2011 tacoma studder start followed by engine knocking blinking maintenance light

Have had a little trouble firing in the mornings here in Seattle. Slight incline where I park, nothing really special.

Today I fired it up it shuddered a big then the check engine light started blinking and there was loud engine knock.

IT corrected itself and the check engine light went away. Dropped the kid at daycare hit o'reily's to get a reading and nothing was present.

Upon ignition the check engine light still blinks but never stays on.

Bad gas? Timing was off for some reason? Just changed the oil. Front drivers light is now burned out from this.

Ideas???? Thanks in advance.

 

When was last time the plugs were changed? My first area of concern would be bad plug or coil.

 

Sounds like your battery is on its way out. Check battery connections and grounds.

 

To clarify, Is it the Check Engine Light or the Maintenance Required Light?
The Maintenance Required Light will blink on starting 500 miles before it comes on solid due to Oil Change mileage. It blinks at 4,500 miles On start up, then goes out.
It then stays on after 5,000 miles after the last oil change.

Is it possible you didn’t see it blinking before?
Or maybe it just happens to be at the 500 mile mark when your issue happened?

 

I was just thinking the very same thing.

 

Thanks for the responses and yes for clarification blinking maintenance. Good call. Plugs will be picked up today. Battery is three years old and fluid is topped off inside. Start with plugs I think its been over 30K. I do the oil so it shouldn't blink unless its programmed in.

 

I think you can find the instructions for resetting the "maintenance" light in your owners manual. If not, just search YouTube. Pretty simple, and it takes about 10 seconds to perform. But change your oil first, then reset the light.

 

Thank you but I have that down I was just concerned about the misfire followed by this blinking light. Never heard the noise that came from the engine that day and the light has come and gone so maybe just a fluke. I have 94K miles. I will get the plugs. On a side not this forum has at least helped me identify the small leak from the timing cover. Sucks that I am out of warranty. I guess I will get a huge bill and get the belts and water pump done as well the next go round.

 

If you want to tackle the water pump yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFLp7kLH198

It might be more than you want to tackle yourself, but it should be something anyone can do themselves...if they want to dive into it. I noticed the guy didn't use a torque wrench on any of the bolts. That's a simple addition that shouldn't take very long. If you're doing the water pump, might as well do the thermostat. Definitely check your hoses in case they need replacement. They should be OK, but it doesn't hurt to check.

The serpentine belt is a piece of cake to change, and I did mine from the top in a few minutes. There are threads here that discuss that procedure, and some do it from the bottom.

 

My 05 did same thing without the knock a few times
Cleaned the MAF sensor and it cleared up

 

Tacofish I am thinking that is my next step. Nearly 100K never touched it. Can get a new one for $20 but I suppose I should have cleaned it more regularly in the first place. I will get some CRC cleaner and do mine and my wife's highlander. On a positive not I am ready for the plugs now. Replaced the headlight bulbs. Hope those gaskets are tight. Thank you all for your input. I am sure it's fine. I think it might all be a coincidence. The dealer did a big job at 83000 that my dumb ass didn't look over. No wonder the differential fluids were so clear. Oh well now I know how to do it and I have the parts and lexus front diff plug so it will be quick next time.