Engine shuts off after warming up and will not restart until it has cooled down?

2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
226,000 MILES • 3.0L • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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EVE GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The car first time shut off when i was driving and started after a while when engine was cool. i changed the fuel filter and spark plugs but did not fix it. It starts fine and after a few minutes it reaches temperature, the engine shuts off and it won't start again until it is cool.
Oct 27, 2023 at 10:40 AM
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STRAILER
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 54,832 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Do you have any codes? Here is how to get the codes which can help us fix it, I have seen the engine coolant temperature sensor short out and cause this problem as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/comprehensive-guide-reasons-why-a-car-engine-wont-run-when-hot-and

Here is the location of the engine coolant sensor, if you unplug it when the engine is hot, and it starts up for sure the coolant sensor is the problem. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.


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Oct 27, 2023 at 4:10 PM
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