Startup Hesitation

So, I have 2014 TRD Crewmax with about 180k miles. Here recently I have noticed that when I first start the truck, it seems like it has a hesitation to start, but once it starts, there is no issues. Any ideas?

 

When you say slow to start, does it turn over slowly and then catch and start? If so possibly battery. If it turns over fine and takes a while to start it could possibly be a fuel pump issue. There’s a big recall for fuel pumps. I’m not sure of the year models affected. You can put your VIN in on Mama Toyota’s website and check.

 

No it cranks fine, battery was replaced last year. I was thinking it could be fuel pump issue but, it only does it when it’s cold. I would think if it was fuel pump, wouldn’t it be constant and have issues while running too? I will check on the recall today.

 

Might check your battery again. I know it’s only a year old but my Toyota Sienna did the same thing with a relatively new battery (2 yr old), and eventually wouldn’t start. New battery fixed it.

 

Post a video. Much easier to diagnose.

 

should be able to watch it there.

 

here is the 2nd start just a few seconds later.

 

double checked today, no recall on my truck for fuel pump.

 

Somewhat minor stumble/miss for less than a second, not bad. Do you run some fuel/alcohol treatment through it from time to time? Then there's always MAF cleaning, intake cleaning. Checked plugs for clues?

 

Eh, not terrible. I would first do some basic maintenance. When was the last plug change? Maybe clean the maf and the throttle body. Run a couple of tanks with injector cleaner.

 

Plugs are original, I thought it was that at first, but in my experience, plug issues are noticeable while running too. I run Lucas Fuel treatment regularly, every other fill up or so. I haven’t dug too much into the issue but I plan to look a little deeper tomorrow when I get to my shop. It does startup, but this new hesitation as me worried a bit. Never done that before.

 

I would also check the battery (I sound like a broken record)...just seems like you’re not getting the cranking power to turn the engine over quickly.

 

I’ll have it checked tomorrow as well. I stated earlier it is a fairly new battery, but that don’t mean squat. I have had brand new parts be bad.

 

Regardless, change that noise. They've got 180k on them. IIRC, the plug interval is 100k.

 

true statement, recommendations for plugs?

 

oem imo

 

OEM Toyota
Denso SK20HR11
Denso IKH20TT

Leave the gimmick plug BS at the door. You don't need 8 ground arms. Also, don't gap the iridium stuff, you'll destroy the electrode tip.

 

Changed the plugs today, Put in some new Denso IKH20TT. Problem still persists. Only code that shows in history is P1604 Startability Malfunction. Saturday, I started it for about 10 secs, turned it off. Attempted to restart and it took 3 starter cycles to start it successfully. After It runs about 5 mins, it starts up like a champ.

 

does it only happen during cold weather ? and how about after that first start in the morning, does it still happen during the day ?

 

Im not sure if it is only during cold weather or not, it started having problems a couple weeks ago. Average temp here now is about 30-40*F. It does continue during the day after it has sit for a few a few hours.

 

Here is a start from this morning after it sit overnight. Outside temperature is about 25*F. You can tell the hesitation and sputter much better in that video. It almost died but finally picked up to idle.

 

If it starts fine after running for 5 minutes, it sounds like you're losing fuel pressure. The pressure will drop while it sits then the pump has to bring it back up to pressure during the start sequence. While it's doing that the injectors may just be dribbling fuel until it's back up to pressure.

 

The next issue is after it starts and idles for 10-15 seconds, fuel pressure should be stable and fully pressurized. In my case, I can start it and after the 10-15 stabilization idle, shut it off, then restart, it still has a sputter and it seems to get progressively worst with each start in that short period.

 

Flex fuel engine?

 

No, not flex fuel

 

Your issues really remind me of what my SC400 does early in the morning and when its cold... It has a cold temperature injector which is used only during certain temperatures, and does something similar. Other times it hesitates, so I sprayed some throttle body cleaner and its been good, I also rebuilt my IAC valve changing out the bearings and its been starting and idling good consistently..... I would think its an IAC valve, may need a couple sprays of a throttle body cleaner....

 

So, I’m still trying to diagnose the issue. Took it to a shop today and spent sometime with their fancy scan tool. Every sensor we checked was working correctly, battery checked good, no codes except P1604 startability malfunction. Still clueless to what the problem actually is. Going to clean up the throttle body and look at the grounds next to see if it persists.

 

my truck is doing the exact same thing right now

head scratcher

 

Any chance its the fuel pump relay going bad??