2009 Corolla - Parked Last Night - Now No Start

#1
I searched the forum first, but the only suggestion I found was disconnecting the battery to let the ecu reset. I did this and still have a no start issue.

You can hear the fuel pump kick on with the key turned forward, the battery seems to have plenty of juice and the car turns over as it should.

Where should I start looking? Is there a way to pull codes with a reader? Common no start issues for this car? Any help is appreciated!
 
#3
Apologies it's a 2009 Corolla S. I'm at work trying to diagnose from here while she messes with it. I've had her turn the key forward to listen for the fuel pump and she says she heard it 2 out of 4 times. That's suspicious to me as when it goes back it's bad it doesn't usually cut in and out. So fuel issue could still be on the table. What are some common issues that cause a no start?
 
#6
Go through the motions. Air, ignition, and fuel, then go from there.

No unusual no-start conditions from 2009 Corollas specifically. The 2ZR-FE is a pretty solid motor.
 
#8
So I went straight there after work last night. Being the not intelligent person I am I had told her to disconnect the battery not thinking I would lose any engine codes. So I wasn't able to pull any codes with the code reader. So next thing I did was turn the key forward and listen for the fuel pump to prime, I didn't hear it. Granted I was listening from outside the car and not in the trunk. I tried turning the car over, battery was strong and starter was fine.

The car would turn over no problem and sputter occasionally like a lawn mower does when it wants to start but hasn't in awhile. So the second time it sputtered a little I pressed the gas peddle. (I realize this doesn't do anything on most new cars but what the hell) and to my surprise the car sputtered to life and died. I did it again this time continuing to give it gas once it sputtered to life. The motor seemed to clear out and ran fine.

It's starting fine, idling fine, it may be a little down on power. Still no check engine light either... I'm happy it's running again but suspect because whatever caused this wasn't for no reason. Started up fine this morning too no issues. :eek:
 
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Scott O'Kashan

Super Moderator
#9
Thanks for the update.

How long was the car parked before trying to restart the engine and was the engine hot when the car was parked? It could be a vapor lock situation, although that is very rare.

Try taking your car to Advance Auto Parts or Autozone, etc., to have them use their code scanner to check for any stored trouble codes. They'll do this for you for free.

The fuel pump could be just starting to fail.
 
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#10
Thanks for the update.

How long was the car parked before trying to restart the engine and was the engine hot when the car was parked? It could be a vapor lock situation, although that is very rare.

Try taking your car to Advance Auto Parts or Autozone, etc., to have them use their code scanner to check for any stored trouble codes. They'll do this for you for free.

The fuel pump could be just starting to fail.
The car was cold and she started it, pulled it 10 ft from the drive way into the garage and shut it off, next morning this issue. It showed no signs the night before.

I don't have my own code reader so the one I used to attempt to pull codes was the borrowed one from auto zone. But alas since I had her disconnect the battery any codes were wiped. My guess would be the fuel pump is starting to fall also but I don't know these cars at all and if that's a common issue. I'm just glad it's drafting starting and running fine, but my past experience tells me to be weary as it probably is a precursor to a bigger problem.
 
#11
I had this happen one time in my '82 Mustang GT. I had a K&N filter in it, oiled it, and thought I gave it enough time to dry but didn't. Ran fine for two days, then stalled out on me in the middle of the road and wouldn't restart. Next day I went out to get the car, and she fired right up.

If you do have a K&N and oiled it recently, that may be it. Personally, I'd ditch it since:
A) they don't filter that well
B) you have to clean and oil them a lot more often than 50,000 miles, especially in a dirty climate.

I ran it until it was dirty again, then trashed it for a paper filter.
 
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