Starting Car Twice
 

Hello.

I've had my 1999 ES300 for almost a year now and what I haven't been able to figure out just yet is one of the issues I'm having. SOMETIMES, not all the time, but sometimes when I start my car, it won't start until you try it a second time. I have had a tuneup, my mechanic/cousin noticed the starter was replaced and there's nothing wrong with the spark plugs. I've replaced the knock sensors, Variable Valve Timing Solenoid (2)*and two of the O2 sensors since having the car. So I'm not completely sure what the issue could be at this point.*

Hows the battery, have it load checked.
Battery terminals, any corrosion on them, are they cracked and make a bad contact, are you able to move them by hand?

Havent checked it in a couple weeks but it's been an issue for months and I've had the battery checked within that time and was told by more then one person that it's in good shape, BUT I do have intentions to change the battery with a yellow top.

If that's not the cause, what else do you think it might be? I have 4 check engine codes that i plan to address, but half of them have to do with evap.

When you said it doesn't start, does the starter crank? Or starter cranks but engine doesn't start?

The second. Sometimes it starts on the first try, sometimes it starts on the second. I never have to do it more then twice though. I've had two other people (mechanics) start my car and it happened with them, so i know its not the amount of force (or lack of) that I'm putting into it. When i was getting my remote starter put in, the guy who did it mentioned it as well but it wasn't bad enough to prevent him from installing it.

My question was "Did it crank...the starter".

Crank? I honestly don't know what you mean by that. I'm not that good with cars (yet).

Does your motor turn when you turn the key?
Or you hear nothing turning when you turn the key?

Ok, yea, I was mentioning that before. It starts, but doesn't fully run. So when i turn it to start, it should automatically run, but what it does is basically., as if you were about to start the car then halfway into you doing that you just switch it to "on" instead. When i try it a second time, it will always work if it hasn't worked the first try. Hopefully that made sense.

Not making sense.....

Maybe bad ignition switch. Intermittent.

Or a bad neutral switch. Or even a bad key. If you have another one, try another key

Also, try starting it in Neutral

At least those are quick and easy things you can try, with nothing to loose. No parts or labor required to try.