Delayed Ignition on 2021 TRD Offroad

Hi All,

I’m having an issue with my 2021 TRD Offroad. When I go to start it there is anywhere from a 5-10 second delay when I press the Push to Start before the starter begins to turn over. Once the starter begins spinning the truck fires right up.

When I push the button there is an audible single click from under the hood, all of the electronics start up, then after a few seconds the starter spins and the truck fires right up. After starting I can shut off and restart the truck instantly over and over without issue.

I had the battery, starter and alternator tested and they all passed. I made an appointment at the dealership and of course the issue wasn’t reproducible that day.

Any suggestions? All fuses in the cab are good. Battery is 16 months old and passed its test. Truck drives great but the delay is getting longer and longer.

I’m going to make another appointment but would love input.

 

hmm, these are tough. Only suggestion I have is to have your phone on the ready and video startups, in hopes of catching it.

 

I don’t have the button in my Tacoma but in previous cars this usually was because of a weak battery. Any difference in temperature between when you noticed the issue and the battery test & dealer visit?

if it’s not that then possibly a weird ECU issue. The click should be the solenoid and if the starter eventually fires then it’s getting power. I don’t know if Toyota is doing anything in between those two steps, but it would be a strange engineering decision.

 

https://youtu.be/foxQ0l_dYcc

It's a Toyota, so maybe the steps to troubleshoot might be the same. Starter motor/starter relay/etc..... At the end of the video, it ended up being the battery in the remote that seemed to solve the issue. Easy enough to test and your remote battery should probably be changed out anyway at this point. Good luck!

 

I replaced the key battery and it didnt help the issue. I’ve also tried holding the key to the push to start button which supposedly will allow the truck to start if the key battery is dead. No dice.

 

Probably should have included this info
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/wet-3rd-gen-interior.789914/

 

Well, you're under warranty so I'd get it to the dealer to have them poke around and figure it out. Best of luck getting it fixed. Let us know what it was please.

 

Since you were stuck in fairly deep water:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/slow-turn-over-after-wet-engine-bay.659644/page-2

TL;DR: It was his starter. He soaked the crap out of it with some carb cleaner and that resolved his issue. I might suggest
some contact cleaner instead, but that's your choice.

 

so how much time has to pass before it will do it again?
may have to leave it at the dealer and they try later or the ext morning.

 

Has nothing to do with it. The 3rd Gen doesnt havent any modules or electrical connections on the floor except for the seats. Nothing electrical got wet - I checked every connector when re-installinf the interior.

Maybe it killed the starter but I spoke to the owner of a local 4x4 shop and he said it’s unlikely.

 

so you don't know what it is,,, but you know what it's not

 

Do you have a test light or volt meter ? IF so, get under the truck put the lead from you test light or volt meter on the starter solenoid wire [small wire] [The big cable will have 12 volts all the time] now have someone push the starter button, if you have 12 volts down on this small starter wire while pushing the starter button and engine will not crank, u have a defective starter [flat spot on the armature.] if no power there when hitting the starter button, the problem is possible starter button or wiring issues possible bad relay etc etc... ?? Good luck

 

Update: I took the truck to the dealership and they diagnosed and replaced the starter under warranty. They also found a rear main seal leak which was surprising considering the truck only has 18,000 miles.

Glad it was fixed without much fuss!

 

surprising, yes and no. their going to fix also, correct? that's a bit of work. did they also check for the timing cover dreaded leak?

 

Because my truck is fluid filmed the dealership said Toyota wants them to clean the area and re-check at the next oil change. Seems reasonable to me. It’s been documented and it’s in writing so if anything bad happens I’ll be covered.

i’ll check the timing cover but the engine looks good. I mean, the truck is only a year and a half old.