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goldenrule · Nov 11, 2008, 05:27 PM

My Toyota Highlander has an extended crank every day or two. I usually have to turn the key off and back on to get it to start. Sometimes it starts and then sputters out and dies immediately. Sometimes if I tap the gas while it's cranking, it will start. Is it normal for this to happen in one out of every ten start ups? The throttle plate has been cleaned and the key sensor has been replaced, and nothing has fixed the problem. I have an auto start, which works fine and doesn't seem to be related to the problem. Could this be a fuel check valve issue? Someone also recommended getting the whole fuel system cleaned as an injector might be leaking or a valve might be gunked up. The vehicle has 27000 miles on it and has had this problem since I bought it in 2006, but it's gotten worse over time. Any suggestions would be appreciated. The dealership said it only happened 3 or 4 times while they had the vehicle and they consider that normal. Nobody I know has a car that does this so often.

Thanks.

kitch428 · Nov 12, 2008, 04:56 PM

I've seen IAC's go bad on the 4 cyl models to cause this.
4 or v6?

CaptainRich · Nov 13, 2008, 07:49 PM

Originally Posted by goldenrule

...and has had this problem since I bought it in 2006...

I wish you would check residual fuel pressure once the key is turned off.
That could very well tell you if the problem is fuel pressure retention or something else.

kitch428 · Nov 14, 2008, 05:47 PM

I guess we lost this one. One of those "one hit wonders".

goldenrule · Nov 14, 2008, 06:06 PM

Hi, thanks for responding. I have been trying to log on for a couple days and was having computer problems. It's a V6 and is not throwing any diagnostic codes and I just saw the note about the fuel pressure, so I will check that out.

kitch428 · Nov 14, 2008, 07:22 PM

See the problem is that if you had a real gummed up throttle body, and then had it cleaned, then all the trash goes right down into the intake hole for the IAC. That should have been blasted out of there with compressed air.
On a cold am start, that crap is causing it to stick and then sometimes it doesn't. This is why it could be so erratic.

As far as your computer since it was recently updated like mine, do what I did, uninstall your Norton and chuck it out the window.

goldenrule · Nov 15, 2008, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the info, I am taking it to another shop on Monday. The main problem with my dealership is that they are saying that the extended crank is normal "every once in a while", and though they have duplicated about once in every 10 starts, they don't view it as a problem, therefore I can't get them to do anything to resolve it. Once in every 10 starts translates to every day or two for me, and I don't consider it normal. If the problem is the IAC, would it make sense that when I use my auto start, it works fine?

I really appreciate your insight on this. I like my Highlander, but this problem is stressing me out.

Thanks again.