When it's cold it takes 3 to 4 tries before it starts.

For the last couple of weeks, I have been having an issue starting the truck in the morning. Re-motley or with the key it takes 3-4 tries before it will fire up. Then it runs perfectly and starts fine the rest of the day. No missing, sputtering or delays. 2013 base model quad cab 4.0 160,000 miles. New fuel pump last year. Cleaned MAF, ran a scan no codes everything else falls in the normal range on the scan. It does have an aftermarket remote start a round 9 yrs old. New air filter. Unplugged negative post to reset after I ran a scan and changed air filter, it was extremely dirty. Thanks for any input.

 

Kind of suggests it's not holding fuel pressure and it takes the pump that long to build it back up after it sits.

I'd want to have a fuel pressure gauge on it when it acts up and see what it does.

 

One of the mornings I did put the key in it and turned on the ignition without starting it for about 5 seconds and it still took multiple tries before it started.

 

Toyota doesn't use a key-on prime like many other vehicles so doing that won't change anything.

 

Possibly the check valve isn't doing its job and letting the fuel pressure bleed off overnight. One way to check for that is to:

Instead of using your remote start, try starting it with the key. Turn the key to the "on" position and let it sit there for 5-10 seconds before engaging the starter. The fuel pump should turn on when the key is turned to the "on" position. If it starts on the first go, you probably identified the issue.

Disregard, since I see Toyota's fuel pumps don't work that way.

 

See my post above, Toyota doesn't use a key on prime.
Pump only runs during cranking and after the engine has started.

 

I had that first thought of lack of fuel also, but I did a few tests. I squirted a little bit of fuel directly into the intake and it did the same thing. I bypassed the fuel pump resistor and the pump turned on and it tried to start and died. I swapped out the fuel pump relay and it did the same thing. These tests were all done while cold. I feel like it is a sensor or a security issue. when I put the key in the ignition, the security light stops blinking. It has to be something very simple. I'm thinking about pulling the remote start out just because that is the only thing not stock. but i did install a carter fuel pump in it last year. IDk...

when I say I bypassed the resistor I put 12 volts directly to the black and red wire and primed the system... same thing.

 

Interesting.
I doubt it's a security issue if the security light is not blinking with the key on.
My next items to check would be if the throttle body and mass airflow sensor are clean and verify the coolant temp and intake air temp sensors read within about 5 degrees of actual outside air temp after sitting overnight.

 

I will check the coolant temp and intake air temp in the morning to verify accuracy already sterilized the MAF. I agree with the security issue but just not confident about the aftermarket remote start. Maybe the bypass security module on the remote start? Checked all the vacuum hoses and see no obvious leaks.

Throttle body is the only thing I have not touched.

I also read in other threads if the battery lost a cell it may not have enough volts for the bypass module to work correctly but will still turn the motor over.

 

Try cleaning the throttle body for shits and grins