Hard Starting

[cruzin808]

I need some help. I got a 02 D-Cab 3.4L with about 62,000 miles. Sometimes when I try to start my truck it shakes and dies out. When I give it some gas and start it to bring up the RPMs than its fine but this happens whenever it wants to. The check engine light doesn't come on & I have already replaced the battery & completed a tune-up (plugs & wires). Any suggestions?

[ctesla]

aloha, and welcome to AF.
you have humidity and moisture down there...
have you ever opened the air intake horn, and cleaned out the Mass Air Flow? these are HIGHLY affected by humidity. you do not have to tear it down (although this is the prefered method), just spray (sparingly) some air intake cleaner down through the "honeycombed" portion trying to spray (again, sparcely) the small "weather vane" type sensor protuding into the air flow space. allow to air dry, prior to bolting back together, and firing her up.

...was the shaking occuring PRIOR to the tune-up? many Toy's are picky about there components (as other newer vehicles are as well).
if cleaning the MAF doesn't help, post what plugs you are using, as you might have compounded the issue, by effectively "down-grading" your plugs and/or wires.
many aftermarket platinums (Bosch especially) leave there electrode well inside the ceramic insulator, unlike AC, Autolite, Champion and others who extend the firing tip out, and into the combustion area.
also any manufacturers require double platinum plugs now, so a $1.99 plug is less than what it had from the OEM original plugs with over 60+K on them!
the Bosch+4 is an excellent plug, and will give a crisp powerful spark, but may decrease mileage slightly.
whatever came out of the vehicle (if original) is probably the best "all around" plug for your truck AND designed to last for a 70-100K tune-up (refer to owner's manual).

hope this helps,
chris
nrt racing

[cruzin808]

Mahalo!! I'll give it a try. The plugs & wires I replaced were oem.

[t_man_boom]

Originally Posted by cruzin808

Mahalo!! I'll give it a try. The plugs & wires I replaced were oem.

I too have had the same problem with my 95 Tacoma even after everything was replaced. Can you please tell me where the air intake horn and the Mass Air Flow are located. Thanks