Kcannaday

Wandering if anyone would know why it takes my 4runner such a long crank time to start, 2-3 seconds?

Thanks in advance for any suggetions!

FilthyRich

battery going bad.

Kcannaday

No, the battery is fine. It turns over just fine but takes longer than normal to start?

Jay

The Mass Air Flow Sensors are a common failure. Usually exhibiting a check engine light, as its first symptom.

I would suspect, a person that was very detailed could pick up on the performance differences as the sensor becomes out of range, but prior to turning on the check engine light.

I have noticed on a few occasions, on vehicles with troublesome "MAF" sensors, longer than usual crank times.

That is my first thought. I suggest waiting till the check engine light comes on prior to doing anything. I hate to guess and be wrong.

Perhaps you can clean the sensor and see if there is any improvment over a weeks time? (refer to past posts regarding cleaning the MAF sensor, and do so at your own risk.)

Edit: I have recieved many of these concerns by customers, but to find no resolution for it, specifically on the 3.4L 4runner/tacoma V6.

Kcannaday

I cleaned the MAF today, no change.

rimpainter.com

How many miles do you have?

Kcannaday

70,000mi

MTL_4runner

Mine sometimes takes a little longer to start than it used to as well.
Is the start time any faster if you put the key in the "on" position for 5-10 sec then start?

I had a feeling it was related to fuel pressure not holding in the rails (I haven't had time to put a guage on and check yet).

rimpainter.com

Have you changed the fuel filter yet? Probably not the "problem," but not a bad idea at 70K.

Has this been a gradual change or was it sudden?

rockota

Check for TSB's.. I know the 04 Taco has a TSB for a wiring harness problem that causes the truck to not start (or have extended cranking) from time to time. Happened to mine about 10 times in the last year, but I've been too lazy to take it in for the new harness.

KGnagey

I have the same problem on my '02 4Runner. 42K miles - I cleaned the MAF and even changed the plugs. No change in the cranking time. I thought I would try changing the fuel filter next.

About a year ago I went to start the engine on a cold AM, it was warm the day before. I got absolutely nothing just a click, everytime I turned the key. I had it towed to the dealer b/c I suspected the starter was bad and it was still under warranty. Dealer told me I had water in my fuel lines and charged me OTA. They added dry gas and I never had the problem again...until recently. I went to start her again and the engine "coughed" then just turned over but did not spark. I pulled the fuel pump relay and air filter, then turned it over for 5 seconds, replaced the fuel pump relay and she started, slowly at first but then it came to proper idle. I replaced the air filter and went on my day.

This is when I decided to change the plugs and clean the MAF. I have not had another problem, but it still takes a few seconds to turn over, same as it always did - except for when it was new.

Any solutions or suggestions are appreciated?

Kcannaday

I bought this 4runner about 3months ago and it has always taken longer than normal start. I've changed the plugs, fuel filter & run about three cans of sea foam through it! My 03 Taco fires right up (less than a second) everytime! I'm getting ready to change the timing belt and everything else associated with it to see if that does anything, it's making a low girgle noise at idle and acceleration that makes me think the belt or one of the pulleys is bad, maybe the timing is off? I'll check that tomorrow.

MTL_4runner

Just to preface what I said, mine only takes about 2-3 seconds to fire up.

Mickdady

There is a check valve in the fuel pump that prevents the fuel pressure from bleeding down when the car is turned off for long periods. These check valves can leak which requires the fuel pump to take a little longer to pressurize the lines.

It is very easy to test. Instead of getting in and turning on the engine, turn the key to "on" (not run) then off, then "on", then off...repeat a few times allow a couples seconds between turning off for the fuel pump to pressurize. after doing this a few times start as normal. If it fires right up, you have identified your problem.

Good luck.

Kcannaday

Sorry about that MTL, I turned the key on and waited for 15seconds to see if it was for lack of fuel pressure and that did'nt make any difference?

Kcannaday

Just curious, can you guys hear your fuel pump come on when you turn on your key.

rimpainter.com

I can't. All I can hear is big loud bbbbbmmmmmmm as the ABS "energizes."

Jay

I would have to do some investigation, but on the older vehicles with Vane Type Air Flow Meters the fuel pump wasnt designed to run until the engine was actually cranking. Contacts withing the air flow meter itself would complete the fuel pumps' circuit and turn it on when the air flow meter door opened. If I recall properly, this was designed to be a safetly feature. Suppose you were in an accident and the fuel line was ruptured. If the fuel pump was on with just the key in the "on" position this could pose as a safety hazard.

I feel inclined to suspect the fuel pump is still not designed to be on with just the key in the on position, on the newer toyotas as well. Given the new design of the air flow meter, I would have to guess and say they have designed a system to only operate the fuel pump when the engine rpm signal is obtained.

KING

I didn't read the entire thread just your initial post, but did you specify whether this issue only occured during cold starts, warm starts, or both?

Perhaps not equally proportional, but on my '94 3.0, when cold, takes an extra second to start. When engine warm, starts right up.

Friends have addressed this issue to me and why the engine cranks so much before it starts. Since then, I have compared to other Toyotas in general and have concluded that most act the same way, whether new or old.

Kcannaday

It takes the same amount of time when cold or hot.