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Home >> Lexus >> 2017 >> NX 200t Base, AWD >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Engine Performance >> System >> Engine Control System - Circuit Tests & Symptom Tests (2 Of 2) >> SFI System >> Engine Difficult to Start [10/2014 - 09/2017] >> Description
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Engine Difficult to Start [10/2014 - 09/2017]: Description

Problem Symptom Suspected Area Trouble Area
  • Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
  • Idle speed too low or high
Strong engine vibration due to above symptoms
  • Ignition malfunction
  • Deviation in air fuel ratio (Excessive or insufficient intake air volume or fuel supply)
  • Insufficient compression
  • Changes in load from another system
Ignition system
  • Spark plug
  • Ignition coil assembly
Fuel system
  • Fuel injector assembly (for direct injection)
  • Fuel injector assembly (for port injection)
  • Fuel pump (for high pressure side)
  • Fuel pump (for low pressure side)
  • Fuel pump control circuit
  • Fuel suction plate sub-assembly
  • Fuel main valve assembly
  • Fuel line
  • Purge VSV system
  • Fuel quality (existence of foreign matter, degradation)
Intake and exhaust systems
  • Mass air flow meter sub-assembly
  • Intake system

    (Air leaks or deposit accumulation)

  • Throttle with motor body assembly
  • Air fuel ratio sensor
  • Heated oxygen sensor
  • Cam timing oil control solenoid assembly
  • Camshaft timing oil control valve assembly
  • Variable Valve Timing system (VVT-iW system)
  • Brake booster assembly
Other control systems
  • ECM
  • Wire harness or connector
  • Knock control sensor
  • Engine coolant temperature sensor
Engine
  • Thermostat
  • Engine assembly
High load from another system
  • Air conditioning system
  • Power steering system
  • Electrical load signal system
  • Automatic transaxle system

HINT: 

  1. SYMPTOM AND CAUSE OF SYSTEM MALFUNCTION 

    HINT: 

    The following are descriptions of the characteristics of each system malfunction. After understanding the link between the causes and symptoms, perform the inspection of each component. Even if the problem symptom does not recur, signs of the malfunction may be found in the Data List.

    1. Ignition system
      SPARK PLUG

      Main cause of malfunction Performance degradation (wear, existence of foreign matter, etc.)
      Symptom Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      Data List Misfire Count Cylinder #1 to #4
      HINT: 
      If the spark plug of the malfunctioning cylinder is abnormally wet with fuel, a leaking fuel injector assembly is suspected.
      IGNITION COIL ASSEMBLY

      Main cause of malfunction Internal malfunction
      Problem symptom Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      Data List Misfire Count Cylinder #1 to #4
    2. Fuel system
      FUEL INJECTOR ASSEMBLY

      Main cause of malfunction Blockage, leak
      Problem symptom
      • Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      • Idle speed too low or high
      • Engine is difficult to start due to high concentration of HC
      Data List
      • Short FT Bank 1
      • Long FT Bank 1
      • Fuel System Status Bank 1
      • Target Air-Fuel Ratio
      • A/F (O2) Lambda Sensor B1S1
      • A/F Learn Value Idle Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Low Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Mid No. 1 Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Mid No. 2 Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value High Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Low (Dual) Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Mid (Dual) No. 1 Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value Mid (Dual) No. 2 Bank 1
      • A/F Learn Value High (Dual) Bank 1
      • Total FT Bank 1
      HINT: 
      • If the engine malfunction disappears when the fuel injection volume is increased or decreased using the "Control the Injection Volume", the respective cylinder may be malfunctioning.
      • If the engine is difficult to start only when the vehicle has been left as is for a long time, a leaking fuel injector assembly is suspected.
      FUEL SYSTEM

      Main cause of malfunction Fuel suction plate sub-assembly or fuel main valve assembly malfunction
      Problem symptom Engine is difficult to start due to insufficient fuel supply
      HINT: 
      • If the fuel suction plate sub-assembly or fuel main valve assembly cannot maintain residual pressure, fuel vaporization or air intrusion may occur, causing starting difficulty.
      • If the air fuel ratio becomes lean only when the engine is running under a high load and at a high engine speed, clogging of the fuel pump or fuel filter is suspected.
      FUEL QUALITY

