(very intermittent) Hard starting issue - 2014 v6

Hi all-

Mostly lurk but looking for insight on this one. I have a '14 V6 auto. 18,000 miles on the ODO. Usually it cranks hard and fires on the 2nd or at most 3rd turn. But occasionally - and I mean very occasionally like about once every 6-12 months occasionally - its hard to start. When it happens it will crank fine but sputter to catch, like back in the 80s if you had a carburetted engine with a malfunctioning choke.

Ive never been able to duplicate it twice in a row, and its always gone right back to starting just fine afterward. It doesn't seem to be cold related, a couple times it happened in winter (but on mild days), and its happened in summer also. Its always happened after the truck has sit for at least 8 hours.

First time it happened within 3 months of buying the truck. I had my dealer look at it during the first free service and they couldn't find anything wrong and tested the battery and charging system.

Its happened 2-3 more times since then but never seems to be enough of a repeatable pattern to be worth taking it back in. Its under warranty so its their problem, but I dont want to bring it back only to get the "we cant duplicate" runaround so I'm hoping to have a better idea of whats up first or figure out some pattern that could identify the cause.

It just happened again Tuesday this week - rainy winter day what warmed up unseasonably into the 40s. Was really hard to start after sitting at work 8 hours. But its been fine ever since and we are back into the 20s.

I checked the battery, still good. Reads 12.7v resting after a short drive and 14v ish with the truck running (alternator OK), then I shut down and put a 100amp load tester on it and it held over 11.5v.

I also hooked up a code reader... No stored codes. Its not throwing a CEL.

Once its started it runs great. No drivability problems, idles smooth, hard acceleration is fine.

I though maybe a fuel pump/regulator issue? If I leave the truck more than 8 hours when I turn the key to on I can hear the fuel pump buzz for about 5 sec. If the truck has run recently I dont. I thought maybe its priming the fuel rail and when Ive had hard starts it had been sitting and I just turned the key too fast to start without giving it a chance to prime. However Ive searched this forum and seen a number of comments that these trucks DONT prime the rail until the engine cranks?? (If so what am I hearing?)

Ideas? Mainly trying to have some idea to point the service guys before I just take it in for a fishing expedition... Ive seen others report this issue but the threads never seem to close out with a resolution.

 

So it happens once a year and you think its an issue...

 

Interesting, I've noticed the same thing with my 2014. It's only happened 3 times in the two and a half years I've owned the truck so it's very intermittent. The most recent time it happened was when I was leaving work. That same day it cold started fine to leave for work. I've also noticed that the issue didn't seem to be related to any specific weather/temperature.

 

2011 v6 here - and I get this very intermittently as well.

Only pattern when it does happen seems to be a drastic change in temp from when I turned it off. It'll be rainy/cold in the morning then after work it'll be warm/sunny.

On first first key turn I'll hear it start to crank crank crank for maybe 2 seconds. Turn the key to OFF, then try to start it again and that has always worked.

 

Well it's not the battery since it cranks.

With that being said their is proabably way too many variables to associate your problem to the others you've read; I.e. Time, temp and collective environment.

Now, the way I see it is if you truck sits for awhile, it's safe to assume the fuel flows back down to the lowest point in the system. And when that happens it takes the fuel pump a little extra pump to get your system back normal.

This would be impossible for a technician to figure out, since you have drove AND can drive the truck to the dealership. When that ceases to exist, then its most likely the fuel pump.

Conclusion, it's a quirk of the truck, like a squaty, squeaky rear end and the high probability your driver side hub WILL go out before the other.

Mine did and does the same thing, I'm a 2.7L, but Toyota all the same.

 

you are likely hearing the master cylinder building pressure if you are a 4x4 (TRD OR 4x4's 09+) have an electric boosted master cylinder.

I have had my truck start like you describe maybe 3x in the 3 years of ownership. Never hasnt started so never worried about it and its been quite a bit since its done it last.

The fuel system does definitely prime but there is a checkvalve to not allow fuel to flow backwards in the system.

