Tacoma hard start after warmed up

I have a 1996 Tacoma 137,000 miles 5 spd. 4 cyl. I just bought the truck yesterday and I have discovered that after the truck warms up just a little it becomes real hard to start. I have to hold the key in start for a very long time engine spinning and then it starts to come alive very slowly and then it starts, and then it run's very good. I let it set over night and all day in the hot sun, and it started right up no problem what so ever. I then drove it about two blocks turned engine off and it did it again. I gave it a little starter fluid but that did not help at all, I think its not getting spark.
Can anyone help me out!!

Thanks

 

what all has been done lately?? sounds like one of two things for me...........either the iac valve needs cleaned/replaced...or the tb needs to be cleaned.

 

I had this problem on a 96 2.4l. I don't know the exact way it's explained, but it wasn't using all of the gas fumes in the throttle body when I shut the truck off. Then it would be partially "flooded" when I went to start it before the fumes escaped. Cleaning the throttle body/ intake manifold and changing the spark plugs fixed mine.

 

I have this same problem and already posted a thread about it. I tried cleaning the throttle body and giving it a tune up and nothing. I have heard it is probably the engine coolant temperature sensor. I am going to install a new sensor soon.

Here is the thread.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/92911-trouble-starting-hot-weather-2.html

 

What’s the best way to go about cleaning the TB, and what/where is the IAC valve?

I just bought the truck so not to sure about what’s been done to it. The seller told me they just put a fuel filter, air filter, and oil change. I called him back today and he did admit that this has been a problem for a few months now.
I think I'll go buy some tune up parts for it plugs, wires and cap. Is there anything else I should get at this point?

 

Be sure not to depress the accelerator when starting. The couple of times I spaced out and did "give it gas" it made the truck more difficult to start. This is when the engine was at operating temps already.
96 2.7

 

Thanks 98tacoma27 for the files and yes it's a 4 banger

 

NickJ Have you had a chance to try that temp. sensor yet, let me know how that goes

 

Put a meter on your coolant temp sensor. Check the readings cold and hot. No change=bad sensor. Same can be said for the intake air temp sensor.

 

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