2021 brand new Tacoma doesn’t start on 1st try

I think I get what the OP is saying. I have a 2021 SR DCSB and does a "similar" thing. It isn't that they won't start on the first try, it's that it takes longer than most cars to start when you turn the ignition. Ironically my diesel F-250 starts faster than my Tacoma as well as does my 2016 Civic. I am so used to not having to hold my tumbler forward that long when I start my Tacoma, I still instinctively release it too early thinking it will have started. The second time I turn the tumbler, it fires right up. Definitely not anything wrong with the truck, just part of a Tacoma. After getting my Tacoma, my next door neighbor got a 2021 SR5 ACLB and asked me if I noticed how much longer the Tacoma's take to start up. He noticed it as well. Again - nothing wrong with the truck, just have to get used to holding the key longer.

 

Get a new battery and see what happens, if the truck still does not start on the first crank. You will still have a new battery. Keep the old battery for when you trade the truck in.

 

I actually toyed with the idea of moving to a 4Runner, since the only reason I need the truck is to be able to tow. The 4Runner will tow what I need, so I was poking around online looking at inventory and the value of my truck. The wife walks by while I was doing that, stops and looks at me and says "don't even think about it unless you're ready to sleep in it". That was the end of that.

 

I do not know the specifics of the fuel injection system on a Tacoma and it has been a long time since I have been involved with fuel injection systems, but I would expect there to be a check valve that maintains fuel pressure in the system so it does not bleed down. Also when the key is turned to the on position a relay usually triggers a few seconds of fuel pump activation. Additionally it may have a pre-pump at the fuel tank that primes they main fuel pump that would be activated when the key is on for a few seconds.

As far as holding the key in the start position, I have a habit of not doing that and would not be ready to accept a vehicle that required "How long are you holding the key to the "start" position" if longer time is needed.

Does anyone know if the Tacoma fuel system maintains fuel pressure overnight when not running. I would be curious what the cold start process is for the engine, I assume it has an increased enrichment and increased idle speed feature.

 

Not all vehicles have a computer system that automatically runs the starter until the vehicle is started. I was always taught to keep the key turned until the engine starts. I've never had a vehicle not start on me that wasn't related to something else.

 

Welcome to the forum .

"...it didn't start on the first try when I turned the key over."
I assume that you mean the starter motor cranked the engine as expected but the engine did not start and continue to run?

Question: How long (measured in seconds) are you holding the key in the crank position? Are you holding the key in the crank position until the engine starts or only as long as you think it should take to start?

Section 4.2 of the owners manual cautions "...do not crank the engine more than 30 seconds at a time..." Implying that up to 30 seconds of continuous cranking would fall under "normal usage" of the starter. Note: If the truck routinely took 30 seconds of continuous cranking to start that would indicate a problem and not fall under normal operation.

You can't fairly compare a 1997 vehicle to a 2021 and yes, I have had many older vehicles that started with literally "a flick of the key".

 

The fuel line indeed holds pressure overnight. The check valve is in the in tank pump/sender, which is the only pump. These pumps DO NOT prime unless the engine is cranking. You will hear nothing if you turn the key to the "on" position.

 

Just hold the key in ACC position for a second or 2 to allow the fuel pump to prime and all the sensors to register with the ECU. God, I would hate be a dealership tech these days.

 

DI injectors only are active at higher RPMs not at start from what I understand.

 

Me either

 

See comment above

 

Maybe

 

Go drive your truck

 

On the other two try just clicking the key forward, like you are tapping a button.

my guess is those other two have essentially “push to start”, with a key. My guess is both of them will run the starter until they start regardless of how long you “hold” the key. They likely fire up a little faster and also FEEL faster since no matter how short you hold they key they still start running.

 

Even if the pump doesn’t have to prime, all the sensors still have to come online. I’d be willing to bet at least one of those sensors has to do with the fuel pump/fuel pressure, so even if it has actual fuel pressure at all times, the sensor that detects fuel pressure may need a second to register with the ECU, as well as all the other sensors in the truck.

 

This was clearly a troll post.

 

Sounds more like OP isn't holding the key long enough or trolling. OP hasn't been back online since this was posted.

 

39 responses and no word from the OP! I wonder if the OP ever took anyone's advice. I must admit, I was not used to holding the key in the "start" position for so long when I first bought the truck.

 

OP clearly just needs more practice starting the truck.

I had a Tercel. Silver, 5 speed, dark tint, gray cloth, and 5 spoke rims. I actually loved it. I have low expectations.