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intermittent starting issue

Discussion in '2nd Gen Tundras (2007-2013)' started by chewluwatoo, Apr 22, 2016.

  1. Apr 22, 2016 at 11:03 AM
    #1
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    So, I've had this issue for a while now. Can't seem to figure it out. My 08 Tundra 5.7 4×4 runs great. Once in a great while it won't start. I was driving the other day and turned my truck off. About 15 minutes went by, I tried to start it and it just turned over and over and over. Sometimes it sounds like it might start but doesn't. Seems like a fuel delivery issue to me but I don't know. So 20 minutes goes by and fires right up like nothing happened. This has happened probably 12 times over the last year-and-a-half. Toyota says clean the throttle body. I cleaned with a toothbrush and throttle body cleaner. Thought it was fixed but three weeks later it did it again. Sometimes it won't happen for six months and sometimes it all happens twice a month. There is no codes or any indication there is something wrong. I replace the battery 6 months ago because it was old. So that has nothing to do with it. Nobody seems to know or have had this issue before. Anybody else ever deal with this?
     
    Thekid1955 likes this.
  2. Apr 22, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #2
    tibadoe

    tibadoe New Member

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    Are you getting your fuel from the same place? Either way, could be the station has water in the storage tanks and letting the tank get low. Could always start with a bottle of fuel cleaner with water remover. That would be an easy fix if so.
     
  3. Apr 22, 2016 at 2:00 PM
    #3
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    Thanks! I didn't think of that. I'll switch it up.
     
  4. Apr 22, 2016 at 8:03 PM
    #4
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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    You don't have a flex fuel truck do you?
     
  5. Apr 22, 2016 at 8:21 PM
    #5
    Black Wolf

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    Wait for @LOTSOFTOYS to respond to this. Jace is the resident guru.
     
    T-Rex266 likes this.
  6. Apr 22, 2016 at 8:23 PM
    #6
    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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  7. Apr 22, 2016 at 8:23 PM
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    TruckyTruck

    TruckyTruck Dumbest Username

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  8. Apr 22, 2016 at 8:23 PM
    #8
    LOTSOFTOYS

    LOTSOFTOYS Toyota Whisperer

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    Yeah is it a flex fuel?
     
    Black Wolf likes this.
  9. Apr 22, 2016 at 9:01 PM
    #9
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    No sir, it's not a flex fuel.
     
  10. Apr 22, 2016 at 9:11 PM
    #10
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    Nope. Not a flex fuel. It has 13000 miles
     
  11. Apr 23, 2016 at 3:04 AM
    #11
    RLHULK

    RLHULK Too many gamma rays in all that BBQ smoke.

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    I had a 2007 dodge ram that would do the same thing. It had the 5.7 hemi. Every now and then would crank and crank but not start, turn off the key wait a few minutes then start like normal. The dealership could never get it to replicate, never threw a code, no one knew what to repair or replace. Never did figure it out, sold it in 2011.
     
  12. Apr 23, 2016 at 8:10 AM
    #12
    LOTSOFTOYS

    LOTSOFTOYS Toyota Whisperer

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    When it does this, peek over and see if the security light is flashing.
     
    15whtrd likes this.
  13. Apr 23, 2016 at 12:09 PM
    #13
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    Thanks for the advice. I will check it out next time it happens. It could be a week or it could be a month or even six months. Who knows
     
  14. Apr 23, 2016 at 3:01 PM
    #14
    T-Rex266

    T-Rex266 Elon approved Staff Member

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    As is @thefatkid another Toyota tech for Groove Toyota = )
     
    Black Wolf[QUOTED] likes this.
  15. Apr 25, 2016 at 4:42 AM
    #15
    nole0821

    nole0821 New Member

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    chewluwatoo

    Did you resolve or solve your issue?
    My 2008 4X4 starting doing same exact thing this weekend. No indicator or code lites. starts fine at times and then just turns over. Maybe only a coincidence but seems to start fine cold start. Only seems to happen when warm. When happens will only turn over as if trying to start. I can release key and continues to turn over for about 5-10 seconds unless turn key to off. This may mean nothing but wondering if yours does same thing. I am taking into mechanic today but if no codes I doubt he will have solution. I will try other recommendations on post first. will post if any results. thx
     
  16. Apr 29, 2016 at 7:54 AM
    #16
    nole0821

    nole0821 New Member

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    Mechanic diagnosed ..fuel pump module going bad re codes..replaced today..$750.00.. Hopefully resolves issue. Also recommended I to clean throttle assembly..
     
    Rex Kramer likes this.
  17. Apr 29, 2016 at 8:34 PM
    #17
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    Damn, I do really miss the old days when a computer didn't control everything.
     
