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Toyota Tacoma starting issue

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by toygirl09, Jan 20, 2024.

  1. Jan 20, 2024 at 5:24 AM
    #1
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Hi, I'm new here and I have an 09 Tacoma 2.7 4x4 base. 198,00 miles. My issue is my truck randomly fails to start after being driven. It will crank up fine after it sits for a period of time, like overnight, but once I drive it and the engine is turned off, it will not start. The engine will try to turn over and has power but will not crank. I have had success popping the clutch from a roll or using clutch cancel. But now it wont start up that way either. I just had the master cylinder and slave cylinder replaced as it was leaking and I thought that fixed the problem. The mechanic tried to find the issue but could not. He is suggesting an electrical problem. He says its not a crank sensor. Any help would be appreciated!
    The truck runs great while driving, well kept up the maintenance, just does this randomly when I drive it and try to start it again. It has gotten more frequent over time so now I've parked it until I can get it resolved. Cant afford to get it towed everytime it does this

    Thanks!
     
  2. Jan 20, 2024 at 6:17 AM
    #2
    Waasheem

    Waasheem The catholic radio bear

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    A common cause for this symptom is a weak battery, or poor battery connection.

    Since it happens after driving there could also be a charging issue.

    If you’re getting a single click then no crank it’s probably the starter solenoid contacts.

    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-starter-source.718589/

    Scroll down to post 7.
     
  3. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:00 AM
    #3
    Pyts

    Pyts Well-Known Member

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    This one is interesting. I'm gonna pitch some ideas unaffiliated with the previous response just cuz I want to throw darts. My first thought was an alternator issue -- which may still be the case, but not how I'd expect.. If your truck was refusing to start after sitting, it would be failure to charge. I wonder if, in this case, your voltage regulator inside the alt is failing and overcharging your battery?.. Could check battery voltage while idling/revving to verify, if it's going too high.. I don't know what that would do symptom-wise.
    Besides that, I'm thinking of heat. Since that's what seems to separate function from non-function in your situation. That's what changes when the truck has been running. But man, I don't know what would facilitate the truck driving fine..
    Starter? A finicky starter, since it's not cranking..
    Does your truck have fusible link wiring going to the starter?

    Well. I'm just throwing darts. Don't actually know how my own suggestions would present. hopefully it helps though :D
     
  4. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:09 AM
    #4
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    I think we need some clarification here.
    Does it crank but not start (engine turns but doesn't fire) or is it a no crank (nothing happens or a single click is heard when you turn the key)?
     
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  5. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:11 AM
    #5
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Im not sure about a battery issue. It turns over fine, just wont start. Funny how when I popped the clutch it would start. or even pressing the clutch canel button and starting it first gear then push clutch in, it would fire up. I will definitely check the battery. Could it maybe be a clutch relay switch? That switch behind the clutch pedal? The mechanic who fixed the master cylinder didnt want to just keep replacing parts. Also, check engine light is not on either so no codes
     
  6. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:13 AM
    #6
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    When you push in the clutch and turn the key the engine will turn over starter and all but it wont fire up. If I pop the clutch by rolling it would usually fire up then, but now it wont fire when popping clutch nor using clutch cancel in first gear. And that started the day after the master/slave cylinder was replaced
     
  7. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:16 AM
    #7
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    I can't see the clutch having anything to do with it if it's cranking.

    What do your spark plugs look like, have they ever been replaced?
     
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  8. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:17 AM
    #8
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Whatever it is ...it seems to be after I drive it for awhile and its random. I will say its been doing it more frequently so now im afraid to drive it somewhere and get stranded. After the truck sits for some time it cranks up again
     
  9. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:24 AM
    #9
    HondaGM

    HondaGM Call sign Monke

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    Is the key light on when it does this
     
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  10. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:27 AM
    #10
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    It's a 2.7L so no immobilizer unless it's a Canada spec truck but good thought.
     
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  11. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:29 AM
    #11
    Dm93

    Dm93 Test Don't Guess

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    Next time it does it try holding the accelerator all the way to the floor and see if it starts, if it starts better this way you may have an injector leaking (would need further testing to confirm this).
     
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  12. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:29 AM
    #12
    HondaGM

    HondaGM Call sign Monke

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    :fistbump:
     
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  13. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:32 AM
    #13
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Yes. Ive replaced them twice and all my belts as well
     
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  14. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:35 AM
    #14
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Ok I will. I just went and started the truck. It cranked right up and its 20 degrees outside. Its been sitting for a few days. Ive also had the injectors cleaned but its been about 10,000 miles since
     
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  15. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:37 AM
    #15
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    Also, Im going to the auto store and get the alternator and battery checked to rule that out
     
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  16. Jan 20, 2024 at 7:38 AM
    #16
    HondaGM

    HondaGM Call sign Monke

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    Welcome to TW..Has fuel pressure been checked while it want start..TW sensor reading?
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2024
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  17. Jan 20, 2024 at 8:06 AM
    #17
    Waasheem

    Waasheem The catholic radio bear

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    To help us help you, not cranking and not starting are two separate things. Not cranking, the starter fails to spin the engine. Not starting, the starter spins the engine but the engine doesn’t start.

    This is a good idea but keep in mind, auto parts stores are in the business of selling you parts, not providing free diagnosis. So they’ll likely fear you into buying something you really don’t need.

    When mine was having a similar intermittent no start problem, it ended up being the clutch pedal switch and the starter solenoid contacts. I did the clutch switch relay bypass and solenoid contacts. Now it starts every time and I don’t have to stomp to start.
     
  18. Jan 20, 2024 at 1:19 PM
    #18
    toygirl09

    toygirl09 [OP] Member

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    I dont think so
    They just checked the alternator and its good. Tje battery is only a year old so I know its not the battery.
    I was thinking the same thing in regards to t he clutch relay and feiniterly the solenoid contact will get checked next.
     
  19. Jan 20, 2024 at 4:35 PM
    #19
    Waasheem

    Waasheem The catholic radio bear

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    Forgive me if this sounds disparaging, it’s not intended to be.

    Regarding getting the starter solenoid contacts checked. This problem presents itself as an occasional occurrence of a single click, no crank, no start when turning key to the start position. The problems recurrence increases as time passes. If you’re paying someone, it’s a decent amount of labor to remove and disassemble the starter to look at the solenoid contacts. I think the kit is less than $50, compared to I think over $200 for the whole starter. If you or a friend is doing the work, look at my post above, scroll down to post 16. I provided detailed instructions there on how I did mine. There’s probably some things different because mines a 4.0, yours a 2.7.

    To rule out two other possible problems, the clutch pedal switch and the clutch pedal switch relay, you could bypass it. Keep in mind you’re doing away with a safety feature Toyota thinks the public needs, I disagree. I learned to drive stick without it, and never leave it parked in gear so it’s not an issue for me.

    Find and remove the relay. You need a multimeter. There’s 4 pins on the relay. 2 are open. 2 will show resistance, these get power from the clutch switch and close the “other 2”. The other 2 is where you put a bypass in. I used about 1” of wire and 2 male spade connectors, put it in where the relay was. You can look at the relay to figure out exactly how long to make the wire, my first one was too short.
     
  20. Jan 20, 2024 at 4:46 PM
    #20
    Steves104x4

    Steves104x4 Well-Known Member

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    BUCKLE UP! It makes it harder for Aliens to pull you out of your Truck.
    Pop the #4 coil out (because it’s easiest to get to) and see if the tip is covered in oil. If it is, replace the valve cover and more importantly the spark plug tube gaskets. Good luck!
     

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