"Check Charging System" takes several tries to start up...

Just bought my dream truck last Friday and I've been noticing issues with starting it. It only happens on occasion, but it's super annoying! I understand the "Check Charging System" warning and check engine light is normal, but occasionally I have to try the ignition several times to get a turnover. I have tried a few different things: clutch fully pressed to the floor, clutch 90%, in gear, in neutral, e-brake on/off, turn ignition off then back on. Not sure what is going on when that happens... Eventually it will start and everything seems fine. This does not happen only on cold starts. Any ideas?

 

have them check the battery, it may not be fully charged or one of the cells are dead. Happens.

 

Is that something I could do at O'Reillys/Napa or do I have to go to the dealer? I'm two hours away from the dealership.

 

Is there any dealership close by? It does not have to be the one you purchased from, its a warranty issue since you just bought the truck.
But yes, any autopart store can do a test on it, but then you would have to buy the battery and try to get reimbursement from Toyota.

 

Auozone can do it too

 

Check the battery connections. Loosen them, twist them, then re-tighten.

 

Closest Toyota dealership is a little over an hour away. I live in the boonies! It's just an inconvenience to go there if I don't have to.

 

Bad battery is my guess.

 

It could be one of two things, or both. As a 2018 it probably sat on the lot for awhile (1) and the Johnson Controls batteries are not always that great (2). They should have tested the battery on delivery. That's what my dealer did, but I've replaced mine with an Odyssey sealed battery.

 

Go to auto parts store and have them check the battery. If it’s bad call the dealer & take it in.

 

As already stated. Have the battery checked first. Any number of your local auto parts stores can do it for you.
If it tests bad you will have to decide to take to dealer or handle it on your own.
Good luck!

 

Thank you all, I will post again with results. Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Don't know if this is your first Tacoma or not, if it is one thing I had to adjust to when I bought my first in 02 was getting used to the clutch sensor. I came from Honda manuals none of witch had a sensor that stopped it from starting without the clutch fully engaged. So i was used to cheating a bit by not having the clutch completely to the floor. On Tacomas with a manual you have to completely put the pedal to the floor for the truck to start.

Don't know if that's what's happening in your case but for me I had to adjust with my first one.

Congrats on the truck by the way, and Happy Thanksgiving.

 

It very well could be user error on my part. I've heard the floor mats can sometimes obstruct the clutch, so I will be mindful of that this weekend and take it in on Monday if the problem persists. Thank you for your reply and Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

If you are unsure about how far you are pushing the pedal in try the Clutch Cancel Switch and see if it starts that way.

 

I haven’t had any problems starting the truck, but my wife complained about this issue. The only problem was she wasn’t giving it enough time to catch. Once she let the starter do its job, the truck started fine for her. I think she was used to her WRX and expected the truck to start the same.

 

I had the same problem about a year ago. Turns out it was a bad battery. Dealer tested it and replaced it

 

I am now convinced it was just user error, thank God! I have been diligent with pushing the clutch all the way to the floor to start my truck and it has worked every single time! Thank you all for your input, you saved me a trip to the dealership!