2013 Tacoma TRD Sport - Labored Start Up

[shoupe89]

Truck-
2013 Tacoma 4dr TRD sport 4x4
16,500 miles
Stock
Issue-
Twice in the past month the truck had had a labored start up. It struggles and struggles and then I drop the key back to off and then ignition to crank again and it fires up with a stumble at first(this likely due to fuel sitting in the cylinders, I can smell fuel burn off right when the truck finally cranks).

It's happened twice in cold and cool weather, raining one of the days, clear and dry the other days. Same result after I turned the key back and then went to crank the truck again.

Has anyone had this issue?

I can take it to the dealership but I'm likely to get the "we couldn't duplicate the issue you described" answer.

Rgds

Nick

 

[SIZZLE]

Sounds like loose wires running from the battery to the starter. I'd start there and make sure all the connections are tight and add some dialectic grease as needed.

 

[liljlandon]

Sounds like loose wires running from the battery to the starter. I'd start there and make sure all the connections are tight and add some dialectic grease as needed.

How so? He says it cranks fine, which rules out the starter or connections.

I would say its either emissions related or you aren't getting spark.

We've had Chevys that do this. They will start, die and then never restart immediately after fueling up. Trick is to mash the pedal why they are cranking and let off as soon as it starts. All 3 chevys have this issue, 2 07's and a 13.

 

[shoupe89]

How so? He says it cranks fine, which rules out the starter or connections. I would say its either emissions related or you aren't getting spark. We've had Chevys that do this. They will start, die and then never restart immediately after fueling up. Trick is to mash the pedal why they are cranking and let off as soon as it starts. All 3 chevys have this issue, 2 07's and a 13.

I spoke with my buddy at the Toyota service center and I plan to get the battery tested this weekend at the dealership and go from there. If not the battery...I'm thinking a relay but don't know the system well enough to say definitively, but it's def not getting spark since I'm smelling a rich fuel burn off once it cranks and stumbles for a second before it smooths out. I'll post when/if I figure it out. Nick

 

[Tigerstripe40]

There have been a few posts over on the TTORA forums about this. I haven't read any of them, though, as my Taco hasn't had the issue.
I have notices that mine cranks slowly when it's cold, but I attribute that mostly to the tight tolerances of the motor and it being cold.

 

[booty]

I have a 2013 Tundra, 5.7 flex fuel, 8000 miles. It is doing the same thing as yours, or sounds like it anyway. I have owned it since May and last fall at the 5000 service I camplained about a rough idal at start up for about 20-30 sec. then it smoothed out and ran fine. Service tech. checked and said there was a recall on the 5.7 flex fuels, they would detect E-85 at startup and dump too much fuel in. I've never ran E-85, they just had to reflash a sensor under the hood and it done fine.
Now in the last few weeks it is doing the same thing you stated about yours. I at first blamed it on the bitter cold(wind chills around -20). But it seems to still do it when it is only 20-25. I mainly notice it at first startup in the mornings. Getting to the point that I am thinking of going to the dealer but haven't had the time.

 

[shoupe89]

I tested the battery and it tested fine...
When I have time I am going to take it to the dealership in auburn, my fathers 2013 TRDoffroad did the same thing as mine a month back and they couldn't find anything wrong...

When I have time to be without a truck I will take it to them...

 

[os1rfw]

Did they ever figure out what was going on with your truck?

 

[nimrod712]

This is a common issue with 2nd gen tacos, but to my knowledge no one has figured out exactly what causes it. The only suggestion I've heard is to turn on the key and wait until some of the lights go off before actually trying to crank it. This seems to help, but doesn't completely fix the problem, at least on my truck anyway. Mine has been doing it for quite some time, but so far hasn't caused any issues, other than being annoying.

 

[shoupe89]

I will be up in auburn next Saturday to have my buddy at the dealership check her out. If he doesn't find anything I will just deal
With it and be annoyed when it happens...

Nick

 

[os1rfw]

I haven't had that issue, yet. I wonder if there isn't a fuel bleed off issue. By turning the key to "on" for a few seconds before starting you are letting the fuel pump pressurize the system. As a truck driver, I always let the computer to reset and the fuel pump to repessurize the fuel system before starting. Not doing so and the truck stumbles for a few seconds. I am just wondering if it isn't doing the same on the Toyota. On my Toy, I usually do the same.
Ron

 

[nimrod712]

Actually, from what I understand (which is not much, mind you haha), the fuel system on these trucks is always pressurized. The fuel pump will kick on at random times even when you don't have the key on. And, you won't always here it kick on whenever you turn the key on. Also, turning the key on for a few seconds doesn't alleviate the problem. Sometimes I can turn it on for 20 seconds, and it will still do it.

 

[liljlandon]

I haven't had that issue, yet. I wonder if there isn't a fuel bleed off issue. By turning the key to "on" for a few seconds before starting you are letting the fuel pump pressurize the system. As a truck driver, I always let the computer to reset and the fuel pump to repessurize the fuel system before starting. Not doing so and the truck stumbles for a few seconds. I am just wondering if it isn't doing the same on the Toyota. On my Toy, I usually do the same.
Ron

Unless toyota has changed their system, which is possible, the computer waits for the MAF to sense air flow and then kicks the fuel pump on.

 

[os1rfw]

That's why I was wondering if it is loosing pressure when shut off. A pin hole or something somwhere, but then it seems this might be a common problem. Does it do it after the engine has been warmed up?
Ron

 

[nimrod712]

Unless toyota has changed their system, which is possible, the computer waits for the MAF to sense air flow and then kicks the fuel pump on.

Interesting. I hadn't heard that before. Seems like there would always be a bit of a delay in that case...

And, to correct my earlier statement, the fuel pump is not running when the truck is shut off. Apparently an evaprotation pump for emissions runs.

 

[nimrod712]

That's why I was wondering if it is loosing pressure when shut off. A pin hole or something somwhere, but then it seems this might be a common problem. Does it do it after the engine has been warmed up?
Ron

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. I can't find any real correlation to anything, honestly. Not sure about the OP.