UPDATE! Long!!! : HELP!!!! STRANDED!!! 2010 Won't Start after stopping for Gas!!!

Less than 7000 miles, stopped in Meridian, got food left the place drove 100 feet, stopped at gas station, filled up truck, went to leave, turned key, lights all ok, truck won't turn over or even try!!!!!!!



UPDATE 3/5/2010:

So this morning, I called the dealership where the truck was towed. The gentlemen told me they would get right on it and call me soon. I hopped a ride over there, saw the truck parked on the side and wondered WTF. I calmly walked in, as fate had it, one of the owners greets me. I explain to him the situation, he grabs two guys and their top technician and immediately go out to the truck. They broke out a regular laptop, then the ToughBook. Nothing. No codes, no flags, nothing.

Even more crazy, when the wrecker dropped it off this morning, the asst. service manager actually said he got in it to move it.....then this happened...he said it turned over, started, then died like he had turned the key off!!!! This is now the third time and second person that has experienced this on my truck, myself being the other person.....Anyway, weird enough, the truck starts!!!! after it dies. He moved it into the yard on its own power.

So, they (Co owner, Service Manager, and Comptroller) all give me their cell numbers on a business card and say "if you have ANY problems between here and Nashville, call us, we will get you and your family home". I was floored and felt confident in leaving. I traveled about 3 miles, went to pickup the family at another location, go to leave....guess what, first try, won't turn over again.....Second turn, the truck starts, we leave and head to hotel to pack truck. We pack truck, goto leave, bam!!!!, won't turn over or anything again. The wife jumps in cursing and fightin mad, turns they key who knows how and the truck starts. In the meantime, I'm calling the service manager, he tells me he's on his way with a technician. Well, the wife had started the truck, we leave it running then follow the service manager back to dealership. Stayed there a while, still would not repeat the problem.

We decide to leave after they connect another meter of some kind to it.....Still in mind that I have those numbers in my pocket....Stopped for gas along the way, filled up the truck without turning it off (had the wife and kids stand on the other side of the parking lot while I did).

We finally made it back home!!! Haven't been able to repeat the problem as of yet, but have an appointment with the local dealership. I just wish I could deal with the guys in Meridian instead, the character and attitude is night and day from the dealership I purchased from. It's sad. I really think that I'm going to bring it in, there gonna say "No problem found." and send me on my way. I'll end up stranded again.

If this is how it's going to go down, I don't know how long I will stay a Toyota Tacoma owner. I just can't afford to not trust the vehicle I used for business and occasionally a family trip.

There's a whole entire backstory about how the truck actually got towed to the dealership, and it was not because Toyota offered. They were ready to leave me, the wife, and kids (one which is special needs ) stranded on our own to figure out how to get the truck to the dealership.

I think it explains the situation as best as I can and points out how the people at the dealership in Meridian were super-professional. I got home and shortly after got a call from service manager wanting to made sure we made it home!!!!!!!!! I didn't know these kinds of people still existed at dealerships. I'm not sure what others may think of them, but I say they went above and beyond to make sure I felt safe going back on the road. Not sure if they were jerking me around, but if they were, it was the best con job I've had pulled on me. But I'd like to believe these were good people who really wanted to do anything they could to help us.


UPDATE 04/09/2010 !!!!!!!!!
So I finally get a call back from Toyota Corp today. The case manager said basically if the dealership can't reproduce it, it didn't happen. They won't repair what they can't reproduce. I ask, "Well what happens if it does happen again and leaves me stranded again? What happens when it gets toed to the dealership and does the same thing, start up the next day or hours later?" His reply, "Well if the dealership can't reproduce the issue, Toyota doesn't do anything about that." I replied, "Really? So what about the tow you all paid for to have the truck brought to the dealership? The tow truck guy even tried to start it and the engine just would not turn over once. Toyota's going to pay for another tow and for what, because the dealership can't reproduce something you'd had paid for twice to have toed?" I get a "blank stare" answer, there was a pause, then he repeated the same exact phrase, over and over, no matter what I suggested or said. The only thing they offered was to contact another dealership after I located one. He would not even tell me other dealership names or locations near me.

Later this afternoon, I got another call from Toyota, this time a lady. Unfortunately, I was unable to take the call and she will be calling back on Monday. I can't wait to find out what she has to say.........This is really frustrating. Although it hasn't happened again, I'm just waiting on the day that it does. I get into my truck every time and wonder "Will it start or will I be stuck here waiting on a tow truck?"

 

make sure your in park. i know it sounds stupid but i had a friend do this recently. i tried everything. never thought of checking the shifter

 

If it's a manual (doubt it), try bump starting?

 

x2 it wont let you take the key out either if its not

 

not in park. already had tow to pick it up and bring to yard to see local dealer in morning.........i tried everything for 2 hours straight, everything I could think of

 

so you werent in park?

 

are the keys in the ignition?

 

get something like a hammer and tap the starter! This may help

 

sorry, not in park problem.....i'm kinda of really pissed right now....i've got two kids, one special needs, and had to fight for toyota to send a tow truck....they wanted me to pay.......again, trucks got less than 7K on it......


the truck was in park, tried, didn't work, tried neutral, didn't work......tried rocking the vehicle, didn't work.....just turn the key and no click no try to start..

 

Agreed. Sometimes the starter solenoid will freeze up. Seems odd on a brand new truck though.

 

maybe u were in some1 elses truck trying to start it with the wrong key?

 

Is the steering wheel locked?

 

nope, thought that too

 

Well let us know what is wrong with it when you find out!

 

with the manual you have to be pressing the clutch completely. So try puttin a bit more pressure. When I test drove my truck I couldn't start it, for that reason.

 

I would have also suggested maybe the clutch start cancel button, but he probably tried that.

 

it's an auto....plus if the immobilizer is bad, would it matter if it was a manual? just wondering not that it would help me right now.....

i'm thinking it's the key or the immobilizer itself.....

 

Ah, auto, nevermind my suggestion.

 

U know whats funny is I have totally done this. I was walking out of 7-11 talking on my phone with my hands full and didnt even realize I got into the wrong truck. I went to put my key in and noticed that the carpet was really dirty and I was like wtf, then I looked over and saw a backpack on the passenger seat, I said oh shit and practically jumped out of the truck. No one even saw me do it.