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2018 tacoma is suddenly a no start

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by solarguy2003, Sep 17, 2021.

  1. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:18 PM
    #1
    solarguy2003

    solarguy2003 [OP] Active Member

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    Howdy! My 2018 is a no start.

    I bought the truck new and it has never given me 5 minutes worth of trouble. Manual trans.

    Today I started it and it took much longer to start. Engine turns over vigorously, battery is in great shape, all battery connections are bright and tight.

    It did start eventually, but ran rough and almost no power. I went with a buddy to a lake 5 miles from my house. Ran rough the whole way. Did my kayaking thing and when we went to leave, it would start, run rough and then die. After 5 or 6 starts it will hardly start or idle. Still turns over with enthusiasm, just won't run. I did get a CEL at some point. My wife and I towed it home with the tractor.

    It has led a pampered and well maintained life. 25,000 miles on the clock. I'm on my way to get an OBD 2 scanner. I'll check in in about 2 hours. This is not at all an emergency, I have other vehicles, I'm not stranded.

    I did a search for "no start", no start gen 3, no start 2018, etc etc etc and came up with search results that were not at all related to my circumstance. Is there a handy thread somewhere that outlines the diagnostic path for a "turns over great, won't run" condition??

    thanks,
     
  2. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:20 PM
    #2
    supmet

    supmet Well-Known Member

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    I'd take it to auto zone to get the battery and alternator tested. My battery looked perfect when it died. The stock battery is pretty crappy
     
  3. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:24 PM
    #3
    solarguy2003

    solarguy2003 [OP] Active Member

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    I have a load tester and a bunch of other gear (multimeters, etc) and I have a voltmeter installed in the taco also. It passed the load test with flying colors. And the engine still turns over like gangbusters. Even when the engine is cranking, the voltage never drops below 11.4 to 11.7. It's not the battery.

    I will go out and jump it just to triple check. BRB.
     
    Skydvrr likes this.
  4. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:28 PM
    #4
    INSAYN

    INSAYN Well-Known Member

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    DIY Fabricobbler.
    Swap battery with a known good battery anyways. Or put your battery in a known good vehicle that will support your battery configuration.
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  5. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:35 PM
    #5
    airforceb2cc

    airforceb2cc Well-Known Member

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    Sounds like a weak fuel pump.
     
  6. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:42 PM
    #6
    solarguy2003

    solarguy2003 [OP] Active Member

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    Same result. Turns over good/normal on its own battery. Turned over good/normal/slightly faster when being jumped.

    Battery is not the issue. Never hurts to double check.

    I'll be back in a couple hours with some OBD information.

    thanks!
     
  7. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:43 PM
    #7
    Pongo

    Pongo Well-Known Member

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    Bad gas? You recently fill up somewhere?
     
    willie2 likes this.
  8. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #8
    shakerhood

    shakerhood Well-Known Member

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    Had the fuel pump recall done yet?
     
    RedWings44, auskip07, JmsWms and 4 others like this.
  9. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:44 PM
    #9
    GOTSAND?18

    GOTSAND?18 Well-Known Member

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    I’m going for fuel pump … since yours is a 2018 and it’s on the list of recalls .
     
  10. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:47 PM
    #10
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    Vaguest thread I’ve come across in a while. Truck doesn’t start but it starts. It turns over but won’t run but runs “rough”.
     
  11. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:51 PM
    #11
    jpking17

    jpking17 Well-Known Member

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    Isn't this similar to the symptoms when the crankshaft position sensor is going? May want to research that and compare symptoms.
     
    brandon78lusch likes this.
  12. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:53 PM
    #12
    solarguy2003

    solarguy2003 [OP] Active Member

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    Turns over with enthusiasm every time. Mostly doesn't start. Occasionally starts and then dies after a few seconds of very rough running. Less vague?

    No, I have not had the fuel pump recall done, although it was on my list.

    Ok, back in a couple hours.
     
    davidstacoma likes this.
  13. Sep 17, 2021 at 12:58 PM
    #13
    JFriday1

    JFriday1 Well-Known Member

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  14. Sep 17, 2021 at 1:10 PM
    #14
    Buck Henry

    Buck Henry Well-Known Member

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    Well, if you have 100% verified that it's not a battery issue, then it's most likely fuel related. I think your next step is pretty clear given you have not done the fuel pump recall yet.
     
  15. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:21 PM
    #15
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    The OP says, "Engine turns over vigorously, battery is in great shape, all battery connections are bright and tight" and then people tell him to check the battery. Do people read posts anymore or just thread titles? lol
     
    willie2, stu8319, Magdumpz and 8 others like this.
  16. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:25 PM
    #16
    Gatordog

    Gatordog Well-Known Member

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    Smells of fuel pump.... especially without the recall completed will be curious what this actually turns out to be.
     
  17. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:30 PM
    #17
    INSAYN

    INSAYN Well-Known Member

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    +1

    Get 'r done!
     
    willtill and solarguy2003[OP] like this.
  18. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:34 PM
    #18
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Replaced my 2018 battery just a month ago myself. Battery looked great still but it was dead on the inside.
     
    tcjacado likes this.
  19. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:35 PM
    #19
    LivinOnEdge

    LivinOnEdge ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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    Mine clicked heavily like it was turning over when my battery kicked the bucket same year model. Perhaps you should do a bit more research before assuming everyone else is incorrect.

    Here’s my own thread on the same issue.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/dead-battery.730167/
     
    tcjacado likes this.
  20. Sep 17, 2021 at 2:41 PM
    #20
    gudujarlson

    gudujarlson Well-Known Member

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    Ok so you did read the post... "clicked heavily like it was turning over" and "engine turns over vigorously" are two totally different things in my mind. The clicking is generally the starter solenoid trying to engage but unable to because of lack of electrical power whereas an engine turning over vigorously is a an engine being rotated by the starter with plenty of electrical power but not able to start due to some other issue (e.g. lack of fuel).
     

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