Difficult To Start

2004 Toyota Celica GT, StandardSECTION Difficult To Start
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 16 other vehicles, including the 2002 Toyota Tundra, 2002 Toyota Tacoma, 2002 Toyota Sienna, 2002 Toyota Sequoia, and 2002 Toyota RAV4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Difficult To Start & Engine Cranks Normally

  • On Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Corolla, Highlander, Land Cruiser, MR2, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner, check starter signal circuit. See STARTER SIGNAL CIRCUIT under COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS in appropriate SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING article.
  • On Celica and ECHO, check starter signal circuit at STA terminal on Engine Control Module (ECM). See WIRING DIAGRAMS article. For illustration of ECM location, see THEORY & OPERATION article. No other testing information is available from manufacturer.
  • On Avalon, Camry 2.2L 4-cylinder gasoline models, Camry 3.0L V6, Camry Solara, Celica, Corolla, ECHO, Highlander, MR2, Prius, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra 3.4L V6 and 4Runner, check fuel pump control circuit. See FUEL PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT under COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS in appropriate SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING article.
  • On Land Cruiser, check fuel pump control circuit. See DTC P1200: FUEL PUMP RELAY/ECU CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - LAND CRUISER article.
  • On with sequential manual transaxle, check throttle body and components for Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS). See THROTTLE BODY under IDLE CONTROL SYSTEMS in SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - 4-CYLINDER article. Models with sequential manual transaxle may be identified by the shift lever pattern which consists of "R", "N", "S" and "+" in place of the conventional type shift lever pattern and no clutch pedal is used.
  • On Sequoia and Tundra 4.7L V8, check fuel pump control circuit. See DTC P1200: FUEL PUMP RELAY CIRCUIT test in appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article.
  • On all models, check engine compression. See MECHANICAL INSPECTION under PRELIMINARY INSPECTION & ADJUSTMENTS in appropriate BASIC DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES article.

Difficult To Start When Engine Is Hot Or Cold

  • On Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Corolla, Highlander, Land Cruiser, MR2, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra and 4Runner, check starter signal circuit. See STARTER SIGNAL CIRCUIT under COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS in appropriate SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING article.
  • On Celica and ECHO, check starter signal circuit at STA terminal on Engine Control Module (ECM). See WIRING DIAGRAMS article. For illustration of ECM location, see THEORY & OPERATION article. No other testing information is available from manufacturer.
  • On Avalon, Camry 2.2L 4-cylinder gasoline models, Camry 3.0L V6, Camry Solara, Celica, Corolla, ECHO, Highlander, MR2, Prius, RAV4, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra 3.4L V6 and 4Runner, check fuel pump control circuit. See FUEL PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT under COMPUTERIZED ENGINE CONTROLS in appropriate SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING article.
  • On Land Cruiser, check fuel pump control circuit. See DTC P1200: FUEL PUMP RELAY/ECU CIRCUIT test in SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - LAND CRUISER article.
  • On MR2 with sequential manual transaxle, check throttle body and components for Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS). See THROTTLE BODY under IDLE CONTROL SYSTEMS in SYSTEM & COMPONENT TESTING - 4-CYLINDER article. Models with sequential manual transaxle may be identified by the shift lever pattern which consists of "R", "N", "S" and "+" in place of the conventional type shift lever pattern and no clutch pedal is used.
  • On Sequoia and Tundra 4.7L V8, check fuel pump control circuit. See DTC P1200: FUEL PUMP RELAY CIRCUIT test in appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS article.
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When to See a Mechanic

Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:

  • β€’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
  • β€’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
  • β€’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
  • β€’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
  • β€’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.