Possible Starter Issue?

For some reason, every once in a blue moon when I go to start my truck (has push start) the starter only turns over the engine once instead of however many times it normally cranks the engine. The truck still starts despite only cranking one time. It's only happened 2 or 3 times but still pretty weird. Anybody have any input?

 

Some ppl have reported issues with the stock battery, have you replaced that yet? Maybe have it tested?

 

I'm not sure. It did it today but I know the battery wasn't dead because I had the truck running for 30ish minutes about 2 hours before it happened.

 

If the battery is bad, it wont hold a charge properly and it could have just enough to maintain the engine using power from the alternator while running

 

What do you mean by "cranking only one time"?

 

It only happens once in a while. The very first time it happened was about 2 months ago. And again today. No issues what so ever between

 

When you go to start an engine, you hear the starter crank the engine. It's a term thats basically saying you're turning over the engine

 

Cranking over the engine means turning over the engine; got it. How many times do you usually have to "crank" the engine to start it??

 

The push start models have a thing where you just have to push the button and let go and the engine will crank, I'd say maybe, 6-7 time on it's own. But these once in a blue moon occasions, my truck will only crank once and then start up

 

Are you saying the engine cranks 6-7 seconds, or 6-7 times? And occasionally it cranks for one second? I also have the push button start and mine only cranks one time (per push of the button).

 

It cranks 6-7 times. Every video I watched of a 16 Tacoma starting has the engine crank more than once. You press the button and you can hear the starter get to work. The starter occasionally only cranks once, then the truck starts. I turn the truck off immediately after and turn it back on with no issues, the starter works normally

 

What're u defining as a "crank" lol.

 

I define "cranking" as: when the starter is engaged to rotate the engine (crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, flywheel/flex plate, ect). If you had to crank your engine more than one time, it would suggest to me that the engine did not start on the first attempt.

 

That's odd. Mine cranks the same every time. Engine fires up on the third crank if I remember correctly

 

A crank is usually refered to one rotation of the crankshaft. So if you push your start button, it'll usually crank 4-5-6 times or something like that. No one would keep hitting the start button 6 times if the truck didn't start lol.

 

Hold the button down longer. The only time my truck has done (2) what you describe was when I just pressed the button. I usually hold the button until the motor starts and have never had an issue that way.

 

And you are able to determine that your engine has rotated one revolution when you crank it? How are you able to tell?? That is quite a skill to have without looking under the hood...

 

I have a normal key and mine has done this a few times. I just chalked it up to the engine already being warm

 

Sometimes my truck starts before the button is even fully pressed. Other times I hold it for 2 seconds as it cranks a few times. Just my input.

 

With your ears. Engines are cyclical, picture an engine turning over, one that Won't fire up. I betcha you can hear the sound difference. With each compression stroke, the starter is under more load and makes a difference sound. Listen next time you start your truck. You'll be able to hear it. It's way easier to hear it than see the harmonic balancer/crank turn.