Engine Won't Start

Tiny
DUSTY1960
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 60,000 MILES
Would not start today
Observed the following yesterday:
- Strong crank at normal speed. Battery Charge - good
- 1/3rd tank gas - can't check fuel flow (how?)
- Can't check spark - coil over ignition
- Prior starts slow - would require more cranking than a normal car this age.
- Checked an found no OB2 CODE readout listed (----) when switched ON.
- No prior Service Light on
-Previous owner basically did bare minimum Maint from what I could tell.
-Removed air Filer was OK- medium build up - good light bulb shine though
-Pulled FR DRV side spark plug - OK: White insulator (original plug?) Some normal carbon on body
- Shot a squirt of starting fluid into front of car plastic intake (above radiator) - no difference
- Opened gas cap and listed while someone turned on - no noise heard.
- Someone got a jump start last Sunday - was fine all week


Today: Suspect fuel system / Fuel Pump. -No fuel making it to cylinders

- replaced 3 front plugs – back are nightmares - need more time
- yanked and cleaned MAF (ok) and throttle body - dirty but not stuck
- cranked and pulled plug - no gas smell
- removed filter housing, opened throttle butterfly and squirted 2 shots of starting fluid & reassembled
- Added 3 gal gas (gage works)
- Cranked and fired briefly then nothing

How do I determine the cause of suspected no fuel getting there?
Thanks in advance for any positive replies
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 AT 9:12 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
When you turn key to run -do you hear the fuel pump come On?

This guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start

Do a fuel pressure test with and w/o vacuum to the pressure regulator and report back your findings so that we can continue-

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Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 AT 9:19 PM
Tiny
HANDWERK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Our Sienna starts fine, but when we put it in gear it quits. Any ideas what the problem is and what I might expect to pay to have it fixed?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MELTILLIS
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I own a 2001 Toyota Sienna, it would not stay running when at Idle. Toyota put an line from the exhaust into the throttle body to help return and burn any excess fuel originally not burned the first time thru the system. On my vehicle I have taken the hose off of the throttle body down to where this exhaust line re-enters the throttle body (right at the butter fly valve in the throttle body). I cleaned the carbon that had built up around the butter fly valve (with carburetor spray cleaner) to remove the carbon. Reassembled the disassembled componets. My vehicle then idled properly. Other wise you must keep the vehicle above an idle to keep it running. When you had to stop or slow down and the idle dropped low enough the engine would die. After cleaning it has worked fine. I hope this help other Sienna owners. I done the repair myself, it took about an hour and about $2 for carb cleaner.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PTALABIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2002 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 91,500 MILES
A few days ago, the wife complained that the van's mileage is dropping. This morning, I tried to start the van and it would turn (tells me that there's battery power) but the engine won't catch. I opened the hood and see that the oil is at the minimum mark on the dip stick. I added a quart of oil and it is now between the min and max mark of the dip stick. I tried to start but the same result. I tried to start but this time, I pressed the accelerator pedal. The engine started but it would cut-off as soon as I release the accelerator pedal. What do you think is the problem?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHOUSEK
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I've had this exact same problem with my Sienna (2002 also). I can get my van to run by keeping my foot on the accelerator until the car warms up, (this seems to work faster if you can actually drive for 30 seconds or so). Check your idle control valve as I can also get the van to keep running (a bit shaky though) if I disconnect the tubing attached to the idle control valve. I'm not sure yet if replacing this valve will fix the problem as we just figured this out this past weekend.

I've had this problem intermittently for almost 2 years. Toyota keeps telling me it's my O2 sensor and has replaced it a few times. It's not! Good luck.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PTALABIS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
You're right. It is something with the Idle Air Control valve. I had my mechanic clean this out and it worked after that. Sienna's seem to have this problem a lot.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IRENE.JIANG
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 TOYOTA SIENNA
2000 Sienna, mileage 101,000. When the engine was turned off, it could not restarted sometimes in latest three weeks (irregularly, 4 times in together). At the same time, all the indicator lights are off working, the doors could not be locked. Seems no any power supply! However, after one or ten minutes, all the things seems backed and the engine can be restarted again.

Tested the battery, it is OK.

If anyone knows what's the problem? Thanks a lot.

Updated:
Today the engin stopped two times when running. Such problem never happened before.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHAMP67
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
We have the same problem. We replaced the battery 4 months ago, and this week the car stopped while running. Mechanics could find nothing wrong and said battery was dead and wouldn't take a charge. Replaced battery and now have a check engine light with code 1130 for air/fuel sensor. Did you ever get your problem fixed?
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IRENE.JIANG
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
At last, the machanic found it is the problem of alternator, but not the battery, which will charge the battery when running.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
IRENE.JIANG
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hope my information could give you a hint. Good luck.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOVETOSAMBA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA SIENNA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I got a crack in my radiator. Put on a sealant recommended by auto parts store, and put in antifreeze. Ran ok for 1 week. Then, on a cold morning, 29 degrees, drove car 3 miles. I had smoke coming from engine and it smelled on burning antifreeze. After the car cooled, I noticed the fill tank was empty, so I put in water. It was now about 45 degrees outside. I drove for about 1 1/2 miles, then noticed car was starting to overheat. Stopped and let car cool down. NO water had left the fill tank. I tried to drive car home about 2 miles when the car was cool. Car thermostat started to heat up again. Did not get to red mark, but the car engine suddenly died, and "check engine" light came on. Engine was hot because I had smoke coming off of engine again. I tried to restart the car, but it will not completely turn over. It cranks, but does not catch. Still won't start though totally cool now. No water left the fill tank, so I am assuming the engine overheated. QUESTION: Will just replacing the radiator solve the problem, or is the engine wrecked? I can buy a new radiator because I have someone who will install it for $25, but I cannot afford to take car to a mechanic this month if I also have to pay for a diagnosis. Money is very tight.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:34 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Never, ever just use straight water, the water can boil and stem and overheat your engine. This is most leaking what happened.
And never put that stop leak stuff in your radiator, it makes it worse. A simple repair of a radiator may of turned into an engine overhaul because you didn't want to fix something as critical as a coolant leak the proper way.

If somehow, the engine is fine, replace the rad, don't patch it up.
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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 2:34 PM (Merged)

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