96 Taco 2.4 L Problem

[Barracuda]

My '96 with the 2.4 liter motor has a strange problem. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can't figure it out.

After it gets hot, and I cut it off, it doesn't want to start back up. It turns over, but it will not start. I have a new starter and battery.

I have noticed its worse at high altitude, which is a bummer because I drive Sonora Passs which is about 9,500 feet. Down in the valley it will start after a couple trys, but up there I have to just wait until it cools down.

The dealer actually suggested it might be the transmission! It will not allow the motor to start if its too hot. I was thinking a tranny cooler might help

 

[mountainpete]

Just some ideas:

Any other rough idling problems? I know there have been problems with throttle bodies that can cause engine stoppage, but it's usually that it dies while running and idles rough.

The 6 cyl had a TSB that was similar a while back that was sourced to a poor engine ground which caused "hard starts". Similar?

Pete

 

[obscurotron]

Check the basics first - fuel, air and spark.

Air is kind of a gimme (for now). Spark and fuel are where I would start. The '96 had a distributor, not DIS, right? (I know my 97 has DIS). Rotor and cap, wires and plugs should be checked. I'd check fuel pressure as well at the rail.

Looking at my FSM I don't see anything that says the PCM won't let the rig start if the transmission is "too hot".

My '96 with the 2.4 liter motor has a strange problem. I have taken it to the dealer, and they can't figure it out.

After it gets hot, and I cut it off, it doesn't want to start back up. It turns over, but it will not start. I have a new starter and battery.

I have noticed its worse at high altitude, which is a bummer because I drive Sonora Passs which is about 9,500 feet. Down in the valley it will start after a couple trys, but up there I have to just wait until it cools down.

The dealer actually suggested it might be the transmission! It will not allow the motor to start if its too hot. I was thinking a tranny cooler might help

 

[Barracuda]

Thanks for the replies!

This is really bothering me. I have had this truck since day one and spare no expense on it. 230,000 miles

It does idle a little rough, but never cuts out while running.

I have replaced the distributor, plugs and wires

Uhh, I forgot to mention I added dual exhaust and a K&N intake, so I do suspect it might have something to do with air..

I read somewhere that timing should be advanced with the K&N intake kit...

 

[obscurotron]

That K&N oiled filter is allowing a fine mixture of dirt and filter oil to embed on the heated elements of your MAF sensor.

Step 1: Remove the K&N intake and revert to stock.
Step 2: BURN the K&N stuff.
Step 3: Get some electronic parts cleaner and carefully clean the MAF
(remove it from the intake pipe to clean)
Step 4: Re-install the MAF and see if the problem persists. I doubt the
exhaust has anything to do with it.

Did you replace the *distributor* or did you replace the distributor cap and rotor? Big difference, to be sure. If cleaning the MAF won't do it, I'd get intimate with the fuel supply from the pump to the injectors. You may also want to check out the online FSM (linked from TTORA). I think they flowchart out typical troubleshooting steps for this problem. It may give you some other ideas of what to check.

Thanks for the replies!

This is really bothering me. I have had this truck since day one and spare no expense on it. 230,000 miles

It does idle a little rough, but never cuts out while running.

I have replaced the distributor, plugs and wires

Uhh, I forgot to mention I added dual exhaust and a K&N intake, so I do suspect it might have something to do with air..

I read somewhere that timing should be advanced with the K&N intake kit...

 

[taco chaser]

Could possibly be a cam or crank shaft sensor. Could also be your ignition module...

 

[Barracuda]

"Did you replace the *distributor* or did you replace the distributor cap and rotor? "

Good point! I don't think I have ever replaced the entire unit