My 2001 3.4L seems to be taking a longer and longer time cranking before it starts. Once it catches, it runs flawlessly and gets decent mileage. When new (and until a few months ago) it rarely cranked past 2 or 3 pistons before starting. In the past several months, it occasionally catches quickly, but usually cranks past 6, 8 or even more pistons before starting. It even takes a long time if I try to start it immediately after shutting it off - even when it's fully warmed up. It's never failed to start, but something has changed and it's bugging the s--t out of me.

Background and stuff I've done so far:

2001 Double Cab TRD 4x4 (California emmissions) w/~76K miles
TRD S/C (installed at 1200 miles)
TRD Cat-back Exhaust (installed at ~40K miles)
TRD 7th Injector (installed at ~43K miles)
TRD Headers (installed at ~55K miles -- delayed a year while I took an all expenses paid vacation to Baghdad!)

In the last month:

New NGK plugs (minimum compression 190psi/max 205)
New NGK plug wires
New Toyota Fuel Filter
New Toyota Air Filter
Cleaned MAF sensor
Frequent (~monthly or so) use of Seafoam thru PVC hose

Have cleaned connections on all EFI sensors (MAF, Igniter, AFR sensor, O2 sensor, MAP, etc.)

Volt meter stays well above 12v even when cranking.

No codes or problems with OBD II monitor tests (although about six times in the last 4 years the truck has died -- always while idling hot -- and thrown a P1300 igniter circuit code. It always started again immediately and run fine.)

Cracking the throttle while cranking has had no effect, but I plan to take a crack at cleaning the throttle body anyway.

Have a fuel pressure gauge ordered, but no idea about fuel pressure during cranking yet (although I've thought about jumping the fuel pump to 12v before I crank it to see if that makes a difference - maybe the STA signal isn't working as designed?).

Filling up at/with a variety of different stations/brands hasn't helped.

I've got a basic code reader, but not a full-up scan tool (yet), so can't get at any other real-time parameters during cranking.

Anybody had a similar experience or have any other ideas on what I might need to check?

There is always ton of great info on this board, so I'm counting on you guys/gals!

Hope everyone out there has a great (and safe) Memorial Day weekend next week! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

You haven't mentioned that you checked the starter. Have you done that yet? You may not need to have to buy a completely new starter, but rather just replacing the starter contacts.

http://4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml#Introduction

Thanks for the reply. The starter cranks like new -- first time every time. The engine just has to turn over 3-4 times as long while cranking as it used to before it catches and runs.

Found the following after my original post and am now thinking I may have a similar fuel pressure leak down problem.

http://www.4x4wire.com/forums/showf...p;amp;sb=5&o=365&fpart=1

Figuring out whether it's the fuel pump check valve or a faulty injector will be the challenge. Guess maybe it's time for that Walbro pump!

I`ve got a 04 3rz that`s never started without crankin 3or4 times.might not be a bad thing pumps oil to the top end.before fireing.by the way thanks for watchin our backs. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I don't know if this applies but, there is some kind of a tsb about redoing the ground circuit for the engine

Shovelhead: Thanks. I've had a copy of the TSB for a couple of years, but according to Toyota, my truck is not affected/covered.

Assuming that my truck is also suffering from the same issue (and that Toyota decided that 2001's were too old to mess with a TSB on...), I know the TSB involves replacing the lower engine wiring harness. I'm not sure what was changed from the old to the replacement, so not sure what I'd need to try to do with my wiring to replicate the "fix."

Thanks for the reply. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />