2001 Tacoma almost starts then gives up!

My 2001 Tacoma 2.7L started a while back not starting all the time. Once started it will start every time until it sets and cools down. That finally ended and now it will not start (it winter and no heat), it rolls over and tries very hard to start for the first 5 seconds then gives up and if you keep rolling it over it will kinda backfire through the pipes but, not real banging backfires, just puffs. Tried to use blow dryer on different parts and sections and can't get it hot enough to make a difference. Changed the air sensor and pulled some plugs and put them back on. It doesn't have a chip in the key? A good foreign car mechanic checked everything he could think of with no luck. Won't start in the morning when cold. Leave it in the sun for a few hours and it fires right up. Problem it's winter in MI and it can't get warn enough to know if it will still start when in the sun. Someone know how to fix this 4 cylinder W/O going to the high priced dealer?

 

Found this in Google, I’m sure you’ve thought through all of these already but just in case you hadn’t...

https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-start-a-car-in-cold-weather

 

Been there done that as they say. I'm a pretty good mechanic and this stumps everyone. It had problems starting after sitting over night when the temps were in the 80's. So not just the winter. Once it starts you can go all day stopping and starting.

 

That’s a tough one but it could only be a number of things? have you changed out anything yet? Spark plugs, wires, battery, starter?

 

Plugs, air sensor so far. Have no key issues as it has stock key w/o chip. Have cam, crankshaft sensors saved to desktop if I have to order them also checked EFI relay by switching it with the tail light relay, didn't change anything. The foreign vehicle mechanic ck'd the fuel pump, spark at the plugs and about everything he could think of and no luck. Worked on it for three days and charged me nothing because he couldn't fix it, good guy! What is strange is it sets out in the sun warms up who knows what and then it starts, once started it will start all day long just fine. You let it set over night, it cools done to a point where it won't start until it sets out in the sun and warms up enough to fire up again, is that strange or what? HA! There are no codes to go off from, except the air sensor showed a code problem, and don't what to get another computer brain unless that is what the problem really is. Check engine light has been on for 6 years now. Has new O2 sensors about a year ago. No cat converter in system anymore but, it ran fine when we first changed the exhaust system? Maybe I'll change out the fuel filter as it has never been done and I'm at 158,492 miles? I took the pressure reg off and it pumped gas when rolling the engine over! This is strange.

 

It is weird. We just got finished replacing a mechanical seal in a pump on our ship and it makes me think of the process of us heating up the metal to get it to expand for removal and then the new bronze ring that had to go in, we put it in the deep freezer so that it will slide in nice and easy. Something is able to make contact when she’s warm and allow her to run. You just have to find what that is???

 

Put a pic of my ride on my site. It is a beautiful ride for a 01'. Sounds like your fix went real well. Yeh, just got to find this pain in the butt whats wrong with the girl!

 

How do I get my avatar pic big like everyone else's?

 

It looks fine. Same size as mine.

 

Yes! I texted the Tacoma world people, they must have fixed it. I don't know but it's fine now.

 

Likin this size and luvin my ride.

 

Could a failed coolant temp sensor cause insuffecient fuel when cold outside?

 

I think there is an ECU Temp Sensor on the back of the head. Try heating that up and seeing if it helps.

 

Thanks so very much Actionjackson and se7enine for some things I can work with. I really hate to have it go to the dealership$$$$. Do you know exactly where the coolant temp sensor is? I can find the ECU Temp Sensor on the back of the head OK. I think it is a fuel issue, because it almost starts then fails to light up. Just like QMEDJoe said it fires up when warm out and don't when it cools down. What ever it is once it does start it will start and run fine all day until it sets overnight again. Thanks guys, keep on TRUCKIN!