Trouble starting when Hot

[Madskillz98]

Ive had my 99 LC for 2 years and over that time it has occasionally not started after a drive. It turns over and starts but then chugs and dies. When I try the second time it cranks for awhile and may or may not start when I give up and let go of the key.

I've been driving from Seattle to Near Denver.

The first day I was on i90 going around 75mph and toward the end of my trip that day it was 95 degrees outside. It started to die as I slowed to an idle parking at a gas station and then wouldn't start the first couple times.
I got it to start by pressing gas petal all the way down and then letting it crank a few times before removing my foot. As I started driving it wanted to die and I had to not stop completely and the stop sign while getting on the interstate. Going fast is no problem, but I do feel like it doesn't quite have the power that it should.

Once we got to the hotel in Missoula I parked it and it didn't want to start. I went swimming with the kids. It must have been 1.5-2 hours. I came back out and it started like a champ. It was cooler by then outside and obviously the vehicular had cooled down. The temp gage doesn't go above 1/2 during any of this.

The next day I came out from the hotel and it started great. It was cooler this day maybe 80's and I decided to drive so I didn't go over 2400 RPM's but usually 2000-2200. It started all day. Same the next day(it might have struggled once) but it was a longer drive and more driving near 2400 RPM's we got to camp ground at night and it wasn't too hot out. Maybe 75. When we got to the office I left the car running. Then it died after I put it in reverse to drive to our site after we sat idling for 5-10 min. I was able to get it running and drive again the next day.

A week before the trip I had it into the dealer and they couldn't find a problem. I had some codes they said were not related. In Missoula we had a mechanic come by and run codes too. We got one for MAF sensor and immobilizer. I just realized my key must be the valet too because it won't open the glove box. I don't have another key.
Since Missoula the check engine light has not come back on, but it usually does after a day or two of being reset.

I'm still having a tough time starting it here and there around town in Greeley, Co. temp is in 80's.

I'm going to install a new fuel filter today when they get it in at autozone because it's cheap and might do the job.

I'm driving to Las Vegas this week and it's really hot there so I'm concerned.

Any thoughts?

 

[Madskillz98]

Oh and it has travelled only 137,000 miles so far.

 

[Skidoo]

When was the MAF cleaned last. Wiring all good under the hood, nothing chewed, connections tight.

 

[looking4lc]

Most likely, fuel pump.

Engine shutting off during long trips.

 

[Madskillz98]

When was the MAF cleaned last. Wiring all good under the hood, nothing chewed, connections tight.

The dealer checked all wiring and said it looked fine. Mechanic in Missoula looked at the MAF sensor and said it looked good. He blew into it a few times before puttin it back.

 

[Madskillz98]

Most likely, fuel pump.

Engine shutting off during long trips.

Also sometimes around town. Not sure but seems to be related or at least worse when outside heat >90.
I just drove to a couple place today. Less than 10 mins. Each drive and I had to try twice to start it a couple times and it seemed like it was going to die once but didn't when I switched it into reverse and let off the brake.

 

[looking4lc]

Also sometimes around town. Not sure but seems to be related or at least worse when outside heat >90.
I just drove to a couple place today. Less than 10 mins. Each drive and I had to try twice to start it a couple times and it seemed like it was going to die once but didn't when I switched it into reverse and let off the brake.

It doesn't have to be long trip as the " title" says. If you look me up in that thread, I even had short trip when it shuts off with over 110F degree. What I know is that when fuel pump gets hot, doesn't supply fuel and it shuts off and it can start up again soon. In my case was less than 5 mins sometimes.
I suggest you read the post I sent ( I know it's long) but quick scan and compare the symptoms to yours.

 

[Julian Stead]

It does sound like a fuel pump issue, possibly crank sensor. But the pump would get my attention first. Get it tested or just swap it, at 19 years old it wouldn't do any harm to change it with a filter.

 

[Madskillz98]

It doesn't have to be long trip as the " title" says. If you look me up in that thread, I even had short trip when it shuts off with over 110F degree. What I know is that when fuel pump gets hot, doesn't supply fuel and it shuts off and it can start up again soon. In my case was less than 5 mins sometimes.
I suggest you read the post I sent ( I know it's long) but quick scan and compare the symptoms to yours.

