Aloha from Hawaii!
I've got a 2003 Rav 4 Automatic with about 100k miles on it. Recently I went to start the car and didn't hold the key in start long enough to start the engine. Then every time I tried to start it it would crank over many times but not start. Now, if I wait 15 or 20 min. it will start right up. I don't get any check engine light and the shop didn't find any current or stored codes. They just decided we needed a new battery. Now I've got a new battery and the problem still seems to pop up on occasion. Any Idea what might be the cause?
Mahalo!
By original update:
(Edit):
These videos [from the Misfire FAQ page] were extremely helpful. I have gone through many of these test aside from checking for spark. I have fuel pressure and I can hear the pump running. But by the time I get to checking for spark, everything is fine. It's almost like something electrical needs to "reset" and it takes about 15 minutes to do so. I'm not sure what the problem is really. I was considering that the Crank positioning sensor might be going bad but I'm not really sure why waiting 15-20 min. would cause it to start working again.
Well, … it just a computer flooding the engine: … it injects fuel, but your action interrupts starting sequence to continue. And immediate next start attempt has to deal with excess fuel, … no start results!
No trouble, … there is a built in remedy for that: … just press a gas pedal fully to the floor, first, … than start cranking! Engine will crank to clear excess fuel, first, and start right after! Try it, …
F.S.
Sounds like a plan. I'll try it as soon as I'm home!
Mahalo!
Thanks InThrustWeTrust,
These videos were extremely helpful. I have gone through many of these test aside from checking for spark. I have fuel pressure and I can hear the pump running. But by the time I get to checking for spark, everything is fine. It's almost like something electrical needs to "reset" and it takes about 15 minutes to do so. I'm not sure what the problem is really. I was considering that the Crank positioning sensor might be going bad but I'm not really sure why waiting 15-20 min. would cause it to start working again.
Thanks!
"I have gone through many of these test aside from checking for spark. "
Next step: check for spark
It might also be the crankshaft positining sensor... why don't you have your mechanic check it out instead of throwing a bunch of parts at it? It could be a lot of things.
Codes could have been helpful, its unfortunate they aren't stored.
