If the Toyota Tacoma engine does not start even though the correct starting procedure has been followed, check the conditions below one by one. The symptoms that appear during the starting attempt can help narrow down the possible cause.
The engine will not start even though the starter motor operates normally.
If the starter motor cranks normally but the engine does not start, one of the following conditions may be responsible:
- There may not be enough fuel remaining in the vehicle's fuel tank.
Refuel the vehicle and attempt to start the engine again using the normal procedure.
- The engine may be flooded.
Wait as necessary, then try starting the engine again while carefully following the specified starting procedure.
- A malfunction may have occurred in the engine immobilizer system, preventing normal engine starting.
The starter motor turns over slowly, the interior lights and headlights are dim, or the horn does not sound or sounds at a low volume.
These symptoms generally indicate that electrical power available for starting the engine is insufficient. One of the following may be causing the problem:
- The battery may be discharged and unable to supply adequate electrical power to the starter motor and other vehicle systems.
- The battery terminal connections may be loose, corroded, or otherwise unable to provide a reliable electrical connection.
The starter motor does not turn over
If the starter motor does not operate at all, the Toyota Tacoma starting system may have an electrical malfunction. Possible causes include depletion of the electronic key battery or a blown fuse. Even when normal starting is unavailable, an emergency procedure can be used as a temporary method of starting the engine under certain conditions.
The starter motor does not turn over, the interior lights and headlights do not turn on, or the horn does not sound.
If none of these electrical functions operate, check for one of the following possible causes:
- The vehicle battery may be completely or substantially discharged.
- One or both battery terminals may be disconnected, preventing electrical power from reaching the vehicle systems.
If the cause cannot be corrected, or if you are uncertain how to perform the necessary repair safely, contact your Toyota dealer rather than continuing repeated starting attempts.
Emergency start function
If the engine will not start through the normal procedure, the following steps may be used as a temporary emergency measure, provided that the engine switch itself is functioning normally.
Use this starting method only when necessary in an emergency. It is not intended to replace diagnosis or repair of the underlying starting-system problem.
1. Pull the parking brake switch and confirm that the parking brake is securely applied before attempting the emergency start procedure.
2. Confirm that the shift lever is in P on a Toyota Tacoma with an automatic transmission, or in N on a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission.
3. Turn the engine switch to ACC*1, 2.
4. Firmly depress and hold the brake pedal on vehicles with an automatic transmission, or the clutch pedal on vehicles with a manual transmission. While keeping the appropriate pedal fully depressed, press and hold the engine switch for approximately 15 seconds.
Even if the engine starts successfully using this emergency procedure, a malfunction may still be present in the starting system. Have the Toyota Tacoma inspected by your Toyota dealer so the cause can be diagnosed and corrected.
*1: ACC mode can be enabled or disabled through the customize menu, depending on the selected vehicle settings.
*2: If ACC mode has been disabled, turn the engine switch to ON and then OFF. Perform the next step within 5 seconds after switching the engine off.
If you lose your keys
Your Toyota dealer can make new genuine keys using another available key together with the key number stamped on the key number plate.
Store the key number plate in a secure location away from the vehicle, such as in your wallet, so that it remains available if replacement keys are ever required.
NOTICE
When an electronic key is lost
If an electronic key remains missing, the risk of unauthorized access to or theft of the vehicle increases significantly. Visit your Toyota dealer as soon as possible and bring every remaining electronic key, together with the card key if equipped, that was originally supplied with the vehicle. This allows the lost-key situation to be addressed without unnecessary delay.