  18. May 2, 2016 at 4:53 AM
    #18
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    Yep... Mine does the same thing exactly. I cleaned the throttle body. And two weeks later it did the same thing. Don't spray cleaner directly into the throttle body. spray it on a toothbrush or a rag and and scrub it
    Thanks for posting your reply. I really appreciate Bummed out about the fuel pump. That's spendy. OUCH! Hopefully this solves the problem.
     
  19. May 2, 2016 at 4:59 AM
    #19
    chewluwatoo

    chewluwatoo [OP] New Member

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    How many miles on your 08. Mine has 132000.
     
  20. May 18, 2016 at 1:01 PM
    #20
    Dustin808

    Dustin808 New Member

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    2008 Midnight blue Tundra Limited
    3" leveling kit 20" MOTO METAL wheels (MO961's) 305/55/20 (33") NITTO TRAIL GRAPPLERS True dual exhaust(custom built) Fabtech BullBar W/LED lights Custom Black Housing headlamps Custom LED tail lamps (Smoked) Fabtech Blacked out grill (Goes over existing grill not a replacement) PIONEER Head unit ( GPS,NAV,IPOD,Bluetooth,DVD,MP3,CD, etc...etc...) Tundra shadow light replacement for the standard door light. HID conversion on low beam side custom drilled and used LED button lights (amber) for the Bull BAR and used as a DRL (X4) 3" Recessed LED back up lamps custom fit into the rear bumper.
    If this doesn't fix your problem I had an issue where I would fire mine up it would run for 2/3 sec and shut off and would crank but not run. Waited about 5/10 min and crank and run like nothing happened turned out to be the ignition/key. Apparently it's common and a cheap bypass is get a remote start(if not applicable) and it comes with a ring you have to slide over the ignition which disrupts the signal from the keys chip and should fix the problem. I did this and I haven't had a minute trouble sense
     
  21. May 19, 2016 at 3:28 PM
    #21
    Tommyk

    Tommyk New Member

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    Doesn't sound like the same problem l have.mine want start and if u let the key go it keeps turning over for a couple of seconds.if it wound't start just take the battery terminal off and it will start right up
     
  22. Oct 20, 2017 at 5:47 AM
    #22
    TexasTundra15

    TexasTundra15 New Member

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    I am having the same issue on my 2015. 1 in 40 or so starts will turn over for about 10 seconds (even after I stop turning the key forward). I then turn it again and it starts. I thought it was an issues with my remote start as it seems to happen more so if I click for it to remote start, but it doesn't start (like i did not double click the button fast enough). The company that put in my remote start did not connect the brake line shut off properly, so I can press the brake and the truck stays running (should turn off to prevent putting vehicle in gear).

    Ideas? I just missed the warranty period :)

    I would love to see what you guys did that had this issue to see what worked (please not a $750 part).
     
  23. Nov 5, 2017 at 9:53 PM
    #23
    djchanley

    djchanley New Member

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    Same thing on my 2015 PRO Flex fuel. Just started the other day. Starter keep cranking over and over and will finally start after 7-10 seconds. Runs all day just fine but when I go to start after it cools down on colder days (not super cold, like 30-40 degree days) it happens again. Has anyone spoke with a dealer that has a fix? I’ve heard reflashing the ECU to replacing fuel pump. Any of you have success on a solution?
     
  24. Nov 6, 2017 at 6:48 AM
    #24
    kenomouth64

    kenomouth64 New Member

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    Hold the Line! If you are not holding the line, abandon your ship. Destruction is inevitable without more to hold the line!
    I know there are several issues with the Flex Fuel Tundras.

    @TexasTundra15 I suspect the issue is likely related to the remote start, I have known several people and have experienced the exact symptoms you are describing because of a poorly installed remote-start unit (or defective unit).

    @djchanley The Flex Fuel portion is likely what is causing this. I have heard of several people having issues related to "hard starting" with the flex fuel 5.7l. The solution to this is to reprogram the engine’s ECM with an updated calibration to correct the fuel trims as adjusted against the Alcohol Density Estimate, afterward filling the tank with low ethanol gas (E10 or less).

    http://carspecmn.com/toyota-flex-fu...-hard-start-long-crank-or-check-engine-light/
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  25. Nov 6, 2017 at 7:16 AM
    #25
    TexasTundra15

    TexasTundra15 New Member

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    I used some fuel injector cleaner and it has not happened in 2 weeks. Bad gas? Will post here again if it comes back.
     