      Main cause of malfunction
      • Fuel degradation due to age or water contamination
      • Low fuel quality
      • Addition of fuel additive
      Problem symptom
      • Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      • Idle speed too low or high
      • Engine is difficult to start
    3. Intake and exhaust systems
      MASS AIR FLOW METER SUB-ASSEMBLY

      Main cause of malfunction Performance degradation (existence of foreign matter, etc.)
      Problem symptom Lack of power
      Data List Mass Air Flow Sensor
      HINT: 
      If the value of the Data List item "Mass Air Flow Sensor" is abnormal, a malfunction of the mass air flow meter sub-assembly is suspected.
      THROTTLE SYSTEM

      Main cause of malfunction Inappropriate trim volume adjustment due to accumulation of deposits
      Problem symptom
      • Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      • Idle speed too low or high
      Data List
      • Engine Stall Control F/B Flow
      • ISC F/B Learn Torque
      • ISC Total AUXS Torque
      • ISC F/B Torque
      • Sum of ISC F/B Torque (Recent)
      • ISC AUXS Torque (Alternator)
      • ISC AUXS Torque (Air Conditioner)
      • Throttle Air Flow F/B Value
      AIR FUEL RATIO SENSOR, HEATED OXYGEN SENSOR

      Main cause of malfunction Deviation in sensor characteristics
      Problem symptom Abnormal combustion due to deviation of actual air fuel ratio from calculated ratio
      Data List
      • A/F (O2) Sensor Voltage B1S1
      • O2 Sensor Voltage B1S2
      • Fuel System Status Bank 1
    4. Engine
      ENGINE ASSEMBLY

      Main cause of malfunction
      • Compression loss
      • Accumulation of deposits

        (Combustion chamber, intake valve or intake manifold)

      Problem symptom
      • Engine speed fluctuation due to abnormal combustion
      • Idle speed too low or high
      • Hesitation during acceleration or stalling
      HINT: 
      • If deposits have accumulated in the combustion chamber or on an intake valve, the engine may stall when deposits are caught on an intake valve.
      • When performing the Active Test "Check the Cylinder Compression", if the speed of one cylinder is higher than the others, the cylinder may have a compression loss.
      • If deposits accumulate on the intake valves, the supply of fuel may be delayed due to adherence of the fuel to the deposits, causing a rough idle.
  2. Data List Items Related to Engine Difficult to Start 

    HINT: 

    Depending on the vehicle model, the applicable Data List items may vary. Data List items other than the ones used in the diagnostic procedure are for reference only.

    • Engine Stall Control F/B Flow
    • ISC F/B Learn Torque
    • ISC Total AUXS Torque
    • ISC F/B Torque
    • Sum of ISC F/B Torque (Recent)
    • ISC AUXS Torque (Alternator)
    • ISC AUXS Torque (Air Conditioner)
    • Throttle Air Flow F/B Value
    • Short FT Bank 1
    • Long FT Bank 1
    • Fuel System Status Bank 1
    • Target Air-Fuel Ratio
    • A/F (O2) Lambda Sensor B1S1
    • A/F Learn Value Idle Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Low Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Mid No. 1 Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Mid No. 2 Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value High Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Low (Dual) Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Mid (Dual) No. 1 Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value Mid (Dual) No. 2 Bank 1
    • A/F Learn Value High (Dual) Bank 1
    • Total FT Bank 1
    • Fuel Pressure (High)
    • High Pressure Fuel Pump Duty Ratio (D4)
    • Target Fuel Pressure (High)
    • High Pressure Fuel Pump Discharge Rate
    • Mass Air Flow Sensor
    • Misfire Count Cylinder #1 to #4
    • A/F (O2) Sensor Voltage B1S1
    • O2 Sensor Voltage B1S2