Tacoma Hard Start Finally Caught On Video

The concern is a lot of us are having this problem with essentially brand new trucks, the battery shouldn't be the culprit.

 

Update #2: switched back to 87 grade gas (2 tanks), started acting up again.

 

This happened to me again today. Cranked for about 2-3 seconds and nothing. Turned the key back to "off" position for 2-3 seconds, then cranked again and about about 1 second it started up. No turning to ACC or gas pedal pushing or excessive gas smell after the start.

 

Well, I solved my hard start issue. I'm trading in the truck next week for a 2013 F150 Platinum because I need to tow a 25' travel trailer this summer and could use the extra capacity and interior space. I won't let this hard start issue cloud my overall judgement of this truck. It is a great truck, hope Toyota gets this figured out eventually.

 

Pretty weird. Had this happen to me one time only, but it really shouldn't happen at all without throwing a code.

My Gen I 2.7L the dealer replaced the TPS under warranty, but it threw a code. I also had to replace the fuel pump out of warranty, it didn't throw a code it just flat out died.

Toyota has had some problems with their fuel systems over the years, if you look at Consumer Reports the fuel system is about the only problem area with their vehicles.

My Lexus GS300 I had to replace the TPS at 60k miles (out of warranty because of years). After I replaced the TPS, it would still throw the same code sometimes. I had already replaced the TPS so I knew something goofy was going on with the ECU, so I hooked up the Actron, cleared the code and everything was fine just by clearing the code. Weird. Happened several times.

The GS300 problem was much worse because the engine would go into a half-power mode where it was just limping along like a Yugo. And it wasn't even a real problem, just some false code the ECU dreamed up for some reason. I chased that problem all over the Lexus boards, and many people were having the same problem, escalating it up to replacing entire throttle bodies. And the solution for me was just clearing the false code from the ECU.

I guess the bottom line is there is something goofy with the ECU where it gets stubborn sometimes. As long as the engine eventually starts after a second cranking it's not bothering me too much right now.

 

my 2006 v6 does this rarely, usually when a large swing in temperature over a short period of time hits.

i got a few recalls done at the dealer, updated ecu for the unintended acceleration problem. hasnt had an issue since.

 

just happened to me today for the 1st time - 11,500 miles. 2012 DC TRD/OR. Have always run regular gas and it was sitting in the sun (although it has been pretty cold in NJ these days). Teens.....

 

anyone put a different fuel pump in their truck and see if that changes anything?

 

I haven't tried anything yet. I only have about 300 miles on the truck and it's happened about 5 times (morning/afternoon/night). I have to talk to the dealer about it next week. It probably won't go well since it is a German dealer w/ no Tacoma experience and they'll want to see it happen, and it is too sporadic.

 

My 2013 did it when I started it up for the very first time after purchase right in front of the car salesman. It had 11 miles on it, ten of which were done the previous day when I test drove it. We both looked at each other like, WTF? I almost walked away from the deal. I'm at 800 miles now and it has done it two additional times. Whack ass stuff. My wife would do the same thing if she were ever in the truck, she'd be like, "yeah, nice truck."

 

I hear you, man. It is pretty embarassing. It never happened when I test drove the truck, but I wonder how many times it happened at the dealer before they sold it to me.

 

Mine did it again today, after I left the key in the "on" position for quite a while before attempting to start the engine, as mentioned in this thread as a possible solution.

I just wanted to lay to rest any further rumors that this has anything to do with the problem.

 

Agreed w/ the "ON" position not doing anything. I'm actually more inclined to believe the temperature change having something to do with it because that seems to happen when it starts hard for me.

 

Try using another key

 

Did you turn the key to the off position prior to making the second attempt at starting?

There is an older TSB out that specifically states an intermittent problem where the computer loses the injector pulse, on the second cycle of the key, it will start right up. My 06 did it one time, I was quite literally in the middle of nowhere, and it was unsettling to say the least. It cranked for probably 15 seconds straight with no sign of catching. Deep breath, key off, key on, wait a few seconds, turn to start. Immediately fired up and ran perfect for 1,000 miles back home. That was a good 15K ago and it never has done it again. I had the brake override/floor mat recall done, not sure if that would include any new programming that may affect this issue.

 

... mine sometimes does that too. Not often tho.

2010 4.0L

 

This TSB, correct?
http://www.empirepao.com/tsb/T-EG011-07.pdf

The thing is, that's only for 05-07 Tacomas, and it says that changes have been made to the ECM since 2007 to fix the problem.

 

Yeah, that's the one. Wish it could help out all these guys with brand new trucks and having issues already.

 

That TSB even says:

"When the intermittent “no start” condition is related to the ECM (PCM) issue, there will
be NO injector pulse during cranking on the first starting attempt. After one ignition
key cycle, the vehicle will start"

Sounds just like the problem we're all having.

 

During a hard start I usually kept cranking on the first attempt until it started.