Do you have a Toyota that fails to start intermittently?

Likely its the circuit opening relay. Its what receives the start signal from the ignition swtich and turns on the fuel pump while cranking. It also takes an input from the air flow meter that is active when the ignition is on (if air is flowing, then the engine is obviously running). On the earlier trucks its a simple matter of installing a jumper to bypass the cranking signal:

on the Tacomas, you basically need to swap out the CO relay. I just helpeda T-100 owner work through this very problem and a new relay fixed it. It seemsthe secondary winding on the CO relay is the weak point. In the above case, therelay was tested outside the vehicle on three separate occassions and seemed to be fine, but would act up again once installed.

Here's the final reply I got from this person:

you because it is you and your article that led me to investigate the c.o.r. I replaced it with a new one ($85) even though the old one tested out three times to be okay (strange). But

I seem to have this problem occasionally with my '02 4Runner which has the 3.4 liter V-6 ... Just remembering to hold the key in the START position a few seconds longer seems to work. My other vehicle is a Ford Taurus which seems to starts nearly instantly without much cranking.

Haven't had the dealer check it yet ... At this point, it's just a minor pain.

Chuck D.

Sound like a start relay fault. Some vehicles have a Time Delay Relay that requires a certain length of time in the on position before they latch. You may have a faulty relay.

Tony

My 01 Tundra has been towed in 3 times for this !!!!

They replaced the fuel pump the first time and the next 2 times they claim it JUST STARTED and they cannot find anything wrong. This is 3 diffrent dealerships in NYC area.

Andy

Easy one, your short cycling it. Either not cranking it long enough till it starts, or when it does start, you turn it off shortly, this creates an extra rich condition which floods it. Push the throttle to the floor and crank till it starts, but do let up when it does. New Tundras will crank on their own after you bump the key. I'm suprised your dealer doesnt know this? I see this more often when its cold.

I've been having a starting problem with my 2000 Tundra also. Before I found this site I hit the FAQs and there was a section there that discussed a computer that apparently wasn't fast enough if the key is turned to the start postion too quickly. Recently I've been running a test: turning the ignition to the on position for "half a sec" and then to the start position. So far so good. Since I haven't had to make any 'dramatic escapes' lately, this little pause hasn't been a problem, and thus far seems to be the solution that works.

JohnW