2016 Tundra Intermittent Starting Issues Help

Hello all, looking for some insight. been having this issue for about 6 months. doesnt happen every time i start it, usually in late afternoon. never close to after i have driven it. I have been to many mechanics and i keep throwing money at it. nothing is happening with performance, or anything else just the random starting or lack there of. attached is link to video.

https://youtube.com/shorts/dKFcdWQLoVI?feature=share

Thanks for any help!!

 

I've had similar issues, it happens to me more often when the temperature is cold. I have had the fuel pump done however this didn't remedy the problem. I am interested to see other responses as well.

 

Surprisingly Sean492 temp isnt a factor, most times its in the 80's when its worse! Hope someone knows

 

Any trouble codes in the ECU?

Are you watching the security light on the dash when the key comes on to make sure it lights for a second or so and then goes out completely? If it’s doing anything other than this it is not recognizing your key.

Has the fuel pump ecu been checked?

Is it a Flexfuel, they have a starting problem sometimes but I don’t know the exact details around that.

 

Anything coming out of the tailpipe such as dark smoke or smell of fuel when started up?

 

So far no dark smoke or smell of fuel

Definitely not a key problem, (also thought that to start with) if you hear it trying to crank over, Every time it has a smidge hesitation, but many times this bad. Surprisingly its not as bad if i put premium in it. Which is why i changed the spark plugs and injectors. But still not any better.

The mechanic said he checked the fuel pump and said thought maybe that, but to me if that was the case it would be more constant of an issue and i would think performance would be affected. Also if was fuel pump didn't think would get better with premium. Would hate to spend $600ish on the fuel pump, drop the tank and do all that work for a "maybe" ya know.

Thanks for the thoughts guys!

 

I don't have a key issue. Neither is there dark smoke at the start. I did have the fuel pump replaced however that offered little to no resolution. We did this because with the flex fuel option we thought that could be an issue. Like Tundra_Mac I am trying to make the next repair cost count as there are other things to try that may not offer results. For me it seems like the truck isn't getting any fuel to initiate the engine to start.

 

I would tap in to the fuel line with a fuel pressure gauge. Try swapping fuel pump relay

 

Did they only replace the pump?

What about the fuel pump ecu? It’s on the frame rail near the pump and controls operation of the pump.

I have seen these be replaced to fix starting issues several times.

 

At least for mine i havent replaced either. Wondering if the ECU could cause it, curious if they changed that on yours @Sean492

 

I will check on this shortly and let you know. I'm not sure.

 

And just for anyone else's knowledge also I have changed spark plugs, changed injectors, brand new battery, charging system, and cables, cleaned all exhaust air filters, and some more generic stuff.. But same issue persists.

 

Have you scanned the truck ecu for the ethanol % ? The computer falsely elevates the ethanol level over time it seems and then the truck won’t start on pump gas. Resetting the ethanol value seems to help some with that. Many threads in here about it.

 

I haven't tried to reset that yet. I would think i would have more of a consistent hard/rough start if that was the case, not random? Maybe im wrong though. Ill have to check out how to reset this. Thanks for the tip.

 

This thread popped back up today about the ethanol issue:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/startibilty-issues-flex-fuel-reading-85-ethanol.116639/