Toyota Tundra starting problems

2 messages, Last post on Jan 19, 2008 at 11:53 AM

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#1 of 2 Tundra starter problems by tjrphx Jan 19, 2008 (11:53 am)
I have a low miles (20K) 2004 Tundra with the 4.7 L V8 (2UZ-FE engine code) with the 4sp auto trans. I bought it new in Aug. '04 and as soon as the winter weather arrived & temps dropped below 40-50 f, (I live in Phoenix, AZ. That IS winter weather), the truck wouldn't start without re-trying 2 to several times, turning key off to start positions. And it was very intermittant. It would perform perfectly for the Toyota tech every time. So they replaced the battery. A few days later, same problem. Back to Toyota, No solution. I've been putting up with it ever since. It seems the starter is computor controlled. If you just bump the start position when you turn the key, the starter will keep cranking until the engine fires. Conversly, if you hold the key in the start position too long, the starter will stop and disengage as soon as the engine fires. Smart starter, huh! Has anybody else had this problem? Does anybody know where the "smart" circuit is or what chip controls the starter motor? I gotta get this fixed while I'm still on warranty, Two days ago it took me about twenty minutes to get it started. Before it was just a nuisance, now it's a problem. And the tech at the dealer seems to be in the dark as to where the fault is. Does anybody know of a Toyota tech help phone number? I'm not optimistic about talking the dealers service dept. into replacing the CPU that manages the engine. $$$$$!

#1 of 2: Tundra starter problems by tjrphx; Jan 19, 2008 (11:53 am)

I have a low miles (20K) 2004 Tundra with the 4.7 L V8 (2UZ-FE engine code) with the 4sp auto trans. I bought it new in Aug. '04 and as soon as the winter weather arrived & temps dropped below 40-50 f, (I live in Phoenix, AZ. That IS winter weather), the truck wouldn't start without re-trying 2 to several times, turning key off to start positions. And it was very intermittant. It would perform perfectly for the Toyota tech every time. So they replaced the battery. A few days later, same problem. Back to Toyota, No solution. I've been putting up with it ever since.

It seems the starter is computor controlled. If you just bump the start position when you turn the key, the starter will keep cranking until the engine fires. Conversly, if you hold the key in the start position too long, the starter will stop and disengage as soon as the engine fires. Smart starter, huh!

Has anybody else had this problem? Does anybody know where the "smart" circuit is or what chip controls the starter motor? I gotta get this fixed while I'm still on warranty, Two days ago it took me about twenty minutes to get it started. Before it was just a nuisance, now it's a problem. And the tech at the dealer seems to be in the dark as to where the fault is. Does anybody know of a Toyota tech help phone number?

I'm not optimistic about talking the dealers service dept. into replacing the CPU that manages the engine. $$$$$!