3rd gen Tacoma random hard start

Been having an issue for a few months now with a random hard start. Truck is a 2020 4x4 sport with 67,xxx miles. Truck will just crank and take a couple tries before it will start. No check engine light and whenever I get it started the truck smells like gas. Been to the dealer 3 times now and each time they turn me away because they “couldn’t replicate the issue” and there are no codes and no engine light. Leaning towards the fuel pump but want to hear if anyone had any similar issues? Biggest problem is it’s super random and sometimes will go weeks without skipping a beat but when it decides to act up, im stuck in a parking lot cranking over for a few minutes

 

Start taking a video everytime you start your truck, when you get a hard start recorded, show it to the dealer.

 

This is the video I gave the dealership when I dropped off the truck. They still couldn’t do anything about it‍♂️

 

Sorry having trouble attaching the video

 

Can’t say anything definitive based on only descriptions, but sounds similar to a failing crankshaft position sensor. Although usually they don’t keep limping along for very long, so that your issues are so spread out makes it more questionable.

 

Check Oxygen sensor and cranckshaft position sensor.

 

There was a fuel pump recall for your year which I also received and in the letter it says smell of gas is a sign of the failure. Your dealer should know this obviously, but you should get yours changed.

 

Can you elaborate on “will just crank and take a couple tries before it will start”?

 

It’s a push start so I’ll push the button to start the truck and I’ll let it crank for about 4-5 seconds before I push the button again to cancel. After about three tries the truck will start and run rough for a few second filling the cab with a gasoline smell. Then it will clear out and the truck will run fine. Forgot to say the truck runs normally and only has issues with starting

 

Here is info on the fuel pump recall. Your 2020 is covered for 10 years regardless of mileage.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10236191-9999.pdf

 

What happens if you wait longer before push the button to start?
Perhaps pump does not pressurize the line to a specific pressure. Easy to see with a scanner or obd2 apps
Startup uses both injection modes.

 

A gasoline smell suggests to me a rich fuel-air mixture.

 

Might wanna remove the Carburetor and make sure the floats aren't stuck.

 

Tacoma trucks never did have carburetors.

 

wut?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux

 

How old is the battery. I had a truck that would do this. Crank and crank and crank. Eventually it would start. The battery had the cranking amps but didn’t have the power to run the truck. Check the battery voltage while cranking. If it drops below 12 time for a new batt.

 

The battery only starts the engine. From then on, the alternator feeds the engine electricity. Once the engine is started, you could remove the battery and drive off.

Other examples of this are dirt bikes with kick starters, lawn mowers with pull starters, and manual transmission automobiles being push started.

 

yeah, if the battery is strong enough to turn the engine over then fuel or spark would be the most likely culprits if it won't start.

 

Mine used to drop below 11 and still start w/o hesitation.

 

I know earlier model of Toyota pickups had carburetors. But OP has 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4, get fuel injectors.