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Engine & DrivetrainDiscussions about the engine and drivetrain of your vehicle.
This is a discussion thread titled "Cold Start Problems", within the Engine & Drivetrain forum, part of the Technical & Vehicle Assistance Forums category.
I'm having intermittent problems getting my '01 Sequoia (36k, plugs and injector service done at 30k) to start on the first try in cold (zero F) Michigan weather.
1 out of 5 cold starts, truck will crank and start, but it will miss terribly for 5-10 seconds and stall. Crank it again, truck starts INSTANTLY and runs just fine.
Whats up with this? I had a '99 Tacoma 3.4 that had cold start issues from brand-new.
Does this sound like ECU programming/Emissions BS/Coolant Temp Sensor calibration issues or should I clean the TB up and perhaps resolve the issue?
Both my 02 and my current 04 do something similiar, though not that frequently. Most often it happens when you run the truck for a short time (like moving from the driveway to the garage) and than start it the next day. I would imagine an access of fuel which failed to burn off before shutting it down.
You might look into running a one step hotter plug. I'm just guessing, but maybe the stock plugs are getting a little fouled in the cold weather. It's taking a couple of cycles to clean them off before they fire properly, hence the rough initial start and subsequent smooth operation.
__________________ 2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4X4
Speedway Blue Short Bed w/TRD Off Road Package, 2006 Tundra Wheels with 265/75R16 BFG AT KO's, Python 2-Way Remote Starter, Color Matched Hard Tonneau Cover
Both my 02 and my current 04 do something similiar, though not that frequently. Most often it happens when you run the truck for a short time (like moving from the driveway to the garage) and than start it the next day. I would imagine an access of fuel which failed to burn off before shutting it down.
Mine has also done this from day 1. It will smoke a little too when this happens. I was going to buy a white Tundra the day I got this one but when they cranked it up I saw the little puff of white smoke and thought there was something wrong with it. Needless to say it was probable for the same reason that this has happened to mine several times.
My '03 Sequoia does it as well as my '93 Corolla (and has been doing it for almost 190k). On cold start it runs very rich and quick shut down does leave extra fuel in there.
Strange thing, it's done it two mornings in a row now, both near Zero F outside...............both times previously the truck had been driven an hour before being shut down...............
This happened to me yesterday. I went up to Tahoe to go snowboarding and when I got done at the end of the day it wouldn't start right away. On my 3rd try I gave it a bit of gas and it sort of sputtered to life. I'm glad to see this isn't too big of a deal.
I was running 87 from Chevron when this happened to me.
__________________
"You play the hand you're dealt. I think the game's worthwhile." -C. S. Lewis
Thought---The truck has premium fuel in it right now, because my wife swears it has more power when we burn premium. Ok, whatever
Could it be something to do with the fuel type? Read somewhere that premium was harder to ignite in cold weather.......?
Thanks, Ben
I don't think I had ever had any issues with starting during cold weather. Of course it is probably alot colder in Minnesota than here. By any chance do you have to use a weird gas mix because of emmisions? Just a thought.
When the engine does start, does it come up to a normal high idle, or does it idle low and stumble?
If it does not come up to a high idle the first place I would look to is the engine coolant temp sensor. The ECU gets info from that sensor to set the high idle and cold start enrichment. Get a scan tool and hook it up before you start the engine and then see if the temp is the same as the ambient temp. If it is way off you probably need a new sensor. If it is reading correctly and reads correctly all through the warm up cycle and read proper operating them once fully warmed up, you will need to look somewhere else.
What you discribe sure sounds line a lean start condition. I know you said that you had an injector service done, but it may not of been done properly. Try running a can of BG44k through the tank and see if improves at all. That will clean the injectors and more importantly clean the build up of carbon from the back side of the intake valves. That carbon that builds up on the intake valves can act like a spong on a cold start and soak up the extra fuel that is needed to enrichen the mix on a cold start. You would be suprised how much of a difference that can make when it is really cold out.
Gadget, you are the man. In a previous life, I was BRMTaco on the Tacoma board, had a Supercharged 3.4 Tacoma, and you helped with with wiring schematics on my Apexi Super AFC
When it starts on the first time, it runs terrible, idles at about 400 rpm, missing and shaking. Upon restart, it goes immediately to high idle.
I will run a can of BG44 through and see if it helps.
This morning, I let the key sit at "ON" for about 5 seconds (to let the fuel pump pressurize the system) before I cranked it over, and it fired up fine. It was about 20 degrees, so a tad warmer than it has been.
If not, the CTS sounds like it may indeed be the culprit.
Wonder if it's worth the 2hr drive to the dealer to get it covered under warranty of if I should buy it and install myself. I am out of 3/36 warranty but under powertrain, so I'm not sure if it's covered.
If it is under warranty, please take it back to them and give them a shot at it. At least that will make an offical record of the problem whether or not they correct it.
They will likely want to keep it over night so they can duplicate the cold start problem, well at least I hope so.
I am pretty up on the V6s and not so much on the V8s, but most of the systems are the same. On the V6s trucks, turning the key on does not activate the pump prime cycle like on a lot of other vehicles. On these the ECU will not engage the pump until it sees an RPM signal coming in from the engine then it will engage the pump. So, the pump will never pump unless the engine is turning.
Do keep us posted on what thie really turns out to be if you get it sorted out.
Cold Start Problems
