Starter runs in accessory position

gamparano · Oct 5, 2023

The Toyota Service Bulletin to repair Startability Malfunction Code P1604 is TSB 0166-19. It can be viewed at: https://www.tsbsearch.com/Toyota/T-SB-0166-19

coTony · Oct 5, 2023

toolman.dustin[OP] initial post: ↑

2016 Tundra: 93,000 miles. Truck is is excellent condition, I never off road, use it to tow a travel trailer and drive it in town maybe 3x/week.
Problem:
Three times in the past 30 days I can start my truck and drive to the mail box about 2 minute drive. Shut the truck off, get the mail and 2 minutes later when I've tried to re-start the truck this happens:
1. the engine cranks but will not start.
2. if I release the key and it returns to accessory position but the starter keeps running.
3 I have to turn the key to off position and try again.
4. The engine has started after 2-4 attempts.

One time it took 3 attempts to get the truck to start.
There are no error codes being reported.
In between these 3 events I've started the truck maybe 50 times without a problem, so this is very intermittent (so far). My concern is this is going to get worse until I get stranded somewhere.

Anyone seen this problem?

thanks,
Dustin
Click to expand...

The default behavior for the ignition is to perform as you describe. When your battery is not going south on you, you can turn the ignition quickly to the start position and immediately let go. It will crank until it starts but I 'thought' there was a time limit and it would stop itself. I use this time to put my seatbelt on and check the gauges. It is in the owners manual... somewhere.

toolman.dustin · Feb 10, 2024

gamparano said: ↑

Well, the mystery no start gremlin came back to visit my 2015 Tundra. I played with it (checked fuses and relays) and was able to get it to start for a couple of days but it kept going back to the no start condition. So, I decided to bite the bullet and drive (or have it towed) to the dealership where I purchased it new and let them deal with it. Luckily, I was able to get it started this morning and drove it to the dealership and dropped it off for a diagnostic review. The dealership just contacted me and said that a Service Bulletin was issued in 2017 or 2018 which addressed the P1604 Startibilty Malfunction Code on 2009 and later Tundra's. Apparently this issue is more problematic with Flex-Fuel engines (which I have) and requires a reprogram/reflash of the ECU to fix the problem. They also said that the $200 reprogram fee is covered under warranty, but I still have to pay the $80 diagnostic fee, which is fine by me. I don't have a copy of the Service Bulletin but when I ran a search looking for it, I did run across a Tundra forum site that shows a copy of the first page of a Service Bulletin that appears to address this issue. (See https://www.tundratalk.net/threads/have-you-ever-had-an-ffv-problem.397473/page-6)
Click to expand...

Thanks for this post and link: This problem went away in May 2023 and has now re-appeared in Feb 2024. There's a video on the link and my truck does exactly what is shown in the video. Starts on the 3rd attempt. I guess I'll go get my truck flashed. Very odd this problem would come and go like this.

edit: so apparently this problem is caused by a variation in ethanol content in the fuel. I guess the computer is trying to compensate for what it thinks is "out of range" ethanol. I almost always but my gas at a Shell station, but the last tank I got was at a Sam's. The tank before that was at a Dillon's. So, I'm guessing once I get gas back at my Shell, I'm good to go.
https://www.tsbsearch.com/Toyota/T-SB-0166-19#google_vignette

Dustin

Ruggybuggy · Feb 10, 2024

toolman.dustin[OP] said: ↑

Thanks for this post and link: This problem went away in May 2023 and has now re-appeared in Feb 2024. There's a video on the link and my truck does exactly what is shown in the video. Starts on the 3rd attempt. I guess I'll go get my truck flashed. Very odd this problem would come and go like this.

edit: so apparently this problem is caused by a variation in ethanol content in the fuel. I guess the computer is trying to compensate for what it thinks is "out of range" ethanol. I almost always but my gas at a Shell station, but the last tank I got was at a Sam's. The tank before that was at a Dillon's. So, I'm guessing once I get gas back at my Shell, I'm good to go.
https://www.tsbsearch.com/Toyota/T-SB-0166-19#google_vignette

Dustin
Click to expand...

If you have the flex fuel vehicle you should have the TSB performed. Changing your fuel station will no let likely fix the no start issue.

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Starter runs in accessory position

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gamparano New Member

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Starter runs in accessory position

#31 gamparano New Member

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