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2008 Toyota Sienna starting issues

24 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2011 at 4:59 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota Sienna, Van

Messages Page 3 of 3

#16 of 24 Re: 2008 Toyota Sienna starting issues [1978transam] by rclnc

Oct 15, 2011 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: 1978transam (Oct 14, 2011 3:14 pm)
No, the problem has not be resolved.
 
I do not believe it's a fuel evaporation issue because it will start just fine -after it has been turned off and restarted within 1-20 minutes.
 
The long start issue occurred sporatically at first, but it now does it several times a day every day. Problem occurs regardless if it just idles or has been driven.
The problem is when I start the engine. I crank it and it turns over in excess of 5 - 6 times, Putters & Sputters a second or two, then smoothes out and runs just fine.
 
With the way it starts and sputters - I'm almost tempted to press the gas pedal just a bit - to get it going, but I refrain. Yes, its a used car (I bought it new), but this is not normal for fuel injection - plus its still under warranty.
 
I clean the throttle body about every 15,000 miles. I actually just cleaned the TB a few days ago, when I just changed out all six spark plugs myself. (Yes, they are supposed to be 100,000 mile spark plugs, but it does not hurt & I did not mind).
I understand the fix "may be" pulling out and changing the fuel injectors. I hated to do all that spark plug work because I was staring at the fuel injectors and contemplated changing them out. The only reason I did not was because the car is still under warranty and the fuel injectors are Expensive!
BTW - all that recent work - and still the same starting issue.

#17 of 24 Re: 2008 Toyota Sienna starting issues [rclnc] by unhappycampe

Oct 18, 2011 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: rclnc (Oct 15, 2011 12:46 pm)
It took many visits to get my issue resolved with the starting issues, cranking over numerous times before starting, it ended up being the fuel injectors, since they have been changed out no issues. The way it was explained to me, there is a ball type check valve in each injector and these were not closing off, this allowed the fuel to drain off. During cold starts the engine would be calling for maximum fuel therefore the problem was not as noticeable, once it warmed up it took longer for the fuel to be pumped back to the injectors, the check valve when working correctly would hold a small amount of fuel in the injector and vehicle start would be immediate. We had to contact Toyota Canada to finally get resolution to this issue, so my advice to anyone having this type of issue is to get the injectors changed before warranty runs out. Good luck,

#18 of 24 Re: 2008 Toyota Sienna starting issues [unhappycampe] by rclnc

Oct 25, 2011 (9:22 am)

Replying to: unhappycampe (Oct 18, 2011 7:24 pm)
Thank you very much for the info. This makes a lot more sense. I'm glad you followed up on your dilemma. That's crazy that your van started doing this with only 4,000 miles!
 
Any chance I can get you to note the Name of the Toyota Dealership that ultimately fixed your problem?
 
I'm dealing with the Toyota Dealership Don McGill in Houston, Texas. The service manager keeps trying to tell me its bad gas because it won't throw a code, but I know better. I'm hoping they can reference your dealership for the fix, so I can resolve this issue once and for all.

#19 of 24 98 sienna power window intermittently fails, XLE by siennafan98

Nov 06, 2011 (12:33 am)

Sometimes the power window won't go up until I shut off all other electrical drains (fan, cell phone charger, gps...) and drive around, and then it will go up bit by bit. I wonder if it is related to the power stored for raising the window in the first minute after the car is shut off? Very scarey when I'm on my way into a car wash!

#20 of 24 power window fails on 98 sienna by siennafan98

Nov 06, 2011 (1:11 am)

Another forum refers states a faulty load sensor in the power window motor is the problem causing the window not to raise until you drive around for a while. But, Toyota doesn't sell the load sensor unless you buy the window motor, too, so repair is about $500. Does this make sense to others? To me it seems like the motor just isn't getting enough power, so driving recharges the stored power. Why would driving around make the sensor malfunction stop?

#21 of 24 Re: power window fails on 98 sienna [siennafan98] by fibber2

Nov 08, 2011 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: siennafan98 (Nov 06, 2011 1:11 am)
A load sensor problem makes sense. This is the device that stops the auto-up window from slicing off your hand if it gets in the way. It works by monitoring the current draw by the motor (when working harder the motor pulls more current), and throttling it back if it senses trouble.
 
At idle, your alternator puts out limited current. If other accessories are running, system voltage drops. This aggravates a sensor issue as voltage and current are related (power in watts = volts x amps). Shutting off accessories or driving around (engine RPM is above idle) has the effect of raising the voltage, and thus the power available.
 
A second possibility (remote) is that there is a window track problem that is triggering the limit sensor due to high friction. When the van is in motion, vibrations and bumps may work to help the window move in the track. And when the accessories are off & driving, the higher power available (see above) helps to push it along.
 
Make sense?

#22 of 24 Re: 2008 Toyota Sienna starting issues [rclnc] by loganconnor22

Nov 26, 2011 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: rclnc (Oct 25, 2011 9:22 am)
Hi. Did you ever get the name of the dealer that had the resolution to this problem? My wife's car started this today and I want to resolve this under warranty ASAP. Thanks!

#23 of 24 Fuel Injection Issue Resolved by rclnc

Nov 28, 2011 (7:11 am)

My starting issue was finally resolved, but by far it was not an easy task. The dealership finally replaced my fuel injectors and I have not had any more starting issues since.
 
As you can see from the previous posts, your more than likely going to have to make a many trips to the dealership.
  
I had all my work done at Don McGill Toyota in Houston, Texas. I don't believe your going to find a Toyota dealership that is going to willing want to do the work. The service sheet for parts and labor totaled over $1,400.00, but fortunately for me the warranty covered it.
 
The service manager was very very hesitant, but one day to the next he suddenly said he was going to do it. He mentioned that a Toyota specialist was in town to look at another vehicle, he says he remembered my Sienna and happened to ask him if he'd ever heard issues with the fuel injectors. The specialist noted that there was a bad batch of fuel injectors that got out and this was apparently the only reason he did the work.
 
I would highly recommend you have the dealership do an in line fuel injection service. This is about a $200.00 service, but it can weed out a lot of problems. I did not have all the other things replaced like a few of the other guys. The main problem to me is apparent because all I had done was the replacement of the fuel injectors. If you just now began to have starting/cranking issues, my only recommendation is that you start taking it to the dealership to leave a paper trail. This was an expensive headache for me because even taking it to the dealership costs me time and money.
 
One of the biggest factors is that my Sienna never threw a code - And if its not throwing a code the dealership will keep trying to convince you that there's nothing wrong with it.
 
Good Luck

#24 of 24 Re: power window fails on 98 sienna [fibber2] by siennafan98

Dec 03, 2011 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: fibber2 (Nov 08, 2011 12:12 pm)
Yes, that makes sense. Thanks!

Messages Page 3 of 3

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