Intermittent Starting Issues . . .

Hey everyone, was hoping you could help point me in the right direction.

I have a 2009 Double Cab and have been having intermittent starting issues for about the last 6 months. It's only happened probably 4 or 5 times over that period, but the symptoms are always the same.

When it happens, I'll turn the key and get nothing. No cranking and no clicking. I still have power though as the radio and dash lights come on fine. Sometimes I'll re-try and get the same thing. Eventually, the truck will turn over but it will crank really slow, almost as though the battery is dying. Once I get it started and drive for a bit, it will start no problem and it will fire up right away, basically as though nothing is wrong.

When it first started doing this I changed the battery out thinking that was the problem. It didn't do it again so I assumed it was solved. It came back again a couple of months later so obviously that wasn't it. The last time it happened I took it into the dealership for a look. They did a diagnostic of the starting and electrical system and didn't find anything. Truck ran fine after that until today.

This morning it fired up great, then sat all day. When I got in to head home from work, I got no response from the key. This happened twice then the third time it started cranking but wouldn't turn over. It was cranking very slowly. It did this three times without turning over before finally starting. Again, it was like the battery was almost dead. I was probably cranking for 3-4 seconds as well, which is way longer than I've ever had to before when it did this. I had to run some errands after work and I got the "no response" to the key once, but that was it. When it did respond, it started very quickly and there was no slow cranking.

Does this sound like the starter going out to you? Any other thoughts? Don't really want to drop a pile of dough on "possible" fixes and unless it's doing it, you wouldn't really know something was wrong.

Thanks for any feedback you may have!

 

Check the battery connection to the starter

 

you had anything installed that could be causing a drain on it?

 

Maybe the alternator?

 

K, I will try and check the connection to the starter.

The truck is bone stock so there shouldn't be any drain.

I haven't noticed any lights dimming and when I'm not having the issue, the battery seems fine. It cranks very quickly and starts right up.

It's strange.

 

Most dreaded word "intermittent"

 

That sounds like a loose connection somewhere - I'd be looking at all power and ground connections between the battery, starter, engine block, and body ground - including where the positive cables are installed on the stud of the battery post clamp. Assuming you've already ensured that both post clamps are clean and tight, if not, do that first.

 

Some see it as a challenge...

 

Connections to the battery are clean and tight, will try and inspect the others. For me, intermittent is a PITA!

Thanks all!

 

What he said. To me, this sounds like a loose connection issue. I'd check all connections AND grounds from the starter and battery. Something sounds to be corroded and or maybe a ground is coming loose.

Intermittent is bad b/c the problem probably isn't super serious and may be hard to spot. I'd re-tighten and clean all connections - I think that'll clear it right up, and I think you'll find one connection that makes you say 'hmm, that was a bit loose' or 'hmm, that was a bit dirty'.

IMHO, as always.

 

As this is a 2009 Taco I would highly suspect the Starter Solenoid is worn and burned from use and age. They do have a rebuild kit for those I think #DoorDing has the low down on rebuilding these. Or do a search. It isn't uncommon and will give you the symptoms as you described...

It isn't hard to do, just a small pain in the @ss. Cheaper than replacing the starter by leaps and bounds.

 

Okay, thanks guys. Truck acted perfectly normal today, LOL. As soon as it warms up I'll check the connections and go from there if they check out.

 

Sounds like starter to me, but as others have said, check all connections, ESPECIALLY the grounds.

Had similar problem with my old '84 pick up. Prior to replacing the starter, I would make sure I parked on a hill so I could roll start it.(manual tranny) I also carried a hammer to give the starter a whack to get it going.
BTW, that was the only major repair I had on that truck in over 100k miles.

 

Did you find the problem/solution?

 

Was this issue ever solved? I’m having the exact same issue, but it’s much more frequent. Seems to always be right before I leave for work.. no matter the time of day lol

 

Any resolution?
Experiencing the exact same problem.

I even called to be towed. Then it started.
Cancelled the towing truck. But I am now confused since it starts good.

Starter? Relay?

 

I can’t speak for OP, but this sounds like a trademark starter solenoid/starter replacement. Weak/no start that only happens sometimes is usually the only warning you get that your starter or solenoid are going bad. I had a 2003 Corolla that just refused to start one day out of the blue around 120,000 miles. New starter and it was fine again for another 100,000 miles.

 

I had similar symptoms to my truck. Turned out to be corroded contacts inside the starter. I took out the starter and cleaned out the internal contacts with sandpaper, fixed the issue. Similar to what was done in this thread, but I just cleaned up the contacts.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-rebuild-the-tacoma-starter-motor.200964/

 

The problem is your ECU. Replace it. I had same thing. Eventually traded up to a 15 to get if off my neck.

 

No.

This is the issue. Rebuild the starter solenoid < 1 hour for <40 dollars.

You can buy the contacts and plunger new from Nations Starter and Alternator for about 30 - 35 bucks. Much cheaper than hundreds for a rebuilt POS from Autozone etc.

https://www.nationsstarteralternator.com/Starter-Rebuild-Kits-s/37.htm


Check this video for rebuilding the solenoid on the starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwokxzjlYcQ&feature=emb_logo