So my truck wont start....

looking for some ideas before I have it towed to the garage.

Some back story and info:

2007 Taco Sport 6 cyl with automatic tranny.

About a week ago I went to move the truck and it would turn over but not start. It seemed like it wasn't getting fuel.

Something told me to shift the truck from park through the gears and then try again. I did...and it started right up.

I've been driving it all week. It's started normally all week. This morning I drive it to church and when I go to leave...same thing. Turns over strong but wont ignite. Shifted through the gears multiple times. It just turns and turns but wont start.

Any thoughts on where to begin looking??

 

Turns over real strong. Has a full tank of gas.

 

Check fuses.

 

Headed back over there now. Fuses is on my list of things to check.

What has me puzzled though is why it is intermittent. It seems like if it was a blown fuse what ever that fuse was protecting would not work and the problem wouldn't go away. But after the initial problem a week ago. It started and has drove completely normal all week. Now it is doing it again...this time however it's not starting.

 

Try in neutral instead of park? Might be the interlock...

 

Tried starting it again with no luck. I couldn't find any blown fuses.

Also hooked up a code reader. It showed P0102 Mass air flow sensor. Don't know if thats connected or not.

Not sure if I tried starting in Neutral or not. Saw that post after I got home.

I'm starting to think its either fuel pump or fuel pump relay...

 

So, now it gets weird.

Went back over to the truck before I was going to have it towed to the garage.

Jumped in it and it fired right up like it was nobody's business.

Drove it home...now I'm afraid to turn it off.

It drove completely normal. What now???

 

Hard to check for an intermittant problem... I would start by checking for loose/corroded electrical connectors, and sensors.

 

My sister's Escape had an issue similar to this, turns out a bug got sucked through the air box somehow and got into either the MAF sensor or IAT sensor.

Hope this helps...

 

Could be a ground. Iv ran into that before. And as far as the fuel pump do you hear it running when you turn the key on?

 

Dealers are dumb. Hahaha

 

The only other thing I can think of is a weak fuel pump. If you have someone lightly tap on the fuel tank while you crank it over and it decides to start, you need to replace your fuel pump.

 

Winner winner, chicken dinner. Your P0102 is preventing your engine from starting. It is probably an intermittent code, but that would cause your problem of cranking but not starting.

 

Idk about that bamatoy. Iv only run across that happening a few times. Not saying it can't happen. But seems like generally all it does it cause an engine light.

 

The Toyota vehicle line use MAF to determine engine operation. They no longer use speed density, which is calculated. Therefore when a MAF sensor has a current failure, showing either excessively low voltage, (P0102) or excessively high voltage, (P0103) then the computer has no way of knowing how much air is flowing into the engine. Since the ECU uses this information to calculate fuel timing, and appropriate fuel:air ratio, then the engine will not start and run. Try it. Disconnect your MAF sensor and start your truck. It will either not start, or it will start one time, then will not start after that.

 

So what do I do about that?? Sounds like it's not the MAF sensor itself? Or would replacing that help?

Problem I have now is I don't have much confidence in the truck...so I'm leery about driving it for fear it not starting up and leaving me stranded again (or worse yet, my wife or kids).

Is there something I could do, such as if it won't start again...clear the code and see if it fires up?

 

You have to get the problem diagnosed, unless you want to throw money at it in the hopes that you get it right. It's not easy, but it can be done. Basically you have to check the continuity of all the wires to the MAF from the ECU. If you verify that all the wiring is good, then the problem would be in the sensor. Now that being said, the MAF sensor is one that is commonly fixed by a good cleaning. You can get a can of MAF cleaner at the parts store, and follow the directions on the can. Simple attempt at a fix with the least cost to get started.

 

Soooo my truck is fixed...

First off. Thanks everyone for their post's. This is why I love this forum.

It was the key.

After we drove it home, I turned it off, then tried to start it again...fired right up

Several hours later I get in it to drive somewhere, turn the key, cranks...no start.

Frustrated I just sat there when I noticed the flashing anti-theft light that goes away when the key is in the ignition, was still flashing. I went back in the house...grabbed the other key..put it in the ignition...flashing light goes out...truck fired right up.

The bad key was a clone I had made at Walmart about two years ago. Always worked in the past. I guess it just died.

 

Well interesting there. I had thought that the 2nd gen anti-theft system wouldn't even let the engine crank if it was tripped.

 

Yesterday my truck wouldn't start (first time ever). Cranked it 3 or 4 times before it threw a P0102. Couple more attempts to start and no luck. For kicks I tried shifting to neutral and it started. Not sure to check the MAF or the key!