Hard to start

[sebastianroher]

My car is being a pain in the a$$. We just recently got it and when come to find out that the car is hard to start at times. It's intermittent. I just replaced the camshaft position sensor (it had oil spewing into the connector), that seemed help. We did some driving today and we had to try three times to get the car started. I don't know what to try. I know there is a TSB about the Yaris having bad rockers and valve springs and throwing multiple misfires on initial start, I hope this isn't the issue. If anyone has anything I should try, please let me know. I don't want to throw parts at this thing. Thank you!

[CTScott]

As we discussed with you car, it sounds like there may be a few different issues. For the hard starting issue, fuel system problems are often the culprit (plugged fuel filter or gummed injectors).

[sebastianroher]

How do I change the fuel filter? I was told it wasn't supposed to be changed as its in tank..

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by sebastianroher

How do I change the fuel filter? I was told it wasn't supposed to be changed as its in tank..

It is in the tank and to get to it you have to remove the bottom of the back seat to get to the access hole. Just because it is in the tank does not mean that it never needs to be replaced. If low quality or contaminated fuel was used in the car, the filter can get plugged pretty easily.

[bronsin]

Originally Posted by sebastianroher

How do I change the fuel filter? I was told it wasn't supposed to be changed as its in tank..

Its not an item that is changed to a schedule. It is serviced only when theres a problem. Unless there is a problem it will avail you of nothing to change it.

I have heard the FF isn't available separately. It only comes with a new fuel pump.

[sebastianroher]

Have you had this hard starting issue? I've seen it on here before but no one ever seems to be able to figure it out. I've put new plugs, camshaft pos sensor, oil change, marvel mystery oil, etc. I don't know what to try now. And I don't want to throw parts at it.

[CTScott]

The filter can be changed separate of the pump and is about $40. Toyota only sells it as part of the fuel suction assembly, but aftermarket ones are readily available.

The whole Toyota assembly is 77024-52180 and it is about $130. I believe that Toyota sells it that way to prevent people from having to separate the flexible hose that goes from the fuel filter to the top plate.

[sebastianroher]

Scott, have you changed the filter before? Is it a pain?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by sebastianroher

Scott, have you changed the filter before? Is it a pain?

I have never needed to change a filter, but I have taken apart the fuel system on a few occasions. Here's a DIY that I did on dropping the tank from below (to avoid making a mess inside the car):

www.yarisworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46986

This is what it looks like removed. The fuel filter is the round plastic canister in the center of the sender. The fuel pump sits up inside of it.

[sebastianroher]

Scott, my car won't start at ALL now!!! I really need help on diagnosing this!!!!

[Bluevitz-rs]

What's the state of charge of the battery? Have you left it on a charger for a while to make sure that's not causing the issues?

[sebastianroher]

It's not the battery. We just bought a duralast gold top battery about a week ago when we first got the car.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Have you check for any codes?

[sebastianroher]

Yeah it was throwing random multiple misfire when it was running yesterday. Today it will crank but not start. It throws ignition coil circuit malfunction PO351-PO354 so I was thinking maybe crank sensor? I just don't want to keep throwing parts at this thing.

[Bluevitz-rs]

Make sure the coil plugs are fully seated and on the correct coils.


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[Bluevitz-rs]

Those codes indicate there is a short or open circuit on coils 1 and 4. Swap 2 and 3 with 1 and 4 and see if the code follows.


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[sebastianroher]

You mean the wires are plugged into the correct coils? I don't think you can really mix them up because of the length of the wire. I'm thinking more along the lines of a sensor or something. The symptoms match crank sensor to the t. But I don't have a multimeter so I have to take the sensor to work to check it.

[Bluevitz-rs]

If there was a sensor problem, you would have an associated code. The computer won't give you ignition coil codes for a crank sensor problem.


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