Curious diagnostic procedures

Background:
I have a brand new 2011 toyota tacoma that was purchased in late July. It has around 650 miles total on it. The past two weeks I have had some issues starting the truck. I can hear the engine trying to turn over, but it wouldn't start. It is not a regular problem, every few days it would happen. However, in-between these occurrences it starts right up. This past Wednesday as it was struggling to turn over, it sounded as if the starter just stopped trying. Then the engine started.

Because this is a brand new tacoma, and this doesn't seem to be something a brand new tacoma should be doing, I took it to the dealership today for them to take a quick look at. I figured they could check the battery, starter, wires, and whatever else they though this could be.

Well after about two hours, I get a call saying they can't find anything. They checked the computer, battery, and..... Started it 60 times!?! Wouldn't starting it 60 times probably to more harm than good? It doesn't sound to me like it would be a part of any type of diagnostic tests...

Can anyone comment on any side effects? I am a little concerned. Thanks!

-Greg

 

Well first off, WELCOME!
Sorry to hear about your problems. I agree, a brand new truck shouldn't have starting problems.
I have read on hear that some second gens have had an issue where every once in a while they don't start right away. My 06 does it about once a year. I thought there was a TSB about it but I am not sure. Like I said, mine only does it once a year, not really enough to worry about.
I would say if the problem persists, call toyota corporate and tell them your story, they should get it sorted out for you.

 

here you go....

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/141932-new-taco-trouble-starting.html

link to TSB (technical service bulleten) from that thread...

 

Thanks for the response! I guess my concerns shifted. I am not really concerned about the starting issue, I am more concerned about my brand new truck being started 60 times in a row in a very short period of time. Is that cause for concern?

-Greg

 

I honestly don't know.
I could see it taking a little life off of the starter maybe. But overall I don't think it's going to hurt anything.

Maybe someone with more knowledge than I will chime in and have more to say on it one way or another.

For now I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

Park it for two months it will equal out in the long run.

 

I will say you are paranoid and it ain't Toyota's fault.
Get on with you-re life. How the hell did you think the service dept. try to figure out you-re problem.

 

thanks all for the help. tinker, the link you provided with the service bulletin and thread were informative.

vbibi, you provided some great insight that really helped. i guess i was just under the assumption that new vehicles should start right up. i also thought a dealership's service center was set up to provide service to the vehicles they sell. i also was unaware of the diagnostic test that included 60 consecutive start-up and shut-downs. thanks for clearing all that up though.

-Greg

 

I had this problem when I first bought my truck. I found that it was "Me" not being patient enough to wait for the "key immobilizer" to disengage (or engage?). I finally had to slow down a little bit and turn the key after waiting a second (not as soon as I jumped in my truck). No more problems starting. Hopefully that is your issue as well.

 

Sounds like they attempted to duplicate the problem, but I wouldn't say the diagnosed anything.

If my mom's 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee can log a fault code for a bad crankshaft sensor, it would seem like an 11 Tacoma should be able to register a code also. I would question their methods to be sure.

In the case of the Jeep, it started right up for the shop several times and they declared there to be nothing wrong. It died one block later and I diagnosed the problem by cycling the ignition key to retrieve the codes via the check engine light on the dash. I don't think that method works on the Tacoma, but it does show that sometimes a shop isn't willing to spend five minutes on Google to get a little info that may help a customer. A dealer is just another shop to me. There are good ones and bad ones. I question them all until I am confident in them.

 

My truck has also failed to start one time. There is a TSB for it, I haven't pursued it because it only happened one time 10K miles ago. In my case, I turned the key all the way off, then back on, waited a few seconds and cranked the engine again. It started immediately then, and never has failed again.

 

I've had this problem only twice in the 4 months since I've gotten the truck.
If it's a regular problem I'd start keeping a log to try to figure it out. Note the fuel type/brand, temperature, engine cold or warm, etc... try to notice a pattern to the problem.

 

Thanks all for the responses!

toyotatacomaTRD - I will definetly start waiting a few seconds after key insertion before starting. You had to do a similar procedure with my dad's old Honda pilot. Except this was in the drivers manual, and there was a light for when you could start it. Great tip.

Toyota also informed me to keep a log of the incidences. So I will also begin doing that.

-Greg

 

something i always do, turn the key untill ya hear the fuel pump cut in, the pump will run for a few seconds then stop, then i turn the key the rest of the way and start the truck. I just give the fuel pump time to get the system up to pressure, the truck seems to start quicker/easier