hi, here are some answers:

1- Not sure with the process. We did tested the fuel line by removing it and starting the engine, to see if it was spraying fuel, as it should.
2-I replaced just the pump.
3-The fuel filter has not been changed. Only the Oil filter
4-I don't think the fuel pump relay has been checked.

A pic of my fuel pump module assembly. The relay if the connector next to the fuel line, right?:

[Woodyg]

You need to change the fuel filter and then add Techron to the gas tank

If you cycle the key a few times does the car start right up

Next time it does not start you need to check for Spark and fuel you can spray starter fluid into the TB and if it starts you have a fuel issue

The fuel pump relay should be in the power distribution box

[jb616]

My son's Paseo would run for a short time and quit. Other times it would run for as long as we needed it. We replaced the filter and pump and still had the problem. We ended up replacing the relay and it is solved. The fuel pump gets voltage when the starter is cranking but does not get voltage from the starting system when you let off the key, so the relay takes over and supplies the voltage to the pump after you let off the key. If the relay is not working it will stall within 30 seconds as the fuel pressure bleeds off...His relay was in the console under the radio...not sure where it is in other cars. Also it was called the "open circuit relay"

[Buurin]

In our Corolla this circuit opening relay is just above the flasher relay.


Small relay in this pic.

[Quick2000]

Are you getting any misfire codes?

[briankmizell]

Originally Posted by Buurin

In our Corolla this circuit opening relay is just above the flasher relay.


Small relay in this pic.

I have a 98 Corolla, I need to locate the FPR (fuel pump relay ) on it. Would it be in the same location as the one in the picture.

Is that pic of the drivers side kick panel area?