Is my starter bad?

How often you gotta do that? I did it 1 year ago and the maf sensor.

 

We should really cut the crap here. If it is not starting after multiple attempts and the cranking sounds nice and strong, there are one of two potential issues occuring here.

- The fuel pump internal check valve is failing
- The fuel pump itself is failing to develop proper pressure to get you started or the pump is not working at all

You have a 2012 OP and these later gen 2nd gens have garbage fuel pumps. If you wait and take the thing for a spin it will die on you at a random light or at the most inconvenient of times. I promise you it will. It's not a matter of will or will not, it's a matter of when.

Time for a properly sized fuel pump retrofit.

Of course this post absolutely assumes that you have checked for spark when you have those no start issues.

 

often times its needed after disconnecting a battery. The throttle plate will return to its base idle position after reconnecting the battery, If there's mud (carbon) in the throttle bore it can inhibit airflow into the engine while cranking.

Next time it happens, lightly press the gas pedal and see if it starts

You may have a check valve issue in the fuel pump but i doubt the actual pump is failing. If the fuel pressure was lower than normal you would have lean codes and it would lack power

 

This is true. The first start after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery requires two starts in order for the computer to relearn proper values.

 

I've disconnected my battery a lot before my trip installing led lights and a cb and just to clean the terminals too.

 

It should relearn on its own but if there's crud in there it can take longer. Given the intermittent nature of the problem it may be worth a look. You did say you recently cleaned it though..

 

Cleaned the throttle body about a year ago

 

I'm thinking more like fuel issue, mainly the two possibilities that were recently mentioned.

Couldn't hurt to check spark too, but damn right I'm not looking starter or battery here.

 

Hit it with a hammer!!
How does one check for spark in motors that have coil packs? Not trolling, I have no idea how. No distributor, no spark plug wires. Bring back old school stuff for me.

 

@CurtB You use a tool like the

$15 Lisle 20610 Inline Spark Tester, One Size, Factory

Lisle 20610.

OP, next time the engine won't start, try priming the fuel pump by turn the key to the "on" position but don't crank the starter. Cycle this from off to "on" about three times, then crank on the forth time. If car starts, it's likely the fuel pump.

A bad coolant temperature sensor can also cause hard starts on warm engine.

 

This is not a valid test. These trucks only operate the fuel pump on cranking not on key on engine off like normal vehicles.

 

Same as the old spark plug wire way.

 

You're lucky, this is one of the better forums I've been on. You've received plenty of good answers. It's obviously not the battery or starter because it cranks and starts. If there was a spark issue it wouldn't start or it would sputter badly with a cylinder not firing. I'm in agreement with several others that it could be a fuel issue. Fuel pump, check valve, or maybe even a pressure regulator sticking since you mentioned smells rich. Intermittent issues are always tricky. Just start eliminating possibilities. You've already eliminated battery and starter. Once you have the borrowed fuel pressure gauge, you can eliminate that next. Depending how its connected, be careful. If the pressure is spiking it could blow the gauge off the hose spraying gas all over. Smells rich says its a possibility. If fuel pressure tests normal, don't let it frustrate you, move on to the next possibility, then next, then next. Be patient, eventually you'll say ah ha, found it.

 

This needs to be checked out^^^ sounds to me like the fuel pressure is bleeding off for some reason.

 

THIS

I was on the Chevy Colorado site prior to joining here and few if anyone would have good information, plus it was far less active. This is a great resource we all have

 

Just got a fuel pressure gauge from a guy at work. What should the gauge be reading?

 

Do you have the proper fittings to tee into the fuel line? These trucks don’t have a fuel pressure test port.

 

Try holding the key in the on position for a couple of seconds before starting it. It might be the anti theft system. I got in this habit a few years ago, when occasionally my truck would stumble on start up. I learned about this on TW, but I don’t remember what thread.

 

You serious Clark?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-check-fuel-pressure-w-pics.445975/

https://workshop-manuals.com/toyota.../system_information/specifications/page_3716/