Slow starts, fuel or battery?

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

All my previous cars started within a couple rotations of the engine (about 1 second), but my 3.4L prado consistantly takes much longer, perhaps 6 or more rotations (about 3 seconds). Is it normal for these engines to take so long?

Apparently the battery it passed a load test during my 150K service ~1 month ago. I just checked the voltage now; it was 12.26v, dropped to 12.18v with the reds on, and then dropped to ~10.5v whilst starting. Climbed over 14v on idle.

I've also noticed that the fuel pump doesn't run before starting the engine - is that right? All my past cars ran the fuel pump for a few seconds before starting (when switching from off to reds).

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Glen

I just replaced the battery on my 120 series last week. The crank we getting slower on cold mornings and ocassionally I lost the preset stations on the radio.

In your case though is the cranking still strong? I notice that my 95 series does take longer than the 120 series. If it is a fuel pressure issue as in not enough fuel is being primed I would turn it to reds a few times before firing her up.
Unfortunately you are saying you cant even here the pump prime? Sounds like the pump is not getting enough voltage until you crank or relay getting stuck until you provide enough voltage by cranking.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Yes, the cranking still sounds strong. When I changed the fuel filter recently, I took the opportunity to check and consider draining the fuel from the sub tank. In the process I found the pump definitely does not run on reds, only when cranking. So that day I had to crank a fair bit, without running the engine, and there was no decrease in crank speed.

That leaves me to wonder if it's normal for the fuel pump to not run on reds. That's the easiest question other v6 owners could answer for me!

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Glen
I will try this arvo for you when I get home. I cant see why any car would not prime the lines when on reds.
If my one does than you will have your answer to fix .

Keep you posted.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Thanks mate!

[minh Member Find all posts View Profile Close minh]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Glen I lost the bet! lol No priming. i made sure by getting the wifey to to turn to red 5 times. I couldnt hear a pump either.

Ok Just a note to add. Last year my brother in laws widebody camry would not start on cold mornings. Turn and turned. But when warm it would start right away from a cold start.
Turned out to be the distributor. Now Im not saying its the dizzy on yours but could be spark related. Maybe look at the coil or spark plugs first?

[VL400 Member Find all posts View Profile Close VL400]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Mine takes a little bit to start on cold mornings (maybe a couple of revs?), hot starts are almost instant and just have to touch the key. There is certainly a difference hot and cold but not overly concerned about it as it always starts. The Prado may be like other toyotas where the fuel pump runs when the starter motor engages and then keeps running if the engine fires.

Also, the 3.4 V6 has no dizzy. Its an odd setup using coil on plug on the drivers side bank with wasted spark leads to the passenger side bank. Its all electronic so must sync to the crank/cam signals before spark and fuel inj starts so it knows which cyl to fire - this can add to the cranking time a tad.

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Mine seems to take a few cranks when its cold. Its almost instant when warm. It still starts, and has always done it in the three months I've owned it, but I didnt want to think too much about it as I am just getting over the bill for the auto rebuild.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Thanks guys.
I've already replaced the sparks and leads. I haven't changed ignition coils yet (almost $500 a set!), so that could be a possibility.

Then again the slow starts might just be normal, given the cold weather, lack of priming and unusual ignition setup. I'll try to listen out for other v6 prado's starting up and compare...

[Sully Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Sully]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

Glen did you find out what the problem was with hard starting, mine does this sometimes but all I do is touch the throttle pedel and she starts, although it does smell a bit rich (petrol smell) when this happens.

[westy90 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close westy90]

Re: Slow starts, fuel or battery?

yeah 3 seconds is a bit long. Mine starts on gas or petrol within under 2 seconds. Also the fuel pump runs with ignition on.

Westy