AirCapital

I have a 1999 ES300 with 323K miles. I have a couple problems that I feel are probably related. When it is cold in the morning and I start the car, it will start for a second then die. If I give it gas for about 5 seconds, then it is fine and will run on its own. The second issue is when I accelerate, there is a surge, or maybe this is referred to as hesitation. It varies in strength, but can be very subtle to very noticeable. This is not one big surge, but rather lots of little ones. Normally it happens when I am slowly accelerating.

I installed new fuel filter, TPS, cleaned the throttle body, and the air filter is clean. There are no check engine lights, except for the VSC light. I pulled a code off the car (P0120) which has to do with the TPS which is why I changed it out.

Not sure where to go from here. I would appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you!

mmatheny

Get a can of Guaranteed to Pass fuel system cleaner and put it in the tank. That stuff is amazing - one treatment makes a noticeable difference in the performance.


http://crcindustries.com/auto/?s=05063

AirCapital

That's for the reply mmatheny. I've always read those types of cleaners don't do a whole lot of good. Might give it a try though. Thanks!

fortitude

Have you now cleared the codes in the system? Including the VSC light?

AirCapital

Yes, I did that yesterday by leaving the battery disconnected for a bit. All the codes plus the VSC light have gone off. And there are still no codes after driving it for a day.

tomf

Have you cleaned the Idle Air Control Valve (IACV)? It could be the reason for your starting problem. See this link It's for an I4 Camry but the procedure is similar and the information is good.

I used the above video when my son's 99 es300 would not start and would not idle. It would start if the accelerator was held down. When the accelerator was released the es300 would stall.

AirCapital

Fortitude, yes I cleared the codes Including the VSC light by leaving the battery disconnected for a bit. The TPS code and VSC light have not reappeared yet.

AirCapital

tomf, I had already watched that video and cleaned it. I didn't take off any hoses, but flooded the hole pretty good while rotating the magnet. It definitely feels cleaner now, but haven't noticed an improvement.

Thanks for the idea though.

AirCapital

fortitude, I cleared the codes and VSC light by disconnecting the battery for a bit and neither of them have come back yet.

tomf

When was the last time you changed your spark plugs?

AirCapital

I changed them in August, about 15,000 miles ago.

AirCapital

Yes, I cleared all the codes including the VSC light by disconnecting the battery for a bit. The TPS code nor the VSC light have come back on.

mmatheny

I put a can through an old Altima that had over 100k on it. Later I had to remove the fuel rail and pull the injectors out - they were as clean as a brand new one! My Taco got a little rough idle around 1200 rpm, put a can it, and it is as smooth as silk now.