Tundra Wouldn't Start and After Towed to Dealer, It Started, Twice Now.

I have had this issue twice in the last two weeks on my 2021 Tundra 5.7. I get in the truck, turn the key, and the motor just spins without trying to start. It was spinning so fast I thought the starter or flywheel had stripped gears. After talking to the tow truck driver who said he was a mechanic, he listened to it and agreed it was probably a starter problem. The tow driver dropped me off to get a loaner at the service office and after he dropped the truck, he walked into the office to say, "You won't believe this, but that the truck started after I dropped it in the repair yard." Toyota kept it for a couple of days and said it was ready for pick up...Two weeks later the Tundra had the exact same issue. The motor would just spin like a fast hamster wheel. I had it towed back to the dealer and the following day they called to say, "It started right up. We can't find a problem." After searching the internet, the only mention of this problem said it may be a faulty Fuel System losing it's pressure, and then eventually regaining pressure after an hour or so. I don't understand how it could "regain pressure" by just sitting. I could see it might regain pressure by being towed 15 miles? Has anyone dealt with this problem?

 

When the issue happens is the starter motor spinning without engaging the engine (engine not actually turning over)? That would explain the fast starter sound. Have you checked the battery? These trucks can be a little odd with weak batteries, possibly spinning the starter but not engaging it with the flywheel.

 

Intermittently sticking starter solenoid, or low battery voltage, but with it being so intermittent, I'd first make damn sure the battery terminals are clean, then I'd suspect the sticky solenoid, including the possibility of a loose connection at the solenoid itself.

 

The Toyota Dealer installed a " 7 Year Battery " the first time I dropped it off. $280.00. They said they tested the Starter.

 

Not sure about which tab to click to post a reply ? The dealer put in a new super duty 7 year battery. They said they tested the starter.

 

The Toyota Dealer installed a " 7 Year Battery " the first time I dropped it off. $280.00. They said they tested the Starter.

 

Yep, that's what happens when something is intermittent. Always works fine at the repair shop. Doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with the starter, or the solenoid in particular.

Look, you haven't really explained whether you're actually cranking the engine fast, or just spinning the starter wihout engaging the flywheel. The assumption from your definition of the problem is that the starter is not engaging the flywheel, but without clarification, it's difficult to help you with your problem. If your starter solenoid is sticking SOMETiMES and not engaging the flywheel SOMETIMES, your dealer won't find anything wrong unless you just get lucky. Maybe it's a little gummed up from something, maybe the windings in the solenoid are starting to deteriorate from heat or something, maybe connections are dirty (that won't show by just jumping power to the unit) ..... but whatever it is, since it's an intermittent occurrence, you cannot say the starter is good, just because the dealer found nothing wrong while they had your truck.

 

Every time you start your truck, have your phone ready to record. Eventually it will happen again. Be ready.

 

Thanks. The Toyota Shop supervisor recommended that. The second time it was there.

 

It really helps. My head unit slowly started to not boot up. Finally wouldn't boot up at all. My service advisor told me to record the problem. Caught it. Got my $2000 HU replaced under warranty just under the wire. They need proof.

 

Sounds like a bad starter!

 

I believe my second sentence was that the motor was spinning so fast that I thought it was the flywheel? My fault for saying it sounded like a starter. That is how I am now guessing a possible fuel system problem. It's as if there is no 'compression' because maybe there is no fuel to ignite. It is very hard to describe, and the second time it happened I should have recorded a video with sound and took a picture of my dash alerts.

 

From your description, it sounds like your starter is just spinning. It’s occasionally not kicking the bendix out to engage the flywheel to turn the engine. Time to change it, before it leaves you stranded.
They usually only give you a few warnings, then they just quit.

 

This.

 

A 'trick' I used to do was take a longer extension and a hammer and tap the starter and see if the condition changes. Will help isolate the issue to being the starter.

 

Well, my 07 was giving me fits starting. Went to local repair shop. New starter. A after market one. It cooked in 2 weeks. Went back to him and he put an oem one in. Worked ok for a while then started acting up. Local shop said "I'm done with it", so I went to dealer. Said I needed A starter....they replaced. Worked ok for a while and I tested The one they removed. It worked fine. Then a buddy looked at it. It was the connection on the solenoid. The "action" wire. That's it. New blade style connector. After about 3k, it was a $.50 connector to fix.

 

Ouch!!