New here and needing help.

Good morning everybody, I am new and now familiar with rules or avenue or whatever so I will just let you know what is going on and hopefully someone can help.
I have a 2013 Tundra, 5.7 flex, 4x4, no modifications, standard maintenance only. New battery and transmission installed right after purchase just over three years ago.
The past week or so I have been having issues getting it to start. It hesitated once or twice then nothing. Battery was fine so I switched keys and it worked for a few days then back to nothing. My Papa told me to move my steering column, just switch position and then it worked for a few days. Today it would not start again. Unhooked battery for about thirty minutes and it is doing fine so far but I know it is not fixed. Any ideas are welcome. I never thought moving my steering column would do anything and it did so try me. Thank you.

 

shot in the dark.. starter relay....?

 

I will check that for sure. I do need to get the keys checked but I live in the sticks, I think Ace is the only place here that can do it.

 

that 3+ year old battery could be toast. I would check the battery volts, charge and do a load test. If you cant do that, any local auto parts store like autozone can do that for you. When a battery starts going out, power fluctuating, etc it can do some crazy things on a Tundra, causing issues/symptoms that can seem unrelated to battery. So do a good check of that first.

Id also check your ground wire and battery wires connections for corrosion/problems. Rule out those issues first. If not resolved check starter itself and solenoid/relay and you could have a bad ignition switch in steering column. All of those systems are related to starting.

 

Battery, starter and alternator all checked out good, even with a load on the battery, still good. I unhooked the battery and let it sit this morning. Cables and battery look good, no acid anywhere. I'm in the dark as to the ground. I should probably give that a once over.
When my Papa had me adjust the column and it started I got worried it is a wire in there somewhere. Relays and fuses are all I can think of for now.

 

I hope she starts, gotta get ready for hunters. I will let you know what I find and go from there. Thank you for your help.

 

If the steering column had an effect, and the key had an effect i’d start by opening the column and checking connection to the ignition switch. Maybe looking for voltage.

 

A non start should be broken down into different categories in order to troubleshoot properly. 1, key goes in but doesn't turn. 2, key turns normal but one of the following happens. A, nothing. B, get a click and no more. C, starter turns slowly then stops. D, starter turns normally but engine fails to start running.

 

Before you start it, try tapping the side of the starter with a hammer handle or stout stick. The outer pole shoe (magnet) could have gone bad (cracked) causing a bad connection. While you are at it check the connections at the starter, then give it a try.

 

Welcome from LA (Lower Alabama) and good luck with your issue! Looks like you already have some help!

 

I agree that something in the column is iffy and should have a look.

Starter was checked with a scanner, I didn't put my eyes on it, that skid plate is a nightmare by myself so I may have to wait for my dad,(don't make fun, he like turning wrenches with his only daughter, lol).

After cleaning ALL the connections on the terminals, there are two on each side and they look Jurassic so I scrubbed good and it seems to be making a better connection, for now. I have only starting it once.

I still have not checked the batteries in my keys, either one, hopefully have time tomorrow. I did pull the relay and put a meter on it, it was reading high so I will grab a few of those when I get out of here, if she starts.

Thank you for the greeting LA, now I know three places that have those initials. Thank you everyone for your help and I hope we can fix this Toyota pretty soon.

OH, I almost forgot. After the first time it didn't want to start, I held the key and it pulled some codes. Traction control was on and 4lo was flashing. I pulled the codes then cleared them, they have not come back on. P1604 says "Startability Malfunction", I did not find that very helpful but maybe you will. And no, I have never ran my truck out of fuel, lol. Last time she refused to go was when the transmission went out. Thank you for your time, and your help.

 

welcome from so cal

 

This is the answer(s).

 

If the ignition relay is hitting fine everytime, then everything in the column is fine.

 

Welcome from NY.
Good luck with your issues.

 

This is where I would start. Had an old 4Runner that did exactly what You explained OP. Relay was the issue, especially if everything is checking out.

 

Battery is fine, I just tested it myself and its at 12.7, I didn't get a chance to get any relays but the one for the starter I checked for continuity and it was showing good. I don't think I can do any more tonight, Im running out of daylight. Thanks again for your help.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from Ohio. Good luck with the issue.

 

Welcome

 

Hello to the new year everyone, I apologize for not getting back sooner. I still have not found or fixed anything but she seems to be running and starting just fine. I guess I will let you know when she starts acting up and we can go from there. Thank you all for your help and I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday season.