My 99 ES3 is acting strangely. Runs perfect most of the time(85k), but there are times when the engine starts, revs to 1500rpm then just dies. Subsequent tries results in either continuous cranking or it will start again and dies instantly. I've noticed this more when I'm just moving the car around out of the driveway and parking to let my dad's car out.

During one of those times when the engine catches on, I can step on the gas and keep the engine running, but it's still die as soon as I let go. But after warming up the engine that way, it starts without problems. Any comments? answers? HELLPPPPP!!! My neighbors are looking at me trying to start my LEX!!!

 

I had that problem before I changed my starter on and off.

My engine would desil and continuously run the starter on rare occations. Happened a lot on cold cranks; first of the day. If you mean continuous cranking as in the solenoid freezes closed and runs the starter indeffinately key or not. You need to replace the starter/solenoid.

You can buy them for 120-180 depending on how much jack the local autoparks stores charge. Most give $40-50 back when you bring the used, worn out part back. Same part that's on the Camry motor.

Check my post on Solenoids suck from Friday.

It's about a 5 beer and 2 hour, or two beer one hour project. It took me all day, but I blew mine out, demagnatised from the heat and all. Stank so bad I couldn't work but for 5 min before it was time to sit down elsewhere and get some fresh air.

Apparantly Solenoids are the weak end for Toyota... '93 Corolla went throguh one, and I found out this is the second+ on this car, as the starter in it was not factory.

Just hit 86,000 miles on a '93. Woot still less than 8000 miles a year. <g>

 

gut feeling is telling me it may be the idle air control motor, manifold air temp sensor or coolant temp sensor.

When the motor dies or just before it does, is the check engine light on?
Your best bet is to leave it at the dealership overnight so that they can duplicate the cold first morning startup. They should have a scanner hooked up at the time to capture any codes that may be triggered and then lost when you get the motor going after it has warmed up.

sj

 

Steviej, ha, that was your 666th post!

No, I don't see the engine light come on before it stops. Even when I have my foot on the gas to keep the engine running there are no lights at all (until it dies of course). Which is a bit weird. I haven't had any problems the last 2 days though which means leaving the car at the dealership is probably not productive.

Well, I still don't know what to change, maybe I'll try the solenoids if this happens again...Thx guys.

 

if you start and stop it at high cold idle alot then you may have a build up of carbon and fuel varnish around the throttel body
get a cleaner for it and it may just do the trick as the throttle plate is closed and not letting enough air by it
also the controller vacum may be a bit off
as well check teh littel hose for vaume around the throttle body to see tehy are all intact
one more thing maybe if the driveway is on a slant teh gas maybe not reaching the fuel pump pick up properly at that angle

 

if you try the throttle body cleaining with TB cleaner it should be O2 sensor safe. If you use Carb cleaner, make sure the can states Safe for O2 sensors.

sj