2000 Sienna LE - Engine/ABS light - No "WOOM" noise on startup either!

[alextsnet]

Hello,

I have 2000 Toyota Sienna LE. It has about 128k miles, but I've always kept on top of all the maintenance. The tire pressure light has been on for the last 3-4 years, and after tons of different procedures, it still stays on. That's not really the issue, though!

When I start my Sienna, I would always hear a whooooooom right before or after ignition (depending on how long I left the engine on before firing). I assume this is the ABS system kicking in. However, today I tried to start up, and it failed. The "check engine" and "ABS" lights came on. I figured it was an anomaly, so I fired again. It did start, but the "check engine" and "ABS" lights remain on. I do *NOT* hear that whoooooom ABS sound.

The van is drivable; I had to move it between parking lots. However - and it could just be paranoia - it seems like it has lost some oomph; usually the gas pedal is really sensitive, but today it was not. Also, it could have been because I didn't drive it around long enough, but the temp gauge never moved from it's dead below-zero point.

Is it safe to drive? Should I pick up a code reader? Take it into the dealer? Since various lights and warnings have always gone off, I'm mainly concerned about a mileage hit or my brakes locking. Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

[OZBIRN454]

The Whoom could be the fuel pump.

[alextsnet]

Thank you for the reply. The dealer said the noise was the ABS -- but the fuel pump actually makes sense.

The van is actually having a TON of trouble starting. It actually fires and turns over, but as soon as it turns over it either stalls or shuts off immediately. Sometimes it starts until I touch the gas pedal (once it's shifted into gear).

Now, the only way I can start it is to:

1) Get lucky

2) Shift into gear as SOON as it turns over

3) Don't touch the gas pedal; let it drive itself around for awhile

-

Once it's running, it stays on. The temperature gauge still doesn't work. I hope it is the fuel pump - it's not in-tank so it could be an easy and relatively cheap fix. The symptoms definitely fit.

Thanks for your help; here's to hoping it'll start so I can get it home to work on it!

[flipdriver09]

actually the fuel pump is in the tank

[hotpursuit]

Your IAC (idle air control) valve may be dirty and needs to be cleaned. The dealer will insist upon replacing it at a cost of about $250 but usually a good cleaning will fix the problem. I had an independent shop clean mine and they charged $39. Search this site for procedures on how to clean the IAC if you want to do it yourself.