No crank, No start in the cold

I have a 2004 Tacoma 4cl 2.7 L.

I’m having trouble starting the truck in the cold mornings, later on in the day when it warms up, it starts fine. I’ve changed the starter, starter relay, and the battery. This morning I had a no crank and no start again and I tested the starter when it wouldn’t crank via putting a wire on the relay port and the starter was engaging.

Every now and then I can get it to start in neutral when it’s cold. Someone said it may be the neutral safety switch but I don’t know where that’s located. The other part mentioned was the ignition switch but I read that it would have issues turning the engine off etc. that hasn’t happened. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Automatic transmission I assume? A couple questions for clarity, in a no start scenario, you insert key in ignition and turn it, do you get any sound at all? A click? Nothing at all?

 

Correct, it’s an automatic 4cl. Yes when I turn the key there is no sounds. Lights are on and the battery is almost new with great charge over 12V with 680 CCA

 

My vote is also with a switch somewhere. It gets cold and the switch may be losing proper contact to send a signal to the starter, especially if you are not hearing any clicks or other efforts made by the starter to start the truck.

 

Are the battery cables and terminals clean and tight? You grab each cable and try to wiggle or move it but it's nice and TIGHT?

Does the tranny shifter seem to have a bit of play or seem loose?

 

I have cleaned the terminals and they are tight. Didn’t check the trans shifter, but seems to be working properly

 

Do you have an immobilizer security system?

 

Negative.

 

alternator?

 

I don’t think so because I’m not having a voltage drop on my battery when it’s running.

 

maybe get it load tested.

 

It's acting the same as it did in the beginning of the issues? After replacing the starter and the battery, the problem is the same? Nothing has improved or changed, right?
You have a DMM? Gonna have to see where your losing juice with the voltmeter o,r power sensing screwdriver light thing, as it goes through the circuit.
When the no start is going on, does jiggling the key in the ignition affect anything? This would be if the ignition tumbler itself was having issues.
If you had play in the shifter, the switch there might not be aligning correctly and so the ECU doesn't think it's in park and so won't let it start. Sometimes moving the shifter can help confirm that neutral switch is having issues. Next no start engage the little neutral safety switch by the shifter and then try starting it.

 

Yeah, since replacing all the parts I never get the truck to start in the morning. The only common factor is the cold so I assume that’s it. This problem is been going on for almost 2 years it only happens in the winter time. Like I said, every now and then in the neutral position it’ll start but there are no sounds or anything when I turn the key.

I have a multimeter but I’ve only checked the battery and starter connections. I don’t know where the neutral safety switch is located, I had one mechanic say that’s what he thought it was, but it’s a pretty expensive part for me to buy and try. I can’t return it either since it’s an electronic part.

 

Thanks, I appreciate the additional info. As much info as you can share is always the best help for us on the other side of it.
For kicks and giggles swap the 15A efi fuse under the hood with a new one or just swap it with one there in the fuse box.

 

something else to read... https://www.toyotanation.com/threads/removing-and-cleaning-the-neutral-start-switch.245436/

 

I was looking for this to post here also! I see my problem, I was searching for it here on TW. Thought it was in here. Glad you got it