Previa "hot" starting problems

[PreviaGuy]

I have owned and loved my Previa Altrac since 1992 and it is probably the best vehicle I've ever owned. But it has lately developed a problem that stumps me and my mechanic. Sometimes, after the van has been driven a while, making several stops (post office, supermarket, soccer game, etc.), it will not start when the key is turned. All the accessories come on, but the starter will not engage. Then, if I wait 30 - 45 minutes, it starts up immediately. We've tested the battery and electrical system and they are fully charged and operating. The starter doesn't make any noises when this happens -- no telltale "click, click" sound. My mechanic on his own dime switched out some interrupt valve on the transmission that he felt might be given a false overheating signal, but that has not corrected the problem. I sense this is probably a simple fix -- maybe some 30 cent part, maybe not -- but neither of us can figure it out. Any genius out there with the answer?

[drunken_panda]

Does the outside temp matter? The starter rely will sometimes not work properly if it is hot, try swapping that out. Listen for the starter relay. Sometimes, if the starter is hot, it will not turn over. If this happens at the store, go inside buy a 7 lbs bag of ice and stick it on top of the starter for a while, remove it and try again. Or you could use the tire iron and gently tap the starter, while cranking. Another thing is the netural saftey switch. Try starting the netrual with your foot on the brake.

[Corona67]

I might be coming in a bit late, since you posted 2 wks. ago, but I suggest trying to replace the starter contacts ( I believe these are in the starter itself). I had an identical problem with my Previa years ago, and this was a permanent cure. Cost was about $200 at the dealer, as I remember.

C67

[shaffer]

Ok..I have encountered this...I have a 95 s/c..with about 85,000...
This began to happen....and we tried everything....literally..
Turn out...believe it or not..It was the fuel pump..hidden deep inside the fuel tank...I only resorted to this..because of previous problems with 2 old vanwagon models...same symptoms...fixed it everytime...when you first start the van....before it began to not start..you can hear that fuel pump working like crazy...a loud shudder thru the back end of the van..then it dies down....

[hoard]

I have a '93 Previa and it has been doing the same thing. Oddly enough, it started (no pun intended) when we had the starter replaced last year. It has been getting worse.