2010 Tacoma died while driving

So last night, after doing some grocery shopping, i got in my 2010 (Acc Cab Sport auto trans) and pulled away. After 15 feet, my truck died.
Battery is good, and truck cranked no problem, but acted like it wasnt getting gas.
A couple of guys offered to help push me to a spot out of the way of traffic, but i told them a buddy was on his way.
my buddy loves tools and fixing things.
he showed up and says, "we could try and reset the computer".
I said, " how you gonna do that". He said, "well we could pull the positive cable off the battery and touch the negative post".
"will that work?", i asked.
" we'll see", he said.
The positive battery cable was not long enough to reach the negative, so he used a long socket wrench and touched the positive to the negative.
I didnt hear anything.
He said, try it now.
i got in, cranked it over, and my truck started right up. Now no issues!
anyone heard of this trick? anyone know why this may have happened?
I called dealer to discuss, and had to leave a VM so havent heard back from them.
Weird!

 

If you disconnect the battery for 20 minutes, the ECU will reset. I'd still try to figure out what caused it to die in the first place though. Resetting the ECU may have cleared the issue but something caused it in the first place.

 

No check engine light when it died?

 

I think it came on. why?

 

Could possibly be a code that will help you diagnose the problem. Find an obd2 scanner and it can tell you.

 

Because a Check Engine Light most likely means something has failed...

A good way of thinking about a check engine light is to compare it with your bodes nervous system. The check engine light would be the pain that you feel when something has been damaged or is subpar in function on your body. The body harness of your vehicle would be the spinal cord of the human body and the sensors would be the nerve endings. If your CEL(check engine light) is illuminated, that means something is wrong. We humans have evolved to be able to have a simple evaluator built in for non complex pains or injuries. However, if it is something internal, we usually have to see a professional. Think of a scan tool as your local general practitioner doctor. Think of your Brain surgeon as your local automotive diagnostic technician.

Go buy yourself either a scanguage or something more in depth...

Goodluck

 

/\ This.

 

ahh i see. Thanks guys! i do want to know why this happened.
Does O'reillys have these scanners? Toyota will probably want to charge me for it, and thinking maybe the auto parts stores will not.

 

I am not sure if O'Reilly's auto parts scans for free anymore. I know they used to. You can purchase scanners for dirt cheap on fleabay or amazoid. However, if you are a person who does basic maintenance to your personal vehicle, it would be a wise investment to purchase a quality scanner. I use an Actron CP9580A for all my "regular" diagnostic needs. I also have a TechStream 2.0 that is used in a more professional setting.

 

Actron CP9580A are in abundance on Fleabay
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trk...P9580A&_nkw=Actron+CP9580A&_sacat=0&_from=R40
and on Amazoid
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=Actron+CP9580A

There are many to choose from, but the $150 price point is kinda the sweet spot for finding a scanner that can handle most needs.

Goodluck

 

^ unless you have a TechStream...