2009 Taco weird stalling incident

Took my 2009 v6 4x4 to the grocery store this am. 10 minute drive (cold engine). Parked it for 15 minutes and then started it. Started but stalled in a few seconds. Engine cranked but wouldn't start. Waited 10 minutes. Started again but then stalled after a few seconds. Called my wife to pick me up. Started again when she arrived 15 minutes later but stalled again with a POOFing sound. She took me home. I was getting ready to call the tow truck but decided to ride my bike back to grocery store and try one more time. 45 minutes had passed. Started right up and did not stall. Drove home with no incident. I have started it throughout the day with no problems. Since I take my Taco to the middle of nowhere, frequently, I do not want to be left stranded. Any ideas what happened?

History:
Had just returned from a 4k mile road trip. Drove straight home 17.45 hours of straight driving (with gas fill ups).
Filled it up at a Petro Center 60 miles from home, the night before stalling (85 octane, normal for my state Colorado).
Had the county emission test the day before. I'm not sure what they do? This seems like a weird coincidence???

100k miles on Taco. I do my own oil changes, oil filters, lube propeller shaft, etc. Have not done any of the other recommended maintenance.

Ideas?
Thanks in advance.

 

I could be the fuel pump resistor, if it stalls soon after starting.
It could be failing once it gets warm.

Does it do this all the time?
On a cold start, or warm start?

 

I'd say it was warm. Drove for 10 minutes. Off for 15 minutes and then died after 2 seconds when started. It would restart, for 2 seconds, after waiting for about 10 minutes. After 45 minutes, started and ran with no problem. It started with no problem after I got home too. Can I change the fuel pump resistor myself? I'm pretty handy and do all the scheduled maintenance myself. Thanks!

 

Sounds like fuel pump

 

Would it just start working again after failing? Would it throw a check engine light? (It hasn't yet). It's running fine again, is that normal with a bad pump? Many thanks!

 

The resistor is easy to change and check.
It’s on the front of the truck.
A lot of guys unplug the resistor and place a jumper wire in the connection.
If the the truck runs, it’s the resistor.

@Jimmyh


https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2014-tacoma-starts-but-cuts-of-second-or-two-later.538460/

 

This doesn't (IMO) fit in with a failing fuel pump. An engine stalling from lack of fuel, at least in my experience just stalls. No idea what's involved in your emissions test, but I can't imagine it's related. I would do a check for pending codes though, see if there are any clues there.

 

always be wary of last human interaction ( not knowing what they did )

fuel filter or fuel tank aint venting

good luck

 

Thanks!

 

Thanks tirediron.

 

Isn’t the Tacoma 87 gas and up?

 

Thanks RoadDog. Yes, it was a very odd inspection. I had to go thru twice due to them failing me for a check engine light, which was really just the change oil light (I hadn't reset it after my last oil change a few weeks ago). I did notice her fiddling with my gas cap. Maybe she didn't put it back on correctly???

 

I think in Colorado (elevation 5k), it can run on 85. That's what everyone uses out here.

 

octnae unless inder extreme load would not create these symptoms

 

Yeah, no load.

 

Yes it is easy, just in front of the battery with one plug connection.

All it does is shift between fast ( no resistor ) and slow ( with resistor ) depending on engine load as commanded by the ECU and the Fuel Pump Relay.

It is safe to unplug it and jumper the terminals across and the fuel pump will run fast all the time. I wouldn't run full time like this however.

 

i have to ask. ................

did not the TOYOTA dealership offer a test drive

folks rabidly compare the Tacoma to the for F150

cant imagine

a mid size vs full sized pickup

 

Yeah red flag.... confusing the change oil light with check engine light. Lol.

 

The Tacoma is not an F150
The F150 is not a Tacoma.
That’s as far as I’d go with a comparison.

The question that needs to be asked is,

“What are you planning to use your truck for?”

 

Thanks @Jimmyh

I’m working on getting a laptop.
PITA doing all this with an IPad, or phone.