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2008 Tacoma Cranks, Starts, and Immediately Dies

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by kcward, Dec 26, 2024.

  1. Dec 26, 2024 at 3:03 AM
    #1
    kcward

    kcward [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2024
    Member:
    #462951
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    2
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    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD
    Hi all, as the title suggests I am having some issues with my tacoma. Its a 2008 4L TRD off road. It will crank and most of the time even start but then dies after about half a second. This is the second time that this has happened to me.

    The first time this happened, I bought the truck when after it had been sitting for about a year. I couldn't get it to start, I didn't have a dedicated battery for the truck so when working on it I would swap my Lexus SUV battery into it. After fiddling with it for several days I got the truck its own battery and left it connected to the battery overnight for the first time. I came out the next morning and it started with no issue. Because leaving the battery connected overnight seemed to fix the issue I assumed that after sitting without power for so long the ECM needed to be connected to the battery for an extended period to cycle/ reset

    the truck started up fine for the next couple of weeks. I needed to change some brake components and had to wait several weeks for shipping (I live in Hawaii and shipping is crazy here). Because of this I decided to disconnect the battery to avoid any residual draw on it which might result in a dead battery. After completing the brake job I changed the oil and cleaned and re-oiled the TRD cold air intake filter the previous owner had installed. I hooked the battery back up and the same crank, start, and die issue came back. left it connected overnight as this seemed to fix it before and still wont start.

    I've racked my brain trying to figure it out. I troubleshooted the MAF by unplugging it and trying to start the truck with no change, same with the throttle position sensor. I am able to get it to start/ run with starting fluid for several seconds but I dont have a buddy to spray it while I am turning over the engine so my testing with that is limited. I believe the crank position sensor is functioning because when it does run for .5-1 second the tachometer jumps up. I confirmed the fuel pump is working by jumping the "circuit open" relay which allowed me to audibly hear the fuel pump with the key in the on position. I thought it could be an immobilizer issue resulting form disconnecting the battery for an extended period of time, I found some posts here that recommended leaving the battery disconnected for thirty minutes and then reconnecting it and trying to start it, which didn't work. I also tried jumping the #4 and #13 pins in the OBDII port with the key in the ignition in the on position for 30 minutes which according to some other posts is supposed to reset/make the immobilizer relearn the key chip, this also didn't work. The red car with a key light (i'm guessing its a security light) under the sterio flashes every few seconds, but turns off when the key is in the on position as well as when the key is in the start position when I am cranking the engine over, which from my understanding is how it is supposed to function. I've also cleaned off every ground connection I can find. I dont really know where else to go from here.

    Any advice is appreciated!

    (Edit) the truck has 94 thousand miles, it has gas, the battery is good, and there are no codes.
     
    Last edited: Dec 26, 2024
  2. Dec 27, 2024 at 3:18 AM
    #2
    kcward

    kcward [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 26, 2024
    Member:
    #462951
    Messages:
    2
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2008 Tacoma TRD
    (Update) I confirmed fuel pressure is good, after doing so I disconnected the fuel rail along bank 1 to determine if the fuel injectors were delivering fuel. Cranked the car with the fuel rail disconnected and there is no fuel coming from the injectors, when the truck does start for the .5-1 second that it does they do spray fuel but only once. This leaves me with an immobilizer/ security system issue or possibly the crank or cam position sensors. I checked both cam position sensors for ground on the sensor and 5v constant power from the battery both are good. I would like to test their functionality by back probing them while holding a piece of metal in front of the sensor but I am hesitant to damage the connector/ wiring. I am thinking of taking the immobilizer and my key to the Toyota dealership to see if they will confirm the immobilizer recognizes the key/ chip although I am unsure if they are able to do a bench test of the immobilizer so to speak without the truck physically at the shop. I would like to avoid paying to get it towed if possible. Any advice or other things I should check first?
     
  3. Dec 27, 2024 at 7:23 PM
    #3
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2015
    Member:
    #150066
    Messages:
    13,580
    Gender:
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    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2014 DC OR 6spd 4x4
    Predator tube steps, Ranch Hand grill guard, Magnaflow CatBack exhaust, Toyota tool box & bed mat, 2LO Module by @Up2NoGood, Rearview Compass/Temp Mirror, Tune by @JustDSM.
    If the security light next to the clock goes out with the key on then it's happy with the key.

    Cam and Crank sensor signals can only effectively be checked with an oscilloscope although they will typically set codes.

    I'd want to put a fuel pressure gauge on it and see what the pressure is and if it holds with the key off.
     
    TnShooter likes this.

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