Does sitting in direct sunlight for hours affect (effect) ignition?

I had this problem with my Honda...but I've never heard of it with Toyotas!?. I had no problems starting this winter, but now that the sun's come out, I may have to let the truck turn for 4 or 5 seconds before it catches (doesn't sound like a long time, but time it out yourself...a little too long for normal, eh?).

Anyway, with my Honda it was a common occurrence and was easily diagnosed and cured. With my tacoma though, it's a little tougher...I was planning on digging into the throttle body and cleaning the same this weekend, and thinking about the distributor cap, wires, and rotor, but thought I'd check with you guys first. I have new platinum plugs and all belts have been replaced (4k miles ago) and, otherwise, I've had no problems. Truck has 68k miles on it.

Note: I don't know if 4 to 5 hours in direct sunlight has anything to do with the problem...but the weather's all that's changed in the past few weeks (i.e., the problem began occurring 2-3 weeks ago; doesn't occur every ignition attempt, just sometimes). However, the truck can sit in my garage for over a day, and will start w/o incident thereafter (but I don't have a garage at the office, and I don't want to get stranded).

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

 

there was a tsb for a problem that occured with some of the 05 and up tacomas, which was an extended start tsb. basically,they reflash the ecu. take it to the dealer and tell them its cranking for too long without starting and they should take care of it. mine did this for a while, and since they reflashed it, its been cranking just fine.

 

Forgot to mention that I drive an 03 w/the V6.

 

oh..............well, that makes a difference!! how old is your battery?? if its the original,by chance, it may be time for a new one. or it could be time for rotor cap/button, and maybe plug wires depending on mileage.

 

The more I think about it, the more I think I'll replace the wires, cap, and rotor, and give the throttle body a good once over. The battery feels strong, but I should (i.e., will) have it tested.

Ahh, maintenance. What else would I do on the weekends? (besides beating my wife and kids) That was a joke...I don't have a wife or kids to beat.

Thanks, bud.

 

let me know how it turns out. by the way.......try some seafowm deep creep on the throttle body.....thats some good stuff there. you do all that.......you'll be running like new!!

 

oops....i thought the 03's had cap and rotor!! ok, maybe just change plugs then, and definitely run seafoam thru it(you can run it thru the brake booster line.....it'll smoke like hell, but it'll clean like crazy!!), and clean throttle body with the deep creep.

 

Coil packs on each cylinder...wtf is that? Don't answer, I'll find it, and educate myself accordingly.

Thanks fellas...I'll keep you posted.

 

Battery's good. Ran some seafoam through the tank, but issue persists (occurred once today). I'll dig into the throttle body this weekend (got deep creep as advised). Also, called local Toyota dealership service dept...they thought battery might be the problem also. Toyota also said that reflashing wouldn't do anything for me, but I could try it anyway if I wanted.

Hmm...

 

i think i'd have it reflashed if it isnt gonna cost you too much to do so. may help your problem. also......may want to keep an eye on one of the coil packs, may be breaking down and causing your problem. not sure.....just trying to eliminate certain things.

 

What brand fuel filter are you running? Could be a vapor issue. Maybe the vent on your gas cap is closed up from dirt etc. If it happens only after sitting in the sun/heat, its more than likely a fuel issue. Does it crank easy? Or is it slow?

 

Banshee knows more than I do! See below:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/1st-gen-tacomas/1107-intermittent-extended-hard-cranking-fyi.html

 

Thanks, glassdoc! It cranks quickly (normal), but it doesn't catch (ignite). I'm going to try the new harness as indicated by the service bulletin. If that doesn't work, I'll move on to the fuel filter and throttle body. In any case, thanks much for your input!

 

The wiring harness costs in excess of $300...I'll live with the hard cranking and I'll wait until it won't start. Even the Toyota rep. was surprised at the price.

 

Called Toyota's national customer relations department ("NCRD"). NCRD representative stated that because my vehicle was out of warranty, the wiring harness would not be provided at a discounted price. I asked whether I understood the technical service bulletin (#EG042-04) correctly inasmuch as it indicated that Toyota acknowledged a defective design or manufacture, and acknowledged that such defective design or manufacture caused the issue/damages that I was complaining about. The NCRD rep. confirmed my understanding, and stated that I could speak with the corporate representative of the local dealership to try and work something out.

Local dealership service department refused coverage as the truck is out of warranty.

Time to put on my lawyer pants and send out a few demand letters...or not...I'll see.