Good night everyone,

Have so much fun to read here, now it's time again to ask you guys for help.

I have a 01 RX300 FWD with 105k. Recently, I noticed the car has little difficulty to start. I need to crank the engine a little longer than normal (a few seconds more i think) to get it started. And right before it gets started, I can hear some cranking noise from the starter (the noise you hear when you start the engine two times one after the other, if the 2nd start is immediately after the 1st one, the starter makes some noise.) Would you guys thick it is a spark plug, a/f sensor or other problem?

BTW, this problem seems to happen only when the engine is warm.

Thank you so much!

 

When any one describes the problem on the net, the only thing any one can do is make a best guess based on the information provided..

It seems your starter gear is not retracting after the engine catches (based on when you move the key from start -> run).

How is the rate of spin when you try to start? If the rate of spin is not fast as it used to be and you hear the starter not releasing .. then it seems the starter needs to be looked at.

Salim

 

Thanks Salim.

The spin of the starter is fine as it used to be. But if I release the start at the time when I used to do, the engine will not start. So basically I have to over-crank a little longer to get it started. I appears to happen when the engine is warm, and some people mentioned it could be the fuel pump/filter, but would like to get you guys opinion.

 

next suggestion would be to keep the gas pedal depressed a bit.. if this overcomes the stall (if present) then the culprit would be the IACV [do a search]. Again this is trouble shooting from remote, and I am moving away from the starter.

Salim

 

Thanks Salim. Will try it and clean the IACV also.

 

MAF sensor cleaning is another inexpensive cure for a slow start, at your mileage a new one might be in order.

 

He only has 105k, It doesn't have to be replaced. You can just clean it, with some MAF cleaner, or electronics cleaner.

 

Thank you all guys, will get the MAF cleaned first.