Hot Start Issue and High Idle

Sorry for creating a new thread for this issue, yes, I have used the search feature on the forums haha.

Basically, I have a 97, 3.4l, automatic 4wd Tacoma. That refuses to start when the engine is brought up to operating temperature and then is shut off. If I try to start between like ten minutes to an hour after running it, it will turn over and try to start but will never catch and go all the way. This is extremely frustrating as it makes shutting it off when going into stores and such a no go. But when the engine is cold or if it is less than ten minutes it always starts right up. Weird, IDK.

I got a new IACV recently, that was OEM from Toyota because that was what I read in a lot of the forums as a possible solution. But that did nothing to help out the issue, so I was curious on where to go from here?

Also do not know if its related or even out of the norm but I feel like my idle is too high. It starts cold like 1750, at park with a warm engine its 1000. Park with a cold engine is like 1500. And runs at like 800. Is this all normal? Sorry newish 1st gen owner here so just curious. I think 800 is fairly normal according to the ol google searches but not sure about everything else.

Dang that was long haha... Thanks for any help!

 

IMO the 2 issues are not related
funny, a new thread might be same issue as yours posted by kaleo
he cleaned his IAC and now high idle and ce lite
im guessing here, but yours(new) and his(cleaned) are now functioning correctly and both yours/his MAF sensor is freaking out
his throwing CE lite/high idle.....yours just high idle
would clean MAF with that expensive specific MAF cleaner
also, (i just did mine) and thought lil high idle
i have been running for 20mins at a time in driveway everyday for week
the idle has come down and sounds like it should(no tach on mine)
(again guessing here) but ECM is re-learning parameters......as mine came down

as far as hot no start
UGH
2 weeks of rabbit holes searching for me
what i gathered.....3 most popular fixes are injectors/FP/coolant sensor to ECM(not cluster gauge)
i went with injectors
GL

 

Haha ya I think I was actually just looking at that thread you mentioned. Thank you for the response, definitely things worth taking a look at. Yes, injectors were what I was going to try next as well. Did you have any luck with them? If so any specific ones you went with?

Also I put in my old IACV as the new one did not seem to do anything (The high idle was an issue with both, sorry should've clarified), to return the new one I got as the Toyota ones are quite pricey. Can you think of any reason why it would be worth it to stick with the new one if it doesn't solve the issue?

Thanks for any help!

 

I solved my high idle tonight with a new thermostat. This was something I had never seen in any threads, and while my symptoms were a bit different it could be quickly checked just by taking a look at your coolant temps. I noticed there seems to be a linear relationship between the coolant temp and the idle, so if your idle is just a little high, the engine might be running just a little cooler than it should.
Also will be waiting to see how your hot-start issues get solved, my truck takes at least twice as many cranks to start after sitting ~10 minutes. That issue seems to be pretty common on these engines and from my understanding is usually not related to the idle. Anytime I've looked into it the first suggestion has been the injectors.

The IACV's do fail eventually, and Toyota seems to be slowly reducing part support for these trucks, so it might be worth keeping around. I was looking to get a new OEM throttle body while chasing my high idle, and you can't even get them for some sub-models and trim packages of Tacoma anymore.
Although personally I'm not sure I could bear to just let a $300 part sit on shelf in case it fails in the future when I could just return it, but I figured I'd share my thoughts.

 

Sweet, thanks for letting me know about the thermostat, I will be sure to look into that! Absolutely, I have seen injectors a lot as well and have decided to purchase a set of them from MotorWest as I saw their name come up as a good choice in several threads. They're a little on the spendy side ($330), but I figured it would be worth it getting some name brand ones so I really would know if the injectors were the issue haha.

Good point on the IAC, haha I get what you're saying. Might just have to keep it after all...

If the injectors fix up the issue, I will be sure to make another post on this thread. If anyone else has anything to add about this issue, or the injector installation I am all ears. Thanks!

 

Just in case anyone has this issue in the future... I went with the injectors from MotorWest Performance and so far, it has fixed both my issues! Fingers crossed hoping it stays that way, but it's been a week now and a couple of hundred miles and now she starts every time, and the rpms are much better as well.

With the injectors I bought the corresponding set of washers also on MotorWest performance, just to be on the safe side. They were only like $10. I did the repair myself and it took maybe 3.5 hours total. That was with me moving slowly and watching a YouTube video the whole time. Could definitely be done faster if you know cars better than I do haha. I would highly recommend RustBucketProductions YouTube video he did a great job explaining it. Also I found labeling stuff on paper towels as I pulled it off, a really easy way to remember what was what.

Now no matter how long the ol' Taco has been sitting she starts every time. Also, now my rpms are right around 750 when idling in drive, 1000 in park, and overall, just runs a lot smoother. Reach out with any questions, happy the injectors worked!

 

Awesome!!!!

let us know what transpires after tank of gas plz!