    NewImprovedRon likes this.
  26. Aug 17, 2018 at 10:05 AM
    #26
    Trailer

    Trailer New Member

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    This same thing happened to me in Myrtle Beach after driving 3 hours. Truck was hot. Ended up towing it to Toyota dealer and they are charging me $1778.53 for a immobilizer modulator that is going bad. They said the truck thinks its being stolen and is shutting down the motor!!! Just read your thread here. I really hope it's not that. I'd like to sue them if they are wrong... They didn't even have the part available.
    ***Update***
    I spoke to the service manager today to find out what the status was and they now say that code can come up when the trucks battery drops to under 10 volts. They have not been able to recreate the problem and would like to return the truck..... All I have to pay is their $124 service charge. Any ideas??
     
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
  27. Nov 9, 2018 at 7:35 AM
    #27
    Jason2010Sequoia

    Jason2010Sequoia New Member

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    Did anyone get this resolved? I have 5.7L, non flex fuel, well maintained and usually runs fine. Once every while (and randomly) the truck will crank, crank, crank, and not fire. Sometimes it is after sitting overnight, sometimes after just running inside the store real fast. Like I said, random. (I am cranking to start it without touching gas pedal...I will get to the relevance later.)
    No code, No check engine light. Good gas, and gas treatment. Cleaned and inspected intake and throttle body.

    1. The next time it happens, I spray a bit of starter fluid in the throttle body, and it sputters and want's to start, and eventually it does. So what we have is a fuel delivery issue, not spark. Fuel delivery is very much dependent upon no vacuum leaks and measuring the air intake. Checked all vacuum leaks, found none. I suspected a bad Air Flow Meter (AFM) located between filter housing and throttle body, but at $150+, I didn't want to just start throwing parts at it. (Basic function of the AFM is to measure how much air is going by it and "tell" the computer to adjust fuel ratio, among a lot of other things.) Also, since there are no error codes or check engine light, I don't think it is the AFM. Error codes are only thrown by problems that the computer can detect through a variety of sensors (included the AFM). So, if you have a problem with no error codes, it is likely "purely mechanical" and not being picked up by any computer sensor. Examples would include bad gas, dirty filter, bad vacuum lines. (Although, some "purely mechanical" issues may eventually lead to issues that do throw a code if not fixed.)

    2. I suspected maybe a bad Fuel Pressure Regulator. This vacuum controlled device is on the fuel rail on the RH (passenger) side of the engine. It has a vacuum line going up near the throttle body. This basic device uses engine vacuum to move a diaphram that allows more or less fuel into the fuel rail (which wraps around to all the injectors). The more vacuum, the more fuel. It is purely mechanical, not a sensor, and no wires go to it. All kinds of symptoms happens if it is bad. I've ordered one, but doesn't come in until next week.

    3. The more I thought about it, I kept coming back to thinking it is a vacuum issue. So, the next time it would not start (just crank) I tried something -- I pushed the accelerator pedal to the floor and THEN cranked it. A couple of cranks and "vrooom" we have liftoff. The next few times I had the issue, this solution worked to get it started. Hold the gas pedal to the floor, crank, and it starts. After that, ran normally. So, what is up with that? Well, by holding the throttle body open while you crank you are allowing the engine to "suck" in more are....so more vacuum is created than just turning the key. (Also, more air flow past AFM and more vacuum to pressure regulator=more fuel.)

    Obviously, the truck is designed to provide sufficient vacuum and air flow at startup without this "trick", so something is up. Now we just have to figure it out.
     
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  28. Dec 2, 2018 at 2:23 PM
    #28
    ceasararzu10

    ceasararzu10 New Member

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    Hi I'm a new member,and I was wondering if anyone out there can help me with my 2001 tundra ..it first started with stalling on reverse and drive then it doesn't turn over..it kills in seconds,I changed the position sensor and it still says does the same
     
  29. May 16, 2019 at 6:43 AM
    #29
    jmcarpenter68

    jmcarpenter68 New Member

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    Did you get this resolved. My 2008 Tundra is in the shop now being looked at but doing the exact same thing you noted above. Wanting to make sure I avoid unnecessary work by the mechanic. Thanks.
     
  30. May 16, 2019 at 11:26 AM
    #30
    Dr_Al

    Dr_Al New Member

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    My Tundra did it once. I also did it on purpose. I bought blank keys off of Amazon and had the local hardware store cut them. They didn't charge me but I wanted to try them out. Just for fun I tried to start the truck even though the key wasn't programed. The truck turned over but didn't fire. It was like the computer didn't open the injectors. If I remember correctly it kept turning over for a second or so after I turned the key off. For those having a problem I would carry your spare key so if it happens you can try a different programmed key.
     

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