2003 Tacoma won't start.

Hi everyone,

I'm dealing with a 2003 that has the 3.4 v6, automatic, and 4 door. TRD. picture a loaded 4x4 just in case that matters.

So I'm driving my dad's truck right now. Long story. He's had it since 2007 and it hit 100k miles around 2 weeks ago. Pretty nice truck but not his daily which is why I'm using it right now.

At any rate, it won't start. I have replaced the battery with a good quality new one( old one was nearly 10).

The lights all flash when I turn the key. Not the idiot lights, but like the climate, radio, and gauge backlights. They do this in sync and make a clicking noise. Only The front left parking light flashes outside when it does this. The little red light by the clock flashes too, even when the key is in and turned.

The last time it started was Sunday. Monday it cracked slowly (chugging), clicked a little bit, and no more. Then the lights started doing their thing. Battery was replaced tonight. Still has the lights and won't even try to crank.

It does have a remote starter but that was the last owners and hasn't been used in 13 years. Just in case that matters.

I'm thinking either bad starter motor or some kind of weird computer thing. If anyone can point me in the right direction I would greatly appreciate it. I have basic hand tools and a multimeter.

 

Motor spinning? Sound like it wants to start but won’t? Or just dead?

 

Engine does not spin at all. Just totally dead when I try to crank it. The electronics work, like the radio and map lights. And the flashing starts. Aside from laboured starts recently it's been great until now.

 

Sounds stupid, but you check the battery?? Just because stuff starts up doesn’t mean it’s not done. Radio and all will still run. Sounds like the cranking amps are low. I would start there

 

I gave it a brand new battery assuming that would solve the problem. It tested 12.66 volts before I put it in. Nothing changed, except now the accessories are brighter.

Probably needed that anyway, old battery was almost 10 years old.

 

Yeah, then maybe a bad starter, how do all the connections look?? Get under the truck and tap the starter and see what happens . I’ve been able to make this work a couple times, and at that point you will at least know what it is

 

Thanks, I'll give that a try in the morning.

Anyone know about the flashing dashboard and parking light or is that just what they do to alert to these sorts of problems?

 

Likely starter contacts. Watch some youtube videos on Toyota starter contacts and see if it aligns with your issue.

 

did the alarm get triggered

 

That's another possibility. I'll try messing with the starter, does anyone know how to check or reset whatever anti theft this truck came with? I tried leaving the key in on for 10 minutes but that didn't do anything.

 

I believe if the little anti theft thing is blinking, the truck ignition may not be recognizing the key. Do you have a spare key?

 

Smack the starter solenoid box sharply a few times. It can be accessed from the passenger wheel well. This should knock any stuck contacts or carbon loose to let the solenoid actuate. My 2004 will hang up on this from time to time.

 

the lights flash? that sounds like it has an aftermarket alarm and its killing ignition because of the new battery

 

disconnect the battery, Put the key in the ingiton turn the key to ON. Reconnect the battery and see if it'll start from there.


i literally just dealt with this last night on my fathers 02


i just read the remote start. that is most likely your issue.

 

With the key on, do the accessories work, like radio, wipers, etc? If the alarm theory turns out to not solve it, I am wondering if your ground cable is bad.

When you hold the key to start, do you notice any difference in the behavior of those systems, like do the light get dimmer, or stop flashing?

 

I delt with something similar this week. Monday went to go to work, and *click*, lights and radio work fine, but truck wouldn’t start. Tried jumping it, tried charging the battery, tried a different battery, no dice.
Pulled the starter and took it to the local autozone so they could bench test it. Tested fine. Took it back home, reinstalled it, and the truck started first try.
Little confusing, but I figure the connection on the starter may have been gunked up.
I’d get under the truck and double check the connections to the starter.

 

The accessories all work. The headlights do not get dimmer when trying to crank. I do not hear anything from the starter motor.

Tried the key on, connect battery cables. Nothing. At this point, I think it has to be some kind of immobilizer, sequrity, or the Remote starter. Any ideas for how to tackle those?

 

Anyone have this red light on the left of the steering wheel? It blinks when the truck has power regardless of the key is in.

Or is it aftermarket?

 

Yeah. Be thankful that the horn ain't going off like mine did when changing the battery. It's the alarm. Gotta find out what one it is and there is a web site that tells you the procedure to get it started. i'll look.

 

https://itstillruns.com/reset-maintenance-light-toyota-corolla-7182461.html