Page 1828 of 4264

6A-4 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Engine Diagnosis
Hard Starting
1. Starting Motor Does Not Turn Over
Troubleshooting Procedure
Turn on headlights and starter switch.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Headlights go out or dim considerably Battery run down or under charged Recharge or replace battery
Terminals poorly connected Clean battery posts and terminals
and connect properly
Starting motor coil circuit shorted Overhaul or replace
Starting motor defective Overhaul or replace
2. Ignition Trouble
Starting Motor Turns Over But
Engine Does Not Start Spark Test
Disconnect an ignition coil from any spark plug.
Connect the spark plug tester 5884003830, start the
engine, and check if a spark is generated in the spark
plug tester. Before starting the engine, make sure that
the spark plug tester is properly grounded. To avoid
electrical shock, do not touch the part where insulation
of the ignition coil is broken while the engine is running.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Spark jumps across gap Spark plug defective Clean or replace
Ignition timing incorrect Refer to Ignition System
Fuel not reaching fuel injector(s) or
engine Refer to item 3 (Trouble in fuel
system)
Valve timing incorrect Adjust
Engine lacks compression Refer to item 4 (Engine lacks
compression)
No sparking takes place Ignition coil disconnected or broken Connect properly or replace
Electronic Ignition System with
module Replace
Poor connections in engine harness Correct
Engine Control Module cable
disconnected or defective Correct or replace
Page 1829 of 4264

ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-5
3. Trouble In Fuel System
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Starting motor turns over and spark
occurs but engine does not start. Fuel tank empty Fill
Water in fuel system Clean
Fuel filter clogged Replace filter
Fuel pipe clogged Clean or replace
Fuel pump defective Replace
Fuel pump circuit open Correct or replace
Evaporative Emission Control System
circuit clogged Correct or replace
Multiport Fuel Injection System faultyRefer to “Electronic Fuel Injection"
section
4. Engine Lacks Compression
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Engine lacks compression Spark plug loosely fitted Tighten to specified torque
Valve timing incorrect Adjust
Cylinder head gasket defective Replace gasket
Valve incorrectly seated Lap valve
Valve stem seized Replace valve and valve guide
Valve spring weakened or broken Replace
Cylinder or piston rings worn Overhaul engine
Piston ring seized Overhaul engine.
Engine Compression Test Procedure
1. Start and run the engine until the engine reaches
normal operating temperature.
2. Turn the engine off.
3. Remove all the spark plugs.
4. Remove ignition coil fuse (15A) and disable the
ignition system.
5. Remove the fuel pump relay from the relay and
fuse box.
6. Engage the starter and check that the cranking
speed is approximately 300 rpm.
7. Install cylinder compression gauge into spark plug
hole.
8. With the throttle valve opened fully, keep the
starter engaged until the compression gage needle
reaches the maximum level. Note the reading.
9. Repeat the test with each cylinder.
If the compression pressure obtained falls belo
w
the limit, engine overhaul is necessary.
Limit; 1000 kPa (145 psi)
Page 1830 of 4264

6A-6 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Rough Engine Idling or Engine Stalling
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in fuel injection system Idle air control valve defective Replace
Throttle shutting off incomplete Replace
Throttle position sensor circuit open
or shorted Correct or replace
Fuel injector circuits open or shortedCorrect or replace
Fuel injectors damaged Replace
Fuel pump relay defective Replace
Mass Airflow Sensor circuit open or
poor connections Correct or replace
Mass Airflow Sensor defective Replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or poor connections Correct or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defective Replace
Intake Air Temperature sensor circuit
open or poor connections Correct or replace
Intake Air Temperature sensor
defective Replace
Vehicle Speed Sensor circuit open or
shorted Correct or replace
Vehicle Speed Sensor defective Replace
Trouble in emission control system EGR valve defective Replace
EGR valve circuit open or poor
connection Correct or replace
Engine Control Module defective Replace
Canister purge valve circuit open or
poor connections Correct or replace
Canister purge valve defective Replace
Evaporative Emission Canister Purge
control valve defective Replace
Trouble in ignition system Refer to “Hard Start"
Others Engine lacks compression Refer to “Hard Start"
Valve incorrectly seated Lap valve
Air Cleaner Filter clogged Replace filter element
Valve timing incorrect Readjust
Idle air control valve broken Replace
Fast idle solenoid defective Replace
Positive Crankcase Ventilation valve
defective or clogged Replace
Page 1831 of 4264
ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L) 6A-7
Rough Engine Running
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Engine misfires periodically Ignition coil layer shorted Replace
Spark plugs fouling Clean or install hotter type plug
Spark plug(s) insulator nose leaking Replace
Fuel injector(s) defective Replace
Engine control module faulty Replace
Engine knocks periodically Spark plugs running too hot Install colder type spark plugs
Engine control module faulty Replace
Engine lacks power Spark plugs fouled Clean
Fuel injectors defective Replace
Mass Airflow Sensor or Intake Airflow
Sensor circuit defective Correct or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
or Engine Coolant Temperature
Sensor circuit defective Correct or replace
Engine Control Module faulty Replace
Intake Air Temperature Sensor or
Intake Air Temperature Sensor circuit
defective Correct or replace
Throttle Position Sensor or Throttle
Position Sensor circuit defective Correct or replace
Page 1834 of 4264

