Tacoma Hard Start Finally Caught On Video

A year later I STILL LOVE your signature. By far the best on TW.

 

I have been tempted to change it, but certain unnamed have threatened me with physical violence if I changed it.

 

I've taken my 2009 into the dealer multiple times for this. I have fought it since day 1. I did notice when I was in the mountains in an underground parking garage that it did it every time I tried to start the truck. In 3.5 years and 100k miles, mine has probably done it 15-20 times.

 

My 2012 does this as well. More so now that is been quite cold (was -20 this morning).

 

I've had a few instances where I had to crank it excessively. Started fine this morning in -25 C. Very random.

 

of course I have no idea if it's related but a month or so ago, some kind of fuel cell sensor went out on mine, thankfully it is still under warranty.

 

sounds like water in fuel (condensation), it may happens if you tank is 1/4 full and with drastic change of temperature.

 

I'd have to say this is not the case, especially with me. My gas tank has never been less than half full when it happened.

 

Mine did it again this morning. Warmer day and tank was 3/4 full.

 

This^^^

Mine has done the same thing on occasion ( all 3 of mine have done it now that i think about it) and it's always when I'm in a hurry and go straight to the crank position without waiting a second. I think when you do that you completely bypass the window of time when the truck primes the fuel system and you get a no start condition.

 

But why does every other vehicle on the road not exhibit this problem? It's not a diesel, you shouldn't have to wait to start.

Besides, I've waited to start and still had hard starts. It is so random it is hard to say one way or the other.

 

I have to also disagree with the "priming" of the fuel system. I've never seen a new car which needed you to wait 5 seconds or whatever to start the car. That's why they have pressurized fuel systems. I've just never heard of any new car requiring that, at all. And besides, mine has done it with me waiting a few seconds to start it as well.

My best guess is that it has something to do with either the chip in the key randomly not connecting with the computer. However, it was very odd that it consistently wouldn't start in the situation I described earlier (high altitude, underground parking garage). Makes me wonder if it has something to do with the fuel system itself not staying pressurized?

 

Mine does this too every once in a great while. But my 05 subaru wrx did too.

 

I'd get it looked at, hard starting is one thing, but smoke is another and is never a good sign.

 

I've been subbed awhile and thought I would chime in.

I agree with 2011TacomaSR5 about the smoke. I have had a few tacos and other cars that have done it, in both warm and cold weather, high altitudes, etc. It happens at seemingly random times, but the only time that I can get it to happen consistently is when the relative humidity is above 65%. This has happened when I have been in Denver, CO and Louisville, KY. So I doubt it has much to do with region or altitude.

 

I would say that the smoke would be connected to the flooding of the engine. Another reason I do t think its the fuel pump not priming...

 

We had this happen to the IS and GS cars about 3 years ago brand new on the lot. It was a computer logic error, and the vehicles were trying to run extremely rich on start up and basically flooding. It helped to floor the gas pedal to get them to start. It took months to get a reflash approved after headquarters was aware of it because it takes forever to get approved through the EPA. I wouldn't be surprised if this is what is going on. A scan tool needs to be connected and data recorded to see what the injectors are doing on start up. If it were my truck I would try flooring the gas pedal when this problem arises. This will activate the clear flood mode to stop additional fuel. If the truck starts while doing this procedure, be sure to let off the gas as to not race the engine.

 

I think this is the most plausible explanation so far. I've been on the outside while it has hard started (in the morning I open the passenger door and put all my gear for the day on the passenger seat then reach over and start the truck to let it warm up) and being on the passenger while it does this you get a blast of rich exhaust smoke.

 

The only unfortunate thing is that the corporate offices need recorded scantool data of these instances in order to fix the issue. I say unfortunate because you guys need to find trusted dealers to leave your trucks with so they can duplicate it and submit the data. I would not be surprised if a reflash is on the horizon. I hope so anyways.

 

Also someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm fairly certain the Tacoma fuel pump only primes/runs when the ECM detects a crank signal. It was for certain this way on the 1st gen and has been with all Toyota products that I have come in contact with. So leaving the key in the on position for a few seconds won't necessarily help fuel delivery.