Trouble starting the engine?

Tiny
PERRYB
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 84,000 MILES
Hello,
The car starts fine in the morning or when the engine is cold, runs very smoothly. When I stop in somewhere for an hour or two, instead of starting after 2 or 3 revolutions of the starter, it takes 10 - 12 revolutions before it starts. It runs fine after it starts. There are no DTC codes showing when I check it with an OBD2 tester. Any suggestions on what to check?
Thanks
Perry
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Saturday, October 11th, 2008 AT 8:47 PM

23 Replies

Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge during this hard start period. Remove vacuum line from fuel pressure regulator and check for gas. There should be none. You should also change the fuel filter.

These guides can help us fix the problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-change-a-fuel-filter

If you still have a problem assuming everything checks out, you may have a weak coil, or ignition module.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2008 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
PERRYB
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the re


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/254673_DSCF0002_3.jpg

ply.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/254673_DSCF0001_2.jpg



Thank you for the response. For measuring the fuel pressure, the figure attached has a black plastic snap connector, which I assume is the fuel line connection. After I remove the plastic clamp, I tried to separate the line/hose by pulling, but did not want to break anything. Is there something else holding the line to the hose? Also, when I put the fuel pressure gage on, is it ok to put a hose over the formed aluminum bubl on the fuel line and just hold in place by hand while someone else turns it over, or is there too high of pressure to do so (about what pressure should I expect)?
You mention checking the vacuum line to the fuel regulator and seeing if there is gas in it. Does this need to be done when the engine is hot? The 2nd picture looking down on the fuel pump - is the hose you are talking about the one with the yellow clip in the picture? I was concerned about breakinhg the clip or the hose if trying to separate the hose from the plastic 90 degree part that is held in to the pump by the yellow clip.
Thanks
Perry
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Sunday, October 12th, 2008 AT 9:37 AM
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
You generally check fuel pressure at the fuel rail. Some Toyota's do not have a test port, rather, you use a special fitting that screws into the cold start valve fitting at the rail (after removing the CSV).

You check pressure at the rail because checking it at the pump is dangerous and will not tell you what the pressure is at the injector, since you may have an obstruction somewhere in the system between the pump and the rail.
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Monday, October 13th, 2008 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
MISSNIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA
1998 Toyota Corolla

My car has less than 89,000 miles. And that is the true milage. I'm now having trouble starting my car. It takes maybe two-five tries to get my car started. Two days ago, it starting after two tries, but it was still making the sound that a car makes when you start it up. I did a little research, and it seems as though it may be either the alternator or the fuel pump. About how much does this type of repair cost? For my "little 'ole" car?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Have charging system tested at most autoparts stores. They can also test the starter "draw".

Check all connections to battery, they should be clean and tight.

Have fuel pressure measured with a mechanical gauge.

Cost depends on who does it and what their hourly rate is.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KENNETH BLACK SR.
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 1.8L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 105,000 MILES
If it sits over night it is hard to crank in the morning. Once start no problem the rest of the day.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,544 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like the battery is getting weak. Here is a test to confirm the problem.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

And if the battery fails the test here is a guide to help you change the battery for a new one.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-car-battery

Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
1996 Toyota Corolla 1.8L- must crank a long time before it starts. Runs/idles smooth except for occasional stumble which will sometimes cause it to stall. Also, if throttle is cracked open suddenly it will stall (every time). Fuel pump/pressure ok, fuel filter replaced, timing verified correct, all 4 plugs firing. Intake manifold vacuum is 21" steady (takes a full 30 seconds or more to reach full vacuum) and oddly does not drop when throttle is opened- just sits there at 21". Any ideas? Thanks.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check and test the airflow meter/throttle position sensor-its odd for the vacuum not to drop a few inches during throttling
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Removed valve cover to reveal timing marks on cam gear & absolutely verify/eliminate timing problem and want to replace belt while I'm this far along (it's due anyway- 60k miles since last change). Belt & valve cover gasket not available (or time to install) till Wed evening. Throttle position sensor checks OK, will test airflow meter next. Will check compression as mphauto suggests after timing belt is done. Vacuum anomaly may be due to guage I'm using-will try different guage also after timing belt is done.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Vacuum annomaly ended up being the guage- vacuum not an issue.
Hard start/stumble/stall problem ended up being bad (intermittent) spark plug wires. Installed new OEM Toyota set (my advise- don't buy aftermarket plug wires!). Car starts right up runs like new under all conditions.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
  • 1996 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 140,000 MILES
1996 Toyota Corolla 1.8L- must crank a long time before it starts. Runs/idles smooth except for occasional stumble which will sometimes cause it to stall. Also, if throttle is cracked open suddenly it will stall (every time). Fuel pump/pressure ok, fuel filter replaced, timing verified correct, all 4 plugs firing. Replaced Dist Cap & rotor. Intake manifold vacuum is 21" steady (takes a full 30 seconds or more to reach full vacuum) and oddly does not drop when throttle is opened- just sits there at 21". Any ideas? Thanks.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Have you done a comp test and a scan? It is an EFI version I presume, not sure if you got the carby version there as well.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CALG
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Vacuum annomaly ended up being the guage- vacuum not an issue.
Hard start/stumble/stall problem ended up being bad (intermittent) spark plug wires. Installed new OEM Toyota set (my advise- don't buy aftermarket plug wires. Car starts right up runs like new under all conditions.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Thanks for the feed back, thank you for using 2carpros.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:09 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DRA1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
About a week ago, I noticed my car not starting right. I thought maybe it was my battery and I had it tested and it tested good. There was a fair amount of carbon on the connections so I cleaned them really good. It is still having trouble starting. Any thoughts on what it may be? Thanks.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
Check fuel pressure with a mechanical gauge, check for fuel in the FPR vacuum line, if present the FPR diaphram is ruptured and needs to be replaced.

Check spark on all cylinders.
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUGLAS 01
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA COROLLA
  • 339,000 MILES
I have a 1995 toyota corolla hard to start when cold miss fire and back fire and when rev up for 30 to 40sec it go away but it dose not do it all tim
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,938 POSTS
Carby or EFI?
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOUGLAS 01
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The car is EFI it is A 1995 auto
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Friday, October 16th, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)

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