Truck Starts Then Dies in 2-3 Seconds

Hey, Guys,

It's been a while since I have been on the site, but I know I can count on the wisdom and kindness on this board. Thank you in advance.

This morning I got up to go golf and my truck started fine. After a round I drove back to my home just fine. It's 3-4 miles between my home and the course, and the temperature changed from around 50-60 degrees. Then about an hour later I tried to start my truck and this series of events happened:

1) The truck started just fine but died 2-3 seconds later
2) After waiting about a minute, I tried starting it and it would not start at all, although the engine was turning over normally
3) Another 30 seconds later it started and died 2-3 seconds later, again.

I took out my K&N filter and washed it, then hitched a ride to school with a friend while it dries. I will oil the filter when I get home and pop it back in, but I doubt that's the problem.

Any ideas/suggestions/DIY fixes for someone with a very humble and limited knowledge base would be very appreciated.

Thanks again.

 

Inspect/clean your Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. It may be dirty from the filter oil. That's where I would start.

 

Also, not to be smart, but... You have gas in the tank right?

 

I had something similar and figured out it was a security issue. Did you leave your key in the ignition with the truck off?

 

No, I just figured since I needed coffee this morning that my truck would probably appreciate some, too. So I swapped the gas for a venti light roast with 2 Splendas.

In all fairness I did have to think to make sure that I did check that this morning! Thanks for the quick replies! I appreciate it.

 

No, I can't say that I remember ever doing this. I keep my truck in a garage every night, and my office and school are both fairly safe. What happened with yours, if you don't mind me asking?

 

When I first got the truck I would just turn the truck off and leave the key in the ignition if I was coming back soon. I guess this triggers the ignition kill. It would start up then shut off right away.

 

This, plus make sure the sensor is plugged in. It will do this exact same thing I the MAF isn't working right.

 

I'm with them on checking the MAF. A lot of people dont like oiled filters for that reason

 

Thanks, everyone. I even found a step-by-step video on how to clean the MAF sensor here on TW. I will do this tonight and post whether or not it remedied the problem.

 

If it is I'd get rid of the K&N and get a AFE Pro Dry. That's what most people run, still a reusable filter. And there's a coupon on here somewhere

 

I would try the other key also. Thats exactly what my truck would do when I tested a remote start kit without the key cloner. It would fire and run briefly then die and just crank.

 

My 2014 has done this a couple times if I unhook the battery and let it sit unhooked for a little bit (5-10mins) . Once I reconnect the battery it will start and die but then I crank it again and it fires up. Not much to add but I have found this to be some what odd. Probably an anti theft thing.

I would def check the MAF sensor and also try disconnecting the battery, let it sit for a few minutes and reconnect it

Good luck!

 

OP, whats the word?

 

Sorry for the delay, guys! I am just starting week 2 of my final(s) week!

Cleaning out the MAF sensor completely fixed the issue. There have been no further problems whatsoever. Again, I just want to thank everyone for the expedient help and spot-on advice. I appreciate it very much.

Kelly

 

Gonna check into that AFE pro dry to avoid further issues haha?

 

I just had the same exact problem on my 2014 Toyota Tundra CrewMax Platinum 4WD. Never had any issues with this truck, mechanical or otherwise. Was fine this morning on the way to my office. Got in my truck to go to lunch and truck wouldn't start. Battery was fine and the engine would turn over, but not start. Every now and then, it would crank and die within a couple of seconds. Looked around online for a while and called my mechanic to ask him. He searched for a bit but couldn't really diagnose but said it was possible the key sensor had gone bad. Turns out it was a security issue with the key sensor. Started fiddling around with the key and noticed a really small rubber button on the key right next to where the key goes in to the plastic part. I pushed it in a couple of times. Cranked right up. Not sure if that was really the issue or just coincidence. I turned the truck off and cranked several times. Went to lunch and let it sit for a while and still fires up right away. Not sure if this helps but look for the little tiny button on your key and see if it works.

 

Emergency fuel shut of switch can malfunction sometimes, I hit a tiny bump in my first gen and it made it turn on. Could just be that

 

Does your clock reset when your truck dies? I'm just starting to have the same problem.

 

my truck did this because i left the keys in the ignition all the time. A smart dude on here told me the fix. Turn your key on then off three times then take it out of the ignition and lock and unlock 3 times with the remote. start it. Its a security function i guess