95 taco hot start problems

1995 2.4L X-cab has problems with hot starts. No engine codes.

Sometimes, after I've been running it for a while, if I stop the truck and start it again, it won't start. It'll turn over, make a "fluttery" sort of noise, but won't catch.

I just have to wait a few minutes, then it's fine.

One complicating factor -- I have a Master Lock Starter Sentry on it. It works by replacing the starter relay with a wirelessly controlled one. I suppose it could be screwing with how much juice is getting to the starter, but it sounds to me like the starter isn't really the problem.

This doesn't happen very frequently, so it's a little difficult to test solutions (like the MFA sensor). I'm hoping this is a common issue with a definitive solution.

What do you guys think?

Thanks in advance!

 

Welcome the forum..I experienced the same thing with mine the other day when it was 94 degrees. I guess wires and all just get hot and don't want to work. I assune it is no differnet than us as people.. Are you windows tinted? Are you using a sun shade for the windshield?

 

thanks for responding!

last time it happened was at night -- after driving it for like an hour. it only happens when i shut it off and try to start it immediately. it doesn't seem to correlate with the super-hot days we've been having.

it reminds me of my dirt bike, which has a special valve for "hot start" -- which is when the engine has been running. so, on a 100-degree day, the first start is considered a "cold start" and you need to open the choke.

maybe it's evap or air flow related.

incidentally, my windows aren't tinted.

 

no sun shade either. i'm really lazy about that sort of stuff.

 

Let's see if we can work this thing out. When you mention the term " Fluttery", what do you mean ? Does the engine sound like it is turning over faster than usual ? Or does it sound like it want's to crank but doesn't seem to catch ?

If possible the next time this happens and it is safe to do this, when the engine fails to fire when hot, take off a spark plug wire from the spark plug. Insert a screwdriver into the plug wire to touch the secondary or main wire of the spark plug and hold the spark plug close to the engine and have someone turn over the motor. See if you have a spark jumping from the spark plug wire to the ground of the engine. If you get a spark, your problem is fuel related, if you get no spark, then the problem is in the ignition. It could be either the coil or the signal pickup. Also, you may want to look at the small wire that run to the coil and to the throttle body. You may have a wire breaking down.

In the early days. most Toyota problems with the starting when hot were related to the distributor. This may be what is happening.

How old is your tune up on your Taco. When were the spark plugs changed and were the wires checked. Have you changed the fuel filter and the PCV valve? If your tune up condition is bad, this will make your problem more probable. Good Luck.

 

Okay, so when I say *fluttery* I guess I mean it sounds like it sorta catches, but immediately sputters out. it goes from the high-pitched punchy noise of the starter turning to the lower, smoother noise of the engine almost catching but basically just sputtering out.

It does not sound like a faster starter noise. i know exactly what you're talking about, but it's not that. the starter noise is just replaced by the low, smooth sputtering engine noise.

sorry for using an ambiguous term before.

i'll try the spark plug wire test next time it happens.

i don't think i've done a tune up since i bought the truck like a year ago.

thanks for all the help!

 

Info the gas cap, put it back on, go along with your day

 

i'm sorry what do you mean? thanks!

 

Unscrew the gas cap, sorry auto correct on this damn phone kills me

 

oh, so it could be like an evap problem?

i'll try that, too. thanks!

 

That's what I had to do to my 99 honda in the summertime! Hope it helps