09 Taco cranks but won't start

My truck is an 09 V6 Tacoma quad cab 4x4. This truck has had a starting gremlin all winter and now this spring. The stealership had no clue what it is or two other shops.
The truck will start sputter and die. You can then crank the thing forever and it will never start. It cranks great. Turn the key off and crank again it will usually fire or even run for a second but then it dies. I pulled a spark plug and it has spark at first when it fires but then then no spark. Cycle the key it will spark a few times then nothing. It will start again 100% of the time if I unplug the battery and plug it back in. It will do this whole not start thing sometimes two three times and sometimes not for a whole month. Warm or freezing. The security key indicator does not come on. It doesn't make a difference if I use a different key. It never does it on the first start of the day. No codes or check engine light ever.
Any ideas?? I am a good mechanic but only on airplanes so if there are any gurus here I would love some ideas.

 

The security key doesn't illuminate at all? When the condition happens do you have fuel pressure at all? If you have neither, I would suspect a bad immobilizer. If you get no gas I would suspect bad fuel pump. Given how shit our fuel pumps are, I would actually suspect a bad pump before a bad immobilizer, but lets not rule anything out here just yet.

 

Nope the security key does not illuminate. Even tried swapping keys during the problem and it didn't help. Toyota thought immobilizer but thought the security key would be illuminated for sure if that was the issue.
I originally thought fuel pump but I can hear it run every time I turn the key on. Maybe I should install a fuel pressure gauge to help trouble shoot it.
Thanks 12trdtacoma

 

Start by checking the coil packs. Are they all securely connected? Any bad ones? The symptoms you describe are like having a bad coil pack. I'd go with fuel pressure second. Has it been sitting for any length of time?

 

I wouldn't think it's a coil pack issue. Even with one out, it will trigger a check engine light for misfire. Sounds like a fuel issue.

 

You're right but the symptoms are the same as if one had failed.

 

I would think a bad coil pack wouldn't be an intermittent problem and wouldn't clear up from a battery disconnect?

Here is a video of the start issue.
https://youtu.be/ZKfPgMkpr0Y

Video of it starting after battery disconnect.
https://youtu.be/FDHI5gGtjFw

 

Does the security light come on with no key in the ignition? Do you have a remote start installed? If yes, remove it then recheck. If not, you need a scan tool that will show immobilizer status when cranking.

 

Thinking you need the Toyota scan tool (or equiv).

 

Did you get this resolved? What'd it turn out to be if you did?

 

my 09 has done this for years but never did find the cause if i take the key out and wait a few mins it will start and run fine never had to disconnect the battery

 

The security light does come if the key isn't in so I know the lights are not burnt out.
It doesn't have auto start or a security system and never has.
I looked at the coil packs and they are connected but other then that
I tried to tap into the fuel fitting to check fuel pressure but it's pretty tough to get to the banjo fitting. I want to check the pressure and see if it's low pressure and no spark at the same time. Sounds like if that's the case it's definitely the immobilizer.
The immobilizer is pretty darn expensive so I want to be sure that's the problem.

Say the fuel pump is going out and the engine sees low fuel pressure. Will that kill the ignition as well?

 

I'm not sure I'd be on the pressure wagon anymore. It will run.

Do you have access to something that will read codes like the Toyota reader will? Did you try taking the key out as was suggested above?

Gotta say, I think the dealer should be able to test the immobilizer and confirm that for you.

 

also is yours a standard or auto i use the clutch over ride button in mine alot and always thought it may be related to that. but like i said about with it does this take the key out and wait a min and see if it will start and run fine then. that's what works on mine

 

It did it again today. Pulled the key out and did nothing for two minuets and it fired right up. What does that mean? Anyways that's less of a pain then unplugging the battery every time. Thanks for that tip.
Hopefully the dealer can look at it this week and see if there is an issue on the reader.
It is an auto. The torque converter is going out as well and likes to lock up but that's a whole different problem I hope.

 

I'm not sure what that means. but mine did again yesterday took the key out for a min or two and it fired right up. last time it did it was about 3 months ago if you even get it figured out let me know as it does not do it enough for me to figure it out. it kinda acts like its getting flooded.

 

Hi all, same truck and same problem. Took to the dealer and they could not find the issue. If there are any updates on the above, I would greatly appreciate. Happened to me again 15 minutes ago. Waited a while and it finally decided to start. Annoying

 

Did anyone ever solve this problem?
I have same issue

 

I am currently having the same issue. I disconnect the battery. Wait about 30 seconds and then reconnect it. So far it starts and runs normal after this. I did notice before disconnecting battery that there is a noise like an electrical pump running under the hood on the driver side. It went away after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery. Otherwise it seems like it is not getting gas. Anyone else notice anything?