I'm new on here and didn't realize that was a link... doh. Anyway I read the whole thing. Very similar issues except mine hasn't died while driving. Except at a very slow idle. And mine is a 99. I already replaced the fuel filter today. I guess now I'm also looking for a fuel pump. I hope I can get one at an autozone or Orielly's or something.

 

[Madskillz98]

What pump did you put in?

My problem is that I'm in Greeley Co. for one more day and then Leaving the next day for Moab. I have to go over Vail pass and into a hot dessert. The pump pictured is the only one I could find available so far near my area.

 

[looking4lc]

i did get a denso but was cheaper than the price listed, however, i got GCC spec fuel pump and didnt fit so i had to take it apart and look for same exact one with same plug.

 

[Madskillz98]

The one I found online wasn't actually in the store. I called around and I can get a Delphi for $150 but it's only the pump. I can probably get the other parts there too. I can get the whole assembly import direct for $250 from a different store.
I don't know enough to tell if it's worth the price difference.

 

[BnvS]

FYI, here's a write up of replacing the fuel pump and fuel sender (which I think is the fuel gauge sensor). Doesn't look to bad to do over a weekday in around 4-5hr or so if you have the required tools.

DIY: Fuel Sender Replacement 2004

 

[flintknapper]

Fuel pump and new 'sock' (fuel pump filter) is all you need.

Here is how to install it: Thank You Toyota! ...Fuel Pump Replacement. (additional pics and instructions starting on page 3 of that thread).

Couple of hours at most.

 

[Madskillz98]

Fuel pump and new 'sock' (fuel pump filter) is all you need.

Here is how to install it: Thank You Toyota! ...Fuel Pump Replacement.

Couple of hours at most.

Thanks! I'll probably be in the autozone parking lot replacing it tonight. Wish me luck!

 

[BnvS]

Good luck buddy. If you got a kid (boy or girl) get them involved show them how to work with your hands. Beats having them buried into there phones/pads etc. And slowly they will have the confidence to work with there hands to fix stuff as well. Something I didn't do as much when I was a kid. I do more fixing now then ever.

 

[Madskillz98]

Good luck buddy. If you got a kid (boy or girl) get them involved show them how to work with your hands. Beats having them buried into there phones/pads etc. And slowly they will have the confidence to work with there hands to fix stuff as well. Something I didn't do as much when I was a kid. I do more fixing now then ever.

Great idea. My problem is that I have 6 that all want to help... too much of a good thing. Maybe I'll sneak one out with me.

 

[Madskillz98]

update. Due to thunder and lightning, I decided not to do the car work. The rest of our trip was busy and I kept on driving. Occasionally when the outside temp was hot and I'd recently driven the truck it would be hard to start. Then I went to the coast LA to San Fran and north. When the temp was 60's 70's no problem starting. When it was in the 90's it would struggle. Car still hot and outside temp hot equals a tough time starting and sometimes a fuel smell. Switching into reverse at these times after a long drive in the heat or tough restart and it sputters and might die.
Now I'm home and I'll replace the fuel pump, but I'm not certain that's the culprit.

 

[Madskillz98]

I replaced the fuel pump today.

I removed the seats and pulled back the carpet.

Access Panel to fuel pump.

• Madskillz98
• Sep 3, 2017

Then I removed the access panel.

Under the access panel

• Madskillz98
• Sep 3, 2017

I removed the clips and hoses.

I was worried about the electrical connection because it didn't look like it would connect to my replacement but it was different once I got inside to the pump.

Power connection

• Madskillz98
• Sep 3, 2017

The hardest part were the eight or so screws. They all didn't want to come out and I stripped a couple with my impact drill and then I realized they were hex bolts too and used a socket on my impact drill and they came right out.

A little gunk on the bag.

• Madskillz98
• Sep 3, 2017

It was pretty easy to replace the pump once the assembly came out and really easy to put everything back. I've never done this before and it wasn't bad. It took me 2-2.5 hours all told and the 8 screws were the hardest part.

Now I hope this does the trick. It's hot here and it struggled a little to start today in the heat after short drives. Now to see how it does tomorrow with the new pump.

 

[Madskillz98]

The new fuel pump didn't do it. It was just over 80 outside yesterday and I only took short drives under 10 mins and it had some starting issues again. I put some fuel system cleaner in hoping that might help. Next stop is a new fuel cap. Although, I probably won't have the problem again until summer when it heats back up here.