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Hard start when I leave ignition on

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by monkeyodeath, Jan 3, 2020.

  1. Jan 3, 2020 at 9:31 PM
    #1
    monkeyodeath

    monkeyodeath [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm noticing a weird issue with my truck -- if I sit in it for a while with the ignition on but the engine off, it's difficult to start.

    When this happens I notice a gas smell, so I'm assuming that the engine is somehow getting flooded.

    I don't really notice this in normal hot start situations, only when the ignition has been on for a bit and engine has been off (like sitting for a while with the radio or fan on). It seems to get worse the longer the ignition has been on.

    At first I was thinking leaky injector...but then I realized that the fuel pump isn't on or priming when the ignition is on but the engine isn't running.

    Something electrical, maybe? Kind of stumped.
     
  2. Jan 4, 2020 at 1:03 AM
    #2
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Do you have any issues starting when the truck is shut off for the same amount of time.

    You might just notice this because your sitting in the truck .

    How long a time period are you talking about here??

    Also remember your fuel system is under pressure with the pump shut off so injectors can still leak .

    How many miles ??
     
  3. Jan 4, 2020 at 1:11 AM
    #3
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Reserected from the dead.
    You're right Craig. Those injectors are leaking.

    I guarantee if you sit in a very quiet spot inside the truck with the key on, you will hear the fuel pump cycle.

    You don't need to run out and replace those injectors, just stop leaving the key on.

    Once the pressure on the fuel rail goes to zero, there is no more leaking.

    Mine has been doing the exact same thing since I noticed at 30,000 miles. I'm at 150+ now.
     
  4. Jan 4, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #4
    Wsidr1

    Wsidr1 Well-Known Member

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    I am pretty sure my 95 with 2.7L has at least one leaky injector. If it sits for more than 5 minutes after running, it turns over 3-4 extra revolutions before it fires. Strong smell of fuel from the exhaust.

    Cold starts no problem. 3 revs and fires. 160,000. Runs fine and fuel consumption is combined average 17-19 mpg.
     
  5. Jan 4, 2020 at 7:29 AM
    #5
    vasinvictor

    vasinvictor Junkie

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    The 3.4 only turns the fuel pump on when you actually try to start the ignition. IGN2, I believe it's called. With it in run position it will not cycle the pump. If your injectors are leaking, they would leak out no matter if the key was on or not. Just something to think about. The previous generation with the 3.0s and 22r did turn the pump on when the key was on.
     
    Wyoming09 likes this.
  6. Jan 4, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #6
    monkeyodeath

    monkeyodeath [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Truck has 280k+ miles, so leaky injectors would not surprise me.

    I guess what's strange is that I have only noticed it if I sit in the car w/ the ignition on for 10-15 min.

    If I have the ignition off and restart the engine 15 minutes later, no hard start problems. It really only seems to happen when the ignition is left on for a while.

    One time, I went out to my truck which had been sitting for 2 hours or so, turned on the ignition (no engine), then sat there for like 15 minutes on a phone call. Sure enough, hard start.
     
  7. Jan 4, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #7
    monkeyodeath

    monkeyodeath [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Just to verify this, I went to a quiet spot, turned the ignition on, and put my ear against the gas tank. Nothing, unless it's the quietest fuel pump ever put on a car.
     
  8. Jan 4, 2020 at 4:46 PM
    #8
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    The truck absolutely pressurized the fuel system when you turn the key to the on position. The pump turns off once 54 psi is reached. Once 54 is reached and the engine is not running, the fuel pump turns off.

    The pump is on continuous when the motor is running.
     
  9. Jan 5, 2020 at 3:03 AM
    #9
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    The circuit opening relay is only pulled in when the engine cranks or The ECM sees all the signals telling it the engine is indeed running right out of the EWD for my 2000

    Was it changed back to the older system on newer engines where it pulls the Circuit Opening relay in with the ignition in the run position ??

    Has some one been doing some custom wiring because of problems and bypassed all the safety features on the fuel pump circuit??

    Circuit opening relay failed contacts jumped never replaced ?? Fused contacts on the Circuit opening would keep the fuel pump energized when the ignition is in the run position . *****Both these would energize the fuel pump when ignition is in run!!!!!!

    We are working on the 2003 correct all the engine options have the same fuel pump circuit.

    Did you have this truck from new??

    I really can`t see being a California truck anyone going backwards installing a 22re or the 3.0 anything is possible
     
    vasinvictor likes this.
  10. Oct 21, 2024 at 8:11 AM
    #10
    suttonkb

    suttonkb GO TIGERS!

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    did you ever figure this out? I had the same issue the other day. Left the ignition on to the turn on the hazards and it was a very hard start with a strong smell of fuel once it started.
     
  11. Oct 31, 2024 at 11:10 AM
    #11
    monkeyodeath

    monkeyodeath [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Stuff came up and I haven't had the time to look into it, but I think that the evap system is a likely culprit.

    For a while now I've had the issue where pressure builds up in the gas tank while I'm filling it and clicks the nozzle off even when the tank isn't full.

    I also had a hell of a time getting the evap monitor to reset last time I tried to pass smog.

    I think at a minimum I'm going to cut open the charcoal canister and replace the charcoal, also give the evap valve and system a test using the FSM. I'll update this thread with the results when I do it.
     

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