Engine will crank but does not start

PETERCHOGUDO

MEMBER
2003 TOYOTA MATRIX
127,900 MILES

I own the car listed above which cranks in the morning but will not start. That is until a little fuel is poured through the air valve. When fuel is poured it starts with the first start. And then I do not face such problem till the morning again and need to do it all over again.

Monday, November 14th, 2011 AT 12:32 PM

3 Replies

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Have the fuel pump and fuel pressure tested.

Try turning the ignition key ON for 2 seconds and OFF. Repeat the process 3 times and try starting.

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Monday, November 14th, 2011 AT 2:05 PM

ROETY

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Mine does that too, was told the fuel pump is going bad. It doesn't prime like it should. But turning the key on twice usually primes it.

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Tuesday, May 26th, 2020 AT 8:51 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,796 POSTS

Good evening,

There is a check valve in the fuel pump that retains pressure when the key is off. What happens is that the check valve goes back and bleeds off all the pressure.

The 2 second prime is not enough to build the pressure back up so you have to prime it to get it to build enough pressure.

The repair is to replace the fuel pump itself.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-electric-fuel-pump

Roy

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