Intermittent Starting Issue (x-posted from Sequoia side)

Good morning.

I am writing because i cannot seem to track down the reason for an issue i have had for several months.

(2008 5.7L 4x4 Limited 170,000 miles for reference)

In the mornings when i go to start my vehicle, it does not start.
After several attempts, it turns over. It does not usually give me trouble for the rest of the day.

This was much worse a few months ago before I got another key cut by Toyota.

I took it to a shop and they replaced my crankshaft sensor - once with an aftermarket one, and then replaced with a toyota one because the aftermarket one "was not playing nice".

This did not fix the issue. The problem is when i take it there for them to check it out, the truck magically turns over for them.

I have heard that replacing the starter relay may help the problem, i have not tried that yet.

In the past 6 months i have
• replaced a cracked battery cable - shop could not track down this problem either
• replaced fuel pump (was not doing this before that)
• changed all spark plugs (was doing this before spark plugs were replaced)

all work done by shops

Has anyone experienced this problem or have a fix? I do not believe it is the starter.
It is throwing no codes, there are no lights.

Any help is appreciated

 

I have a similar problem with my 2015 Tundra, sometimes it will make no attempt at turning over, then an hour or a day later it cranks right up. It may go 2 months between incidents or a 2 days. I had it towed to a dealer and they couldn't replicate the problem , it started right up for them. They could find nothing wrong with it. I replaced the starter relay, a month later I discovered it didn't solve the problem. I am looking at replacing the starter next.

 

Do you have an FFV 5.7? @AZBoatHauler and @ToyoMafia had issues with the alcohol density readings or some other wizardry and were able to fix things with Techstream.

 

The flex fuel issue will allow the truck to crank hard - it just doesn’t fire. This sounds like it won’t crank or does it crank and just not fire?

No crank would have me looking at immobilizer, crank and cam position sensors, starter relay.

 

It won't even try to crank, then 5 minutes or a day later it cranks right up.

 

Any change if you shift it out of park and back in? Maybe something is up with the neutral sensor?

 

Nope I've tried that as well , no luck.

 

Following, same issue off and on with my 07

 

Next day or so Im changing the ignition and if that doesn't work ,the starter is next.

 

Sound's like you have starter going bad. If I understand correctly you turn the key to start and nothing happens no turn over or anything? If that is the case I would go with a starter. PIA to do, but that is what I fixed and have had no issues since (knock on wood).

 

I would say starter too, but first do this.
When you have a no crank no start. Jump the starter relay. See what happens. If it turns over, turns on, it may be ground issue from the ignition to the fuse box. If you hear it click and nothing, you have verifies the starter is dead. You may need to look up which 2 prongs to jump. I don't remember which ones they were, this is how I verified my starter was dead.
My Celica does the same. I jump the relay with a wire and it comes to life. Someone in the NewCelica forum figured out it's a ground, but I don't remember which one atm.

edit: spelling.

 

Seems like most people get around 200k from the starter. It will go bad eventually.

 

Thank you for the replies - was finally able to take it to the shop and have them replicate the issue again, so waiting to hear back from them. The crank shaft position sensor which they replaced seems to not be the fix. will update for those in the same boat when i get some info

 

Any update on this? I just started to experience this same issue.... I'm thinking that my chipped master key is going the way of the dodo bird... I have the spare key, and I haven't encountered the issue, except last night, when I used the black key first, and when it failed to start, no click, no crank just a dark dash with all the Christmas lights on, and the red car with a key lit on. It took me about 8 tries with the spare for it to come on... Like you have to give it a minute before you try another key. It started right up with the spare, have been using the spare with no issues whatsoever.