Tacoma Hard Start Finally Caught On Video

That isn't normal. Least you got on video.

 

Manual excerpt:

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When starting the engine​

Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress the
accelerator while starting the engine under any circumstances.​

Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.

I am guessing that we should not press the accelerator pedal when starting the vehicle, just sayin'.

 

I've owned an '85, '91, '03, and '12 (currently) pickup/Tacoma. They've all done this a handful of times each in their respective lifetime. In fact, my '12 did it for the first time today (11,000 miles). I turned the ignition, turned it over once and after 2 or three rotations, it didn't start. Paused for a second, cranked again and it started right up. I usually always let the ignition sit for two or three seconds before cranking.

No big deal. I've always had each Tacoma start on the second crank after a hard start. Each of my tacomas was driven to at least 200,000 miles with proper maintenance. I know that each of them still run today.

I wouldn't worry about it happening once in a blue moon.

 

Not to be a jerk, but you do know that you don't just slide the key into the ignition switch and wait, right? Rather, you turn the key to the "on" position, pause (you'll hear the fuel pump and other electronics humming), then continue turning the key to the start position.

 

After seeing how these upside down oil filters empty overnight, I'm actually glad that these engines take several rotations before they fire. Get that oil starting to move before it lights up is a good thing IMHO but I have to say that I have not experienced this symptom. However, it does seem like my Taco just takes a bit longer to turn over than any other car I have ever owned.

The smoke almost looks like dirty plugs. Is it burning oil? Smell anything funky?

Auto tranny or manual?

 

same with my 2013 now i always have my iphone ready to rec every startup hoping to catch it...

 

Auto. 36,000km. Not sure about burning oil but it usually smells funky after it does one of these rough starts.

 

I should add that I always let it prime a few seconds before hitting the starter, it was a habit from my old S10.

I can't say that I'm really worried about it honestly.

 

Check your manual. It does that automatically to prevent window fogging when it's cold outside. Hold the recirc button down for three seconds and it'll stay in that mode. You'll have to do it again after restarting the engine.

 

both times it happened I turned the key to the on position and wait 5 secs or so...let the computer wake up then turn it over...

 

Nice man thank you. Didn't foresee the weather getting cold enough for that to be engaged in San Diego.

 

My 2012 did the same thing but starts on the second try. Happened about 5 times so far in 6500km, more-so when it was new off the lot. It's playing nice now, it has not done it in quite awhile.

Went to the dealer when it first happened they could not find a code or a problem.
Ghost in the machine.

 

no


VVT-i is Variable Valve Timing with intelligence

 

I've owned an '01 Tacoma, '01 Tundra, '03 4Runner, '07 Tacoma and now my 2012 4 door. I never had any of the above vehicles need their key turned more than once consecutively.....none of them, ever! It's happened 4 times since I bought my 2012 in August and I just now turned over 5,000 miles. First happened in November leaving my uncle's funeral; my wife turned to me with a sheepish grin and said, "Nice truck....." Fired up on the second try, but it still took a little cranking.

It was during hunting season so it needed a good wash for a formal affair. That's the only thing I can think that could've caused it at the time, that and it was a cool November night. Come to think of it, the other times I'm pretty sure it was either snowing or raining.

Happened 3 times since then, very intermittently, and only 1 of those times was she not in with me.

Against my better judgment, I'm taking it in for my free oil change and tire rotation this weekend. I'll ask about it then.

 

The intermittent start doesn't bother me, I'm only bothered by the looks I get when it just sits while cranking and struggles to start.

 

Correct. You should not engage the gas pedal when cranking a fuel injected engine. Most manufacturers however do have what is called "Clear Flood Mode" when in cases of a no start that causes the engine to flood, you press the pedal all the way down and crank the engine for 5 seconds. This engages "Clear Flood" which turns off the injectors while the pedal if depressed and the engine is cranking.

Personally from the sounds of the video, it sounds like a fuel starve or fuel flood condition (Both problems will appear the same when cranking) You can hear the engine TRYING to catch for a bit before it actually does start. I would guess in my opinion that you are probably starved, and the engine does not start because of insufficient fuel. Though this is only an educated guess from my experience in driveability. A normally operating fuel system SHOULD maintain enough fuel pressure for a reasonably quick engine start, even overnight. However anything that can cause this pressure to bleed off can cause this. A bad check valve in a fuel pump (on that sticks perhaps when it gets cold sometimes) can allow all of the fuel in the fuel lines to drain back into the tank overnight. This means that it would take from 8 to 10 seconds at least to get it to start in the morning. This would explain the exact condition that you are dealing with.

Sorry, but as mentioned you have the incorrect name of the system, as well as how it operates. Today's engines are designed with multiple sensors, and are usually able to start within a single revolution of the crankshaft. Normal cranking speed is around 150RPM or higher, which means that the engine will complete a single revolution in as little as 1/2 of a second. If an engine cranked over for 5 seconds, then it has completed a minimum of 12 full revolutions. PLENTY of time to have the spark and fuel timed in.

 

Exactly!

And, by the way, I finally got some pics of my new truck uploaded....

 

Nice looking truck!

 

Same thing has happened to me twice in my 2011 prerunner. I didn't hold it for as long as you did though. After maybe 2 seconds of it cranking like that I turned the key back towards me and tried again. Started right up then. I smelled a lot of exhaust though both times after it started up.

No point in taking it to the dealer since it's so intermittent. I'd rather not waste my time. As long as it starts up and I'm not stranded somewhere, then it doesn't really bother me.

It just seems so random...

 

I've experienced that twice so far. Each time it was very cold out. Could be fuel.

12Tac