crank but no start, $800 spent so far

My friend has a 2013 Tacoma V6 that has a "crank but no start" issue. She came to me after the repair shop replaced her fuel pump and then the starter. Both times the truck ran ok but next day would not start.
Over $800 so far in repairs and facing another tow charge to take it to the shop. So, I offered to help by researching the issue here on TW and elsewhere. I offered her the YouTube video I found of some guy resetting the ECU with a paper clip and 30 minutes of KOEO. The truck started immediately afterwards and the ECU reprogrammed itself over a short period of rough idle. She showered me with praise and did errands in the truck. But, next morning "crank but no start." There is definitely a pattern here. Any suggestions? The battery seems fine, cranking power seems normal, CEL is on with KOEO.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/help-truck-cranks-but-wont-start.498904/page-2
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-will-crank-but-wont-start-help.585604/

here’s a couple of threads about this.. seems there’s a few known problems

 

First off see if the security light next to the clock is flashing with the key on when the truck won't start.

 

- no security light

- the fact that it started and ran after the new fuel pump and again after the new starter and again after the ECU reset seems to rule out lots of issues.

- From all the suggestions and threads, I am going to investigate maxtherat's suggestion to check the crankshaft position sensor or its cable.
thanks.

 

Check the IB1 connector behind the left kick panel for burnt pins.

 

its quite possible the "new" fuel pump is bad. Also bypass the fuel pump resistor / fuel pump relay to take those out of the equation.

 

Sounds like it's still got a fuel pump issue.

 

Agree; a faulty fuel pump definitely sounds like a candidate.

1. Next time the truck won't start, use something to tap (firmly, but gently) on the fuel pump, or as close to it as you can get. If the truck starts...

2. Assuming the truck doesn't start (I've never had any luck with the 'tap the fuel pump' method, but it can't hurt to try, then backprobe the connector and check for power on crank.

3. If there's power to the pump, but no start, check fuel pressure... if FP = 0, call the fuel pump.