Starting Problems

[Benjy911]

I have a Toyota Rav 4 which starts easily when cold. When hot it takes a lot of grinding with the starter and eventually it fires but it will not idle and I have to keep my foot on the accelerator to keep it running. For about 20 seconds the rev counter does not respond and there is a red light on the dash. Eventually the rev counter springs to life and the engine will idle properly.

Any ideas?

Thank you.

[Benjy911]

The car was made in 1999.

[anchorman]

The rev counter takes information from the ECU and if that isn't getting the right inputs it won't give the right outputs (junk in, junk out).

Assuming it isn't desperately overdue for a service, start by checking all the connections around the engine and then start with the more obvious like MAF meter and the idle control valve.

A good diagnostic meter that most independants have these days should home in on it quite quickly.

Good luck.