Engine starting and turning off immediately

So I tried to sell my 2008 Tacoma today I’ve had it for about 3 years and it’s always ran perfect. The guy gets in turns the key and it started up and died immediately, happened 3 more times then I tried to get it started. Kept turning off immediately and sometimes it would just crank and wouldn’t fire up at all. I tried giving it some throttle and that seemed to do nothing. After about 15-20 minutes it finally started and then it was fine. Intake is good and fuel pump was running, any ideas of what this could be?

 

Possibly the Fuel Pump Resistor.
IIRC, the resistor is by passed on starting and under high load or demand.
The resistor is used while idling and under light or demand.

If it starts and dies, and no codes are present, you could look there.
Also, try running the truck a little hard, like 3,500 rpm or more.
See if you have a loss of power. For example, as when passing some one.


There could have been a number of other reasons, but this was one of the first things I thought of when I read the post. Especially if you have no codes showing currently?

 

I think your Tacoma was getting separation anxiety because you're trying to get rid of him. I say, just keep him and get a second car.

 

This sounds immobilizer related to me

 

Do you have a chip in your key? Try the valet key. Had this happen in our 2010 Tacoma. Wife was amazed I was so smart.

ETA: Just saw you got it running. Probably not chip in key. Carry on!