6A-10 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Engine Lacks Power
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in fuel system Fuel Pressure Control Valve not
working normally Replace
Fuel injector clogged Clean or replace
Fuel pipe clogged Clean
Fuel filter clogged or fouled Replace
Fuel pump drive circuit not working
normally Correct or replace
Fuel tank not sufficiently breathing
due to clogged Evaporative Emission
Control System circuit Clean or replace
Water in fuel system Clean
Inferior quality fuel in fuel system Use fuel of specified octane rating
Engine Control Module supplied poor
voltage Correct circuit
Throttle Position Sensor cable broken
or poor connections Correct or replace
Throttle Position Sensor defective Replace
Mass Airflow Sensor not working
normally Replace
Manifold Absolute Pressure Sensor
not working normally Replace
Intake Air Temperature Sensor not
working normally Replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor
defective Replace
Engine Control Module defective Replace
Trouble in intake or exhaust system Air Cleaner Filter clogged Replace filter element
Air duct kinked or flattened Correct or replace
Exhaust system clogged Correct or replace
Ignition failure ———— Refer to Hard Start Troubleshooting
Guide
Heat range of spark plug inadequateInstall spark plugs of adequate heat
range
Ignition coil defective Replace
Page 1838 of 4264

6A-14 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Troubleshooting Procedure
The slapping sound stops when spark plug on bad
cylinder is shorted out.
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Timing belt noise Timing belt tension is incorrect Replace pusher or adjust the tension
pulley or replace timing belt
Tensioner bearing defective Replace
Timing belt defective Replace
Timing pulley defective Replace
Timing belt comes in contact with
timing cover Replace timing belt and timing cover
Valve noise Valve clearance incorrect Replace adjusting shim
Valve and valve guide seized Replace valve and valve guide
Valve spring broken or weakened Replace
Valve seat off–positioned Correct
Camshaft worn out Replace
Crankshaft noise Crankshaft end play excessive (noise
occurs when clutch is engaged) Replace thrust bearing
Engine knocking Preignition due to use of spark plugs
of inadequate heat range Install Spark Plugs of adequate heat
range
Carbon deposits in combustion
chambers Clean
Fuel too low in octane rating Replace fuel
Wide Open Throttle enrichment
system failure Refer to Section 6E
Selection of transmission gear
incorrect Caution operator of incorrect gear
selection
Engine overheating Refer to “Engine Lacks Power"
Others Water pump defective Replace
Drive belt slipping Replace auto tentioner or drive belt
Page 1840 of 4264
6A-16 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in emission control system Heated Oxygen Sensor circuit open Correct or replace
Heated Oxygen Sensor defective Replace
Signal vacuum hose loosely fitted or
defective Correct or replace
EGR Valve circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
EGR Valve defective Replace
ECT Sensor circuit open or shorted Correct or replace
Canister Purge Valve circuit open or
shorted Correct or replace
Canister Purge Valve defective Replace
ECT Sensor defective Replace
Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV)
valve and hose clogged Correct or replace
Evaporator system Refer to Section 6E
Trouble in ignition system ———— Refer to “Engine Lacks Power"
Trouble in cylinder head parts Carbon deposits in combustion
chamber Remove carbon
Carbon deposit on valve, valve seat
and valve guide Remove carbon
Page 1842 of 4264

6A-18 ENGINE MECHANICAL (6VE1 3.5L)
Fuel Consumption Excessive
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Trouble in fuel system Mixture too rich or too lean due to
trouble in fuel injection system Refer to “Abnormal Combustion"
Fuel cut function does not work Refer to “Abnormal Combustion"
Trouble in ignition system Misfiring or abnormal combustion due
to trouble in ignition system Refer to “Hard Start" or “Abnormal
Combustion"
Others Engine idle speed too high Reset to Section 6E
Returning of accelerator control
sluggish Correct
Fuel system leakage Correct or replace
Clutch slipping Correct
Brake drag Correct
Selection of transmission gear
incorrect Caution operator of incorrect gear
selection
Lubrication Problems
Symptom Possible Cause Action
Oil pressure too low Wrong oil in use Replace with correct engine oil
Relief valve sticking Replace
Oil pump not operating properly Correct or replace
Oil pump strainer clogged Clean or replace strainer
Oil pump worn Replace
Oil pressure gauge defective Correct or replace
Crankshaft bearing or connecting rod
bearing worn Replace
Oil contamination Wrong oil in use Replace with correct engine oil
Oil filter clogged Replace oil filter
Cylinder head gasket damage Replace gasket
Burned gases leaking Replace piston and piston rings or
cylinder body assembly
Oil not reaching valve system Oil passage in cylinder head or
cylinder body clogged Clean or correct