New member with Tacoma mystery

Hi everyone. I have a 2008 manual transmission, 6 cylinder, Tacoma that I dearly love. however last night when I got in it and tried to start it absolutely nothing ! the lights work the radio came on but not even a click when I turned the key. Cleaned up the battery terminals and the ground checked all the fuses that might be related to it they were all good, plugged in my code reader which went through all the systems said they were all good and there were no codes. I'm suspicious of the clutch sensor switch being the culprit. Any input or ideas would be appreciated thanks

 

Welcome!

Have you checked the battery? It could have enough umpf for the lights and radio but not enough for the starter..

Otherwise, seems reasonable to look at the sensor.

Good luck

 

Welcome aboard!

 

Is there a neutral safety switch on that model? Look under the clutch pedal for it on the firewall.

 

Does that have a clutch bypass switch or am I thinking about older trucks?

 

Thanks guys

 

Just because fuses look good, doesn’t mean they are. Is anything else not working (lights, horn, etc.)? I’d also check the relays

 

You should be able to bypass the switch. Just unplug the connector and use a wire to bridge both wire pins together.

Also im not sure how toyota does it. But if they use some kind of plastic stopper to press the switch. Check and see if its broken down has its aged

 

Was going to mention the stopper until I looked up the Toyota part and noticed it looked completely different from neutral switches I have seen in the past. If it does have a stopper, plastic carpet rivets make good replacements.

 

In my case, the 'no-click' was caused by the Toyota security system when my battery was completely dead - I have an 05 with the factory alarm. This link walks through the reset https://itstillruns.com/disable-factory-toyota-alarm-7440586.html
1. Key in ignition
2. Turn from Run to Off 5 times (Acc to Run)
3. Full turn to start -- you should hear the click and start if you've charged your battery

good luck!

 

Welcome!

 

My clutch switch was going out, most times it would start. Sometimes I’d press the clutch, turn the key, nothing, release and press clutch again it would start. Occasionally I’d have to release and press 7x or so. Tested the switch, high resistance closed. So I pulled the relay and bypassed it. I’d check this first.

If it’s not the clutch switch it could possibly be the starter. Usually they’ll begin showing symptoms, click and no start. Try again it starts. It’s rare but I’ve seen them not show symptoms then suddenly not work. If you turn the key to start and your dash lights dim, power is getting to the starter.

You could try this. Need a second person. 1 in the cab, 1 under near the starter. Turn and hold the key to start. TAP the starter, if it starts it’s time to replace the starter. Tap, don’t beat the crap out of it. I have a super long chisel, sometimes I can get it from the top using the non sharp end. The goal is to tap, not break the starter off, seen that done.

 

I should add this. Bypassing the clutch switch is simple. But some mechanics or valet parkers will leave it in gear when they give it back to you. Remember to check your in neutral before starting. I like it like that, not having to press the clutch to start.

Find and remove the starter relay. You need a multimeter. There’s 4 pins on the relay. 2 are open. 2 will show resistance, these get power from the clutch switch and close the “other 2”. The other 2 is where you put a bypass in. I used about 1” of wire and 2 male spade connectors, put it in where the relay was. You can look at the relay to figure out exactly how long to make the wire, my first one was too short.

 

All manual transmission tacomas (i assume) have a "Clutch Start Cancel" switch. Turn the key to ON, press the switch (indicator light should illuminate) and turn the key to START.... if that works then your clutch switch at the pedal is bad.

Does the engine have any sort of oil leak that is hitting the starter. Thats the most common cause of starter failure I have seen. Gets all gunked up.

 

was going to suggest this also.

 

Wow, mine doesn’t have that light, or button.

 

I don’t think xrunners came with them. Easy enough to add though.

 

diagrams say only 4x4 models. It’s used for moving vehicle in low gear by using the starter motor, intended for use off road. All 3 of the black/yellow wires are in parallel and provide positive voltage to the start relay coil.

 

Some of the xrunner folks say they just needed the switch and the harness was already there behind a blank cover.

Don't know if this link will work?
https://www.customtacos.com/threads/clutch-start-cancel-button-install-on-2wd-taco-2005.58219/

 

Make sure your battery terminals are clean and tight