Fuel injector

I have a 1996 Toyota Tacoma. I am the only owner. Since about 6 or 7 years ago, I started having problems with the fuel injector, causing long turnovers, eventually starting. This problem ONLY HAPPENS in the summer time when outdoor temp is upwards of 95°. I was living in San Antonio, now Tucson. Last year I was finally able to have the fuel injector replaced; 2 months ago, I had the starter replaced, last week I had the fuel pump replaced. TODAY, Aug 1, 2019 I was out doing my usual errands (stop/go) and AGAIN the problem arises. I was in 96° heat (not bad for Tucson) and I sat in the store parking lot for almost 10 minutes, trying to start the truck every couple of minutes. Each time it just turned over & turned over, no start. Finally I remembered an old tip from about 3 years ago; popped the hood and pulled out the "inlet air sensor" (the plug by the air filter)- the truck started right up!! What is the problem???

 

Do you mean the Mass Airflow sensor? You pulled that out and it started right up? I didn't think these trucks would run if the MAF sensor was pulled, weird

Do you have a check engine light on?

 

WAG. If you are having MAF issues, try cleaning it. Can of MAF cleaner is $6-7.

Do you throw any codes?

 

I am DEFINITELY NOT a mechanic. I just read the package that the old "inlet air sensor" came in. That's the name printed on the package. Check engine light did not come on. I know what you mean, though, because when I first did this "trick" 3 years ago, the check engine light was constantly on.

 

There is a “inlet air temperature” sensor on some vehicles. On a lot of vehicles they are part of the MAF. The MAF tells the vehicle how much air is coming in. The IAT tells the vehicle the density of the air. Sounds like you replaced the IAT. Test the IAT to find out is it still good. If its good, the next thing to check is the connection and wires going back to the computer.

Again are you throwing any codes?

 

Is your Taco a V6 or 4-cyl? Was this the part?

 

Sorry, I'm not a mechanic. So no clue what you mean by "throwing any codes".

 

Hello CS_AR. YES that is the part. My 1996 Toyota Tacoma is a 4 cylinder.

 

If you have a check engine light on, that means your truck is "throwing a code" and you can determine what the code is by using a code reader or having an auto parts store like AutoZone read it for you (they'll do it for free). Codes help you narrow down what your issue is, assuming the truck is throwing a code

 

Sometimes the check engine light doesn't need to be on and you can still have a "pending" code, meaning you'll likely have a check engine light on soon. An auto parts store can check for pending codes as well.

 

Thank you eon_blue for your patience and information. Will do.

 

Looks like a fairly inexpensive part. I can see how the ECU would become confused about the environment temperature if this part was malfunctioning. A malfunctioning part might tell the ECU it was cold outside when the temperature is actually hot. More fuel would be dumped on the engine causing a mild flooding condition if the ECU thinks the weather is cold and vice versa.

I once bought a car that was throwing a code for this sensor. It turned out that someone had left it unplugged when they serviced the car. I just cleaned the connection and it has worked fine ever since.

 

Yep. I call those "ghost codes". They hang around and wait to appear along with another code.

 

Yeah I hate those...you think everything is hunky dory then one day you decide "I'm gonna scan my ECU for codes just to be sure" and then one of those ghost bastards shows up

 

I have a 1996 Tacoma, for awhile now it starts up great 1st thing in the morning, if I'm in a hurry I have to leave it running to go in a store, etc, if I turn it off it has to sit for 1 hour (I look at the time I turn it off) I don't go very many places, doctors & grocery stores is about it, when it 1st started I could turn it off once...maybe twice but then it got to the point it's at now, it does the same thing you are said your is doing. My service engine light is on so I took it to Auto Zone, they ran a rest & it kicked out the MAS, which is over $200 at Auto Zone, the gu y that ran the test told me if it doesn't start to unhook the MAS & if it will start this the MAS is bad.

 

Is there a question?

 

Thanks for sharing Lisa. As it turns out, my mechanic says he's 99% sure (this time) that it's the trucks computer. We just spoke yesterday, Friday, Aug. 30, 2019. He's had my 1996 Toyota Tacoma truck for almost a week now (this time). Since summer 2018 he has replaced the fuel injector, (2019) fuel pump, starter and spark plugs and wires, distributor. None of this solved the problem. So you might want to tell your mechanic to check the trucks computer. It's the size of those old 8 track tapes. Don't know if you're old enough to know what those are Hopefully my Toy will be ready & problem COMPETELY SOLVED Tuesday or Wed. next week. Good luck.

 

Im aware that this is an old thread, I’m working on a similar problem, and was disappointed to find this is yet another dead end thread.
If Wormsy and Lisa is still out there, please follow up for those who are struggling!

 

You can click on their user names and see both are long gone.

 

Kapnd
Hot no start is common issue that I have encountered as well
I have searched and searched
No ‘exact’ part/fix
But just saw this old thread revival, haven’t seen this IAT sensor as the cause
I just pulled mine and will investigate how to bench test sensor

I’m no expert, but 80% of ‘hot no start’ condition threads I have read…..owners say FP and/or fuel injectors are the fix
I’m, as well as my race car friends, are having hard time with these solutions
-FP’s are linear, they work or they don’t
-Injectors kinda the same but threads say ‘leaking’
IMO this doesn’t make sense as well. leaking fuel would eventually either burn off or escape thru valves
My 1st Taco, so anything is possible

will see if this $15 iat sensor passes