2009 Tacoma randomly won’t run, dies after start up.

2009 had this issue for a year or more. 4.0 motor. Sometimes it only runs a few seconds when you start it. After 2-10 tries it will stay going and never have another hiccup. Might do it every day for a week then not do it for a month. It has been doing this for a year or more. I’m tired of it. Things I’ve done, tried both sets of keys. Same result. They changed the fuel pump. It didn’t change anything other than make my wallet lighter.


Here is a YouTube I made of it.
https://youtu.be/8WmW0dfvF6o

Any ideas?

 

When was the last time the spark plugs were changed?

 

This threat drew your attention too? Lol

Cound be any one of the relays going out.

 

Well yea sentenced le a good topic to discuss early in the morning.

I'm glad we are both thinking electrical though, like a corroded contact not being enough "spark" to keep it at idle.

OP is there any shudder or power loss after it's started? Also is it everytime you have to start the truck?

 

Could also be the MAF sensor going bad or a loose connection. Try getting electrical contact grease and putting that on the MAF and crank position sensor plugs. Or all connections you can easily access. Cheap and slight possibility

 

Looks like the check engine light is staying on, have you had someone read it?

 

When I disconnect the battery in my truck and then reconnect it, it does the same thing after start up. Immediately shuts off but then when you start it up again, it runs perfectly fine. I’ve heard this has to do with the computer resetting. So it def sounds like an electrical issue to me.

I'll bet this is an easy fix, but correctly diagnosing the issue will be a real bastard.

 

I think that’s the TPMS light

 

The tpms light is in the middle with the Speedo, the check engine light is over by the rpm gauge. Every time to guard goes down the light comes on. Ever if the light is not staying on, there still can be a code stored in the computer.

Cound be a sensor but I wound think it wound run rough or stay at idle if maf was bad.

Check the ecu relay. Maybe swap relays around and see what it does then

 

Let’s answer some questions.

Parts replaced

Spark plugs 100k I bought them at Toyota so I’d assume they were oem replacement. Don’t remember.

Replaced one of the upper o2 sensors at 80k. Used oem parts

Brakes pads at 115k

Fuel pump at 140k


Check engine light never stays on.
It never does it when it’s been running recently. Only when cold. Doesn’t do it every time. Just at random. It did it 2 times this week. Wife drove it for a week last month and it never happened.

Once it does start it’s normal, normal power normal everything.

Tpms light is on because the morons at tire barn don’t listen when I tell them the tpms sensors leak.

 

I have a scanner. Innova something. I’ve never been able to find anything in the computer.

Thinking back this has happened at extremely random since probably 50k. Maybe once a year. Once I got to 140k or so it started happening a lot more.

 

I think it's related to the computer. The suggestion above to replace the ECU relay is a great place to start.

 

Crank or cam sensor intermittent problem.

 

I had a similar issue with my old ranger where one of the wires from the battery wasn't seated correctly at the starter. i would say check all the ignition wiring (battery, starter, grounds...) i've also had an issue with a smaller ground coming off of the negative terminal falling out and into the engine bay so it would start if it was sitting on metal but if it broke free it wouldn't.

 

I'm no expert but it acts like a sensor or relay going out. The truck fires, ecu is waiting for info from sensor, doesn't receive it and shuts down. Although I assume that would throw a code.?. It's not spark plug or O2 sensor related. First thing I'd do is check the grounds and clean all connections. MAF gets dirty and should be cleaned anyways, there's a tutorial on here for it and don't spray the O-ring.

 

I have cleaned the maf before. I’ll get a relay.

 

Since there are no codes, seems like the ECU is detecting a normal shut off. Might be the ignition switch. Next time it is running, wiggle the key/ignition switch see if it shuts off.

 

I would replace Immobilizer / Transponder Computer (ECU).

 

Why are the speedometer and tachometer needs jumping when you turn the key?

 

Could be a wire in the steering column. Maybe notice if it does it more often when the steering wheel is turned one way Vs the other. Like try parking it one night with the wheels turned to the left then next night with wheels turned to the right, etc.