Trouble Starting - 02 Echo

[Ox1de]

Hi my girlfriend owns a 2002 Toyota Echo Automatic 4 door that both of us share driving. The car has 145,xxx miles on it and runs great for the most part. What's been happening recently is the car has a very hard time starting and it is very random. I can go out there on a sunny day and it will crank over and start right up.

It can be hot/cold or driven and shut off and started back up and have the same issue. The only thing i've done so far was replaced the spark plugs. The car takes probably 15-20 seconds of cranking to start. Sometimes it does start right up but usually only after it's been sitting overnight. The issue seems to be getting worse does anyone have any suggestions ?

Thanks

[echo987]

is Check engine light on? Have you checked the air filter? if Check engine light is on it is probably your 02 sensors or Mass airflow? Did you have the same problem before changing the plugs?

[Ox1de]

Yes the check engine light is on.

I replaced the air filter

And it was happening before and after change of plugs.

I haven't found out why the check engine light is on ... i'd imagine I can go to advance auto or some other place and they can scan it ecu for free.

I did find out that by turning the key and letting it crank once or twice then shutting it off and turning it back on it will start right up fine no matter what but it does run a little sluggish for about 3 mins after that..

Thanks for the reply ! Any more suggestions would be helpful

[echo987]

Mine had about the same number of miles when it started having problems. It was the O2 sensors and the mass airflow sensor. Check the codes. I bought a code reader for $60. Most shops will charge you at least that just to look at the car. Some states allow the auto stores to loan a code reader, they are easy to use.

The auto stores in Calif. used to loan the code readers but they got sued for diagnosing cars. Now our options are buy a reader or take it to a shop. Stupid California

[denman]

I second the recommendation to get a code scanner esp since they can be used on other cars newer than 1996. OORRRR, ... if you wanna go nuts with the gadgets you can get the ScanGauge ($180 give or take) which plugs into the scanner port and reads the codes but also gives you the rest of the gauges on a display, eg tach, temp, mi/gal (now), mi/gal (average), and a half-dozen or so other parameters as you wish. Lots of fun and using will inevitably lead you to better fuel economy if you want that, ....