 

Yeah, interesting its the exact same thing TacoRover just posted:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2012-tacoma-trd-sport-start-problem.468371/#post-14076494

Watch his video. SAME behavior here its just when it happened hte other day the second cranking attempt took well over 5 seconds (felt like forever) to catch.

I was pretty much writing it off as a freak gremlin not to be worried about but the most recent time it was much worse than before. Just thinking that if its a sign of something starting to go I'd rather get it sorted now for free while its still in warranty. But if it really is just a "quirk of the truck" then......

 

Ahh - the brakes. Yes it is TRDOR. I knew the master cylinder is boosted by hydraulics not vacuum but for some reason I was under the impression that it got the hyrdaulic pressure from the power steering pump (we know what they say about ass-umptions ). So it uses a separate electrically driven hydraulic pump for the brakes?

 

Mine used to do the same thing. I think I even started a thread about it at one time...I've chalked it up to a quirk. Was doing it between about the 20 and 40k mark and then stopped. Hasn't done it since about 40k (knocks on wood).

 

My truck was really hard to crank one day, about 20k miles. After it cranked I shifted into reverse and it straight died.

First thing I think is "fuel pump is out". Nope, fired right back up with ZERO hesitation and has never happened again.

But just today, ambient temps dropped drastically since I went into work last night; truck was hard to crank. However, I chalk that up to the electrical system struggles in colder temps.

The quirk IS the fuel pressure/pump, but I guess it's not "enough" for Toyota to care.

 

Hmmm... Try turning your key to the on position for about 2 seconds then start.

 

Yes, since it first happened I usually do that. Wait for all the warning lights to clear then crank it. Its *possible* i was in a rush leaving the office the other day and didn't pause like usual.... I cant recall exactly. This morning I deliberately got in and immediately cranked to test that theory however it fired right up on the 3rd rev.

 

I have noticed that my truck doesn't seem to start as hard as my other cars. Kind'a like a soft crank but always starts. I'm planning to do the "big 3" upgrade since I have plans on adding some lights, winch, amp, etc... in the future.

 

Same thing in my 2014 TRD Sport. It's always been when the car has sat for a day or two in really cold weather. The first couple times it happened, I think I was turning the key too fast. Now I give it a second at a half turn to warm up the electrical before firing her up.

 

^This, let your fuel pump run and turn off before starting.

That being said, i've always let my fuel pump turn off but i've still had this happen a few times. I'd say it's normal, i've never worried about it.

 

Nothing to worry about. Its been talked about quite a few times on tacomaworld. Ive had 2 tacomas and they both did it on occasion and many others have said the same.

 

Almost seems to be a "thing" with Toyotas.

My 92 pickup would do it now and then. Never left me stuck. My 2004 Matrix daily-driver does it sometimes (161k on the clock), but it may be related to a weak battery. My '14 Tacoma has pulled the stunt once or twice as well. Pretty sure it's fuel-starved. When it happened the first time I got out and didn't smell any fuel at the exhaust. By comparison, with the Matrix, I'll smell some fuel, so it's probably spark-related.

 

This is what I do as well. Turn key to 1st position, let it activate the lights and electrics (like my Dad's old Mercedes diesel) and then start it. I have a 1st Gen and same thing happens occasionally to me.

Additionally, I notice my 04 simply starts "differently" than my wife's 16 Honda Pilot, the Tacoma has a slightly longer starting sequence. I sometimes forget I cant just "start er up" and roll. Tacoma requires a bit of loving care.

If I do the above and let the electrics kick on for 2 seconds, I never short start the truck or "miss"; just a quirk of the truck I suppose.

 

No shit! What a great car! My wife and I had a 04 Matrix when we dated, TRD baby! I miss that little car. Roomy, sporty, reliable and sounded perfect.

She sold it to my Brother in Law, still kicking after 230K miles.

 

R&R with a new Battery of Equal CCA or Higher, has a Low Cell! If this works,cheap fix and easy, should be warranty,try a AGM like at SEARS,Autozone,Advance Auto parts, or NAPA, Oreillys ,Etc!