2009 Tacoma sometimes cranks well but won't start.

2009 Tacoma V6, 148K miles, On occasion, after the truck has been driven a bit then shut off, (motor still warm), when trying to re-start, the motor spins fine but it will not start. Sometimes it will start but only run for 3 or 4 seconds then die. If you sit for a couple minutes in between attempts, after about 5 or 6 attempts, it starts and runs fine.

I don't think it's ever done this when it was cold, just on a warm engine. It started doing this a couple years ago and it's very intermittent. It may do it a couple times one week then not again for 4 months?? I put new plugs in it a couple years ago when the problem started but that didn't seem to help.

I can only imagine it's electrical or computer in nature but I have no idea. I was hoping someone else has had this issue and could point me in the right direction on how to fix it.

Thanks for any replies.

 

Maybe it's the coils?

When it's happening I'd check for any trouble codes with a scan tool first.

If there aren't any than maybe pull each coil off and check they all have good spark. Intermittent ground causing bad / no spark from the heat cycling of the engine is my guess but I could be way off. You could also check with a multimeter.

 

Is the security light next to the clock flashing when it happens?

Any codes?

If no to both I'd want to have a fuel pressure gauge on it when it happens, it's possible the check valve in the fuel pump is going bad and allowing the fuel to boil out of the lines when the engine is hot.