Hard Start Issue.....

Took a short video of the issue. I have an appointment with the dealer tomorrow.

EDIT: Tried to upload video but file extension is not supported. I'll see if I can make it work and get it posted.

 

Update: as I burned gas it got easier to start. Filled up today and the damn thing don't want to start after at least 4 cranks, turn the key back and crank it 4 times again. Finally on the 4th or 5th try it starts. Has to be a valve or leaking injector. I have a appointment on Saturday. I'll let you know the what the issue was. Hope this helps someone else

 

I don't have a 3rd gen.
But I've had a similar problem with my second gen.

I got to start it and it's a weak crank like a dead battery, I wait like 5 seconds go again and it starts right up.

Never had to do it 4 or 5 times.

 

I just dropped my truck off with the dealer and took a loaner. The tech could not duplicate the gripe in the short time I was there, but he aware that it seems to only be an issue after the truck has sat for a while. I also showed him the video I took to document the issue and he agreed there was a problem. He puled the ECU data logs and was able to see each occurrence as they are logged in the ECU memory so they are not denying a problem exists which is a good start. He is in contact with someone (Toyota engineers maybe?) in California and has shared these logs with them as I am assuming any other issues like this have been shared with the same point of contact. With the New Year upon us the dealer didn't foresee resolving the issue before middle of next week so now I wait to find out what comes next. I'll keep this thread updated so others can have a quicker resolution if they encounter the same problem.

 

Not sure this applies here but I had a similar issue years ago with a Ram 1500 qc. It would take several attempts to get it started. If you shut it off and then tried again it would fire right up. If I left it off for more than 20-30 minutes the problem would reappear. I dropped it off at the local dealer since it only had 5k miles on it and whatever was happening would be covered under warranty. Turned out the fuel line was losing pressure after it sat for awhile. The fuel pump had a issue which was allowing the pressure in the line to bleed off. They discovered the issue by checking the pressure at the fuel rail. Basically the system had to build the pressure in the entire line before it would start after sitting.

The fuel pump was in the tank and I believe it had something to do with a back flow valve or something similar in the pump.

 

There's a check valve to retain fuel pressure. Either that's fault causing the line to bleed back or an injector is leaking enough to drain the line. Most likely fuel related but could be ECM related too.

 

Got around to uploading the two videos I took before dropping the truck off at the dealer last Thursday. Here you go:

http://youtu.be/vUf5iwvaoGk

http://youtu.be/MPTytqMGVJg

 

Do you have an update?

 

Yes, the dealer has had my truck since December 31st and the issue is still not resolved. Haven't heard from them in a week so I had planned to call tomorrow to see what's going on. They have me in a near-new 2013 Tacoma Limited 4x4 so I'm in no rush at this point haha

 

Ok, so I called today and got an update. They told me they could get the hard start to show up so that's good news. They told me they have been in contact with Toyota to work out the issue but had not resolved the problem as of 1130 this morning. Then I got a call at 3 saying they had drained the fuel tank and refilled it with new gas and that the issue was resolved. I was dubious about the fix, but I know I still have nearly 6 years of warranty remaining and the lemon law on my side if it comes to that. I asked if they had read pressure at the fuel rail and the advisor said they had and it was good. I'm going to pick the truck up in the morning so I will keep you guys posted.

 

Thank you for the update. I hate to say this, but it sounds like a "buying time" fix. They get the 2013 back to sell and buy a few weeks for Toyota to work through similar issues across the country. Next time you go in, and I'm betting you do, hopefully they'll have a REAL fix. Took my through the car wash Sunday at 37 degrees. Vacuumed it, and then had the "hard start" issue. First time since around December 15th (my first incident of this). I haven't had mine in specifically for that, but I mentioned it the last time I WAS there. They just brushed it off, oddly enough, as possible "bad gas". I'm at 2700 miles.

 

I think I'll be going back in the near future for the same issue as well, unfortunately. Lemon Law in Virginia is back to the dealer 3 times for the same issue or they have your vehicle in for repairs for 30 days in a one year period. I am at 12 days now and one visit (dropped the truck off on New Year's Eve).

 

Geezus guys, I hope they can find out what is really wrong and fix the issue. Good luck

 

This is an easy one, applies to all makes and models, 37 year Diesel Tech, This is because of a bad or dead cell in the battery!!!!! Replace Battery per Toyota warranty, Hard start Issue !!! Batteries are cycling 24/7 per PCM and other electronics and go dead in 1 month sometimes if not run for a while a few times a month ! Replace Battery ! Warranty, No Cost to you, 1/2 HR Job !

 

12 days in the shop and talks with engineers in CA, it may be something other than a battery in his case.

 

I don't think it is the battery...

 

I had another hard start yesterday, after filling up with fuel. I think I have noticed one common theme...It seems to happen when I have shut the vehicle off and then tried to restart in less than 10 minutes. Each time I have had a hard start, the truck has been shut off (ex: to get gas) and then started again in a relatively short time frame.

 

explain to me how a battery will cause a crank, no start condition.

 

UPDATE and PSA: I have been having the hard start issue on about 3/10 starts. A buddy of mine was with me the other day when it happened. He has his Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering and is a self-proclaimed "motorhead", having collected, restored, and worked on classic cars and motorcycles. He immediately said "sounds like you have a bad battery". He said he has seen this in the past when he has bought a brand new battery, only to find that is has one or more bad cells. So today, I stopped by Advanced Auto Parts and had my battery checked. After plugging in the year, make, and model of my vehicle, entering the CCA (Cold cranking Amps) listed on the battery he began the test. The test required the headlights to be cycled on and then off. Sure enough, the battery is supposed to have 582 CCA, but only tested at 427. So now I must schedule an appointment with the dealer....sigh.

 

HARD START ISSUE: SOLVED
Took my truck to a local Toyota dealer's service department today. They dropped in a new battery at no charge "under warranty" and it starts, now, with gusto! Problem solved.