Scary Mystery or Little Known Quirk?

[lowenbrau]

My guess is that some tweaker tried to steal it but doesn't drive stick and didn't expect it to just start in gear when they jabbed the starter.

 

[essco1503]

I cant immediately see a link between the two but it's possible.

Id start by checking the state of the connections at the edic relay and motor. Unplug them, clean the connections and reconnect.
If you unplug the edic, you shouldn't be able to start it. Worth checking.

What happens if you purposefully bump start it with the key switched off?

Tried bumping it with ignition and key OFF. Didnt start...the plot thickens.

 

[essco1503]

My guess is that some tweaker tried to steal it but doesn't drive stick and didn't expect it to just start in gear when they jabbed the starter.

No tweakers around my place. Its mostly hidden and basically in a retirement town.

 

[charliemeyer007]

Army deuce and half multifuelers have been known to start with wind buffeting the signal shelter on their back. Mostly a Korean issue, though it happened several times in Ludwigsburg Germany while I was there. Parking in reverse or first is a much better choice than 5th.

I lost a starter at the wash rack once. I had less than 5" from the front tire to the curb on a nearly flat concrete pad and I manage to bump start it and drive back to my spot on the line. I always "sweetened" my diesel fuel with some MO gas.

 

[45Dougal]

Tried bumping it with ignition and key OFF. Didnt start...the plot thickens.

Curiouser and curiouser.
Maybe left the ignition switched on? I know that my key can come out in any position!

Probably worth checking that your edic motor is working smoothly over the full range each time

 

[cruiserpilot]

Oh man anything you can do that will have me not needing to sleep with a teddy bear, a bible and a shotgun tonight will be appreciated

Don't know what good the bible will do. I almost agree with Lowenbrau, no matter how quiet and secure you think it is.

 

[dmaddox]

I am a certified Toyota exorcist. However, the downside for you is I have to purchase your Land Cruiser in order to perform the exorcism.