Real-time Help Needed: Mid-roadtrip starting issues

Foreigner · 05-17-08, 02:59 PM

Hey fellers

I have recently had a few instances where my 3vze has not been starting right. I live on a hill and am usually parked sideways, with the gas tank uphill. Twice now, it wouldn't start from that position. It cranks fine. Both times I've had less than a half-tank of gas, so I thought maybe it wasn't getting fuel. On a whim, I have rolled it down the hill and roll-started it, which has worked wonderfully.

I am now in the middle of a 1500 mile roadtrip from MO to MT. I just stopped in Podunkville, Iowa to fuel up, and it did it again--sitting flat, with a full tank of gas. I pushed it a bit and it would catch, but not enough to start up. The back is full of stuff and I'm pulling a 15' boat full of stuff, so I can't get much momentum.

I happened to have a can of ether along, so I gave it a shot and it fired right up. It has been running beautifully on the trip so far. . .no problems whatsoever.

Any ideas on what the problem might be?

WristPin · 05-17-08, 03:57 PM

sounds like it turns over fine. right?

you can unsnap the air filter box, reach your hand in there and open the flapper. and with the ignition on, it will turn on the fuel pump. perhaps the flap is sticking. verify proper operation of this.

the fuel filter could be clogged, too.

LeftCoast · 05-17-08, 03:59 PM

"I pushed it a bit and it would catch, but not enough to start up."

Is the engine still turning over right away, or are you getting clicks/nothing? Usually if you need to move the vehicle a few feet to "catch", it's a few teeth missing on the starter, but if you're turning over right away...? If you're not turning over all the time, try hitting the starter gently with a hammer or a wooden broom handle.

If not the starter, you may have a clogged fuel filter. Did you get lower than normal (closer to empty) recently, and maybe sucked up enough gunk to finish off the filter?

If not the filter, I'm afraid you may need to look at the fuel pump. There's a pretty simple diagnostic for the pump, by shorting out two pins on the diagnostic input (paper clip) and turning key to "on"...Wristpin or KLF helped me with that one, but then again that was for a 22re (but I think it's a similar diagnostic tool for the 3.0.

I've been through Podunkville while on a trip and had problems...I don't envy you, bro. Best of luck.

LeftCoast · 05-17-08, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WristPin

sounds like it turns over fine. right?

you can unsnap the air filter box, reach your hand in there and open the flapper. and with the ignition on, it will turn on the fuel pump. perhaps the flap is sticking. verify proper operation of this.

the fuel filter could be clogged, too.

Speak of the devil...

KLF · 05-17-08, 05:05 PM

Try the paperclip trick in the diagnostic connector, jumper across the Fp and B+ pins, this will force the fuel pump to turn on whenever the key is in the ON position. This works on any pre-OBDII Toyota, even the '93 Corolla that I just bought for my daughter.

2ndGenToyotaFan · 05-17-08, 07:09 PM

Vapor lock? It's hot here!

Foreigner · 05-17-08, 09:10 PM

Thanks guys. I'll definitely check the flapper, Wristy. Seems like a good place to start anyway.

It is cranking fine, no problems there. Leftcoast, what I meant by catching was that it would fire once, not that the starter was missing. My old '79 F150 had a missing tooth on the flywheel. . .not my problem anymore.

I thought about the fuel pump and filter. . .I guess I don't understand why starter fluid or a push start is any different than cranking in this case.

05-17-08, 02:59 PM	#1
Foreigner IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Missouri and Montana, USA Posts: 73	Real-time Help Needed: Mid-roadtrip starting issues Hey fellers I have recently had a few instances where my 3vze has not been starting right. I live on a hill and am usually parked sideways, with the gas tank uphill. Twice now, it wouldn't start from that position. It cranks fine. Both times I've had less than a half-tank of gas, so I thought maybe it wasn't getting fuel. On a whim, I have rolled it down the hill and roll-started it, which has worked wonderfully. I am now in the middle of a 1500 mile roadtrip from MO to MT. I just stopped in Podunkville, Iowa to fuel up, and it did it again--sitting flat, with a full tank of gas. I pushed it a bit and it would catch, but not enough to start up. The back is full of stuff and I'm pulling a 15' boat full of stuff, so I can't get much momentum. I happened to have a can of ether along, so I gave it a shot and it fired right up. It has been running beautifully on the trip so far. . .no problems whatsoever. Any ideas on what the problem might be? __________________ I come seeking knowledge. . . 1990 4Runner SR5, 3.0 V6, 5-speed manual, 31" no-names, and a lead foot KC7EUU

05-17-08, 05:05 PM	#5
KLF IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southern NH Posts: 1,631	Try the paperclip trick in the diagnostic connector, jumper across the Fp and B+ pins, this will force the fuel pump to turn on whenever the key is in the ON position. This works on any pre-OBDII Toyota, even the '93 Corolla that I just bought for my daughter. __________________ KB1OSF '87 Toyota xcab SR5 - SAS'd, stuff '98 Lexus ES300 '04 Toyota Highlander

05-17-08, 07:09 PM	#6
2ndGenToyotaFan No longer pre-approved... Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yreka, CA TLCA# 13872 Sign Up!!! You know you want to! Posts: 3,279	Vapor lock? It's hot here! __________________ Jerod The 79-95 Truck/4Runner FAQ 89 4Runner "The James Caird" 01 4Runner, for my Jefferson State Cruisers

05-17-08, 09:10 PM	#7
Foreigner IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Missouri and Montana, USA Posts: 73	Thanks guys. I'll definitely check the flapper, Wristy. Seems like a good place to start anyway. It is cranking fine, no problems there. Leftcoast, what I meant by catching was that it would fire once, not that the starter was missing. My old '79 F150 had a missing tooth on the flywheel. . .not my problem anymore. I thought about the fuel pump and filter. . .I guess I don't understand why starter fluid or a push start is any different than cranking in this case. __________________ I come seeking knowledge. . . 1990 4Runner SR5, 3.0 V6, 5-speed manual, 31" no-names, and a lead foot KC7EUU

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05-17-08, 03:59 PM	#3
LeftCoast IH8MUD Junior Join Date: May 2007 Location: I smell Mons Venus! Posts: 194	"I pushed it a bit and it would catch, but not enough to start up." Is the engine still turning over right away, or are you getting clicks/nothing? Usually if you need to move the vehicle a few feet to "catch", it's a few teeth missing on the starter, but if you're turning over right away...? If you're not turning over all the time, try hitting the starter gently with a hammer or a wooden broom handle. If not the starter, you may have a clogged fuel filter. Did you get lower than normal (closer to empty) recently, and maybe sucked up enough gunk to finish off the filter? If not the filter, I'm afraid you may need to look at the fuel pump. There's a pretty simple diagnostic for the pump, by shorting out two pins on the diagnostic input (paper clip) and turning key to "on"...Wristpin or KLF helped me with that one, but then again that was for a 22re (but I think it's a similar diagnostic tool for the 3.0. I've been through Podunkville while on a trip and had problems...I don't envy you, bro. Best of luck.