Check engine starting system...

Hello All.
I did a quick search and did not find anything on this one... I am at work, my wife is driving the 2018 OR... She goes to start it, starts fine, moves our son's car, gets in the Taco and it isn't running. She presses the "START" button and... Click, click, click start. Sounds like a battery no? I know it is freaking cold out but a brand spankim new truck. Bad battery?
Do you have any experience or advice?

Thank you.

Rich

 

She has the key with her right?

 

This may be obvious but here goes anyway.

1. Make sure key is within 3-4 feet of the driver seat
2. Hold brake pedal down
3. Press Start

 

Hello again...

I thought about the key and was going to ask her but she is a pretty smart and with it girl so I didn't ask... I will now. Thank you.

Will report back after I ask her...

Rich

 

It's probably in her bag and she tossed it in the back seat just out of reach for the sensors to pick up.

Keep us posted!

 

She started it first and it died? Why start again?

 

Hello.
She did/does have the key on her person during the whole event. She took our sons car. I have the Scangauge II and a battery load tester. I will check the charging system and the battery when I get home from work later. To be continued... Thank you.

Dacon.

You don't try to restart a car when it dies?...

Sincerely,
Rich

 

Just confused of the time line.
She started the truck OK, left it running to move the other car, returned to the truck and is dead. Does not restart now.
Once the engine is running, the battery is not needed, is running off the alternator. Why dead?

 

How long did it sit after it died? If it dies, should push/start button completely off first, then try to restart. Suggested not to just restart without shut completely off first.

 

I am sorry. The way she explained it was... Started truck (running and OK). moved son's car, went back to truck (not running), pressed button (click, click, click...Vrrrooommmm) started and was running fine but flashed warning, "Check engine start system" as it was clicking to start... She turned the truck off, left it there and took our sons car.

Sorry Dacon and thanks for your interest and help.

Sincerely,

 

I would think that if the starter was clicking the start signal was getting to the starter (like the key in the start position on an older car). Could be that the battery only had enough to start it the first time and dropped to a low enough voltage that the truck shut itself down, which would point to the alternator not charging the battery. Then again it could be a connection (ground or positive) somewhere. Sounds like you know what to look for when you get home. Good luck and hope it's an easy find.

 

Dirty cable connections.? (common item...they look good.. but)
Terminals corroded..?
Battery out/low on water...?

That's my first place to look.... then run a voltage test while trying to start...!

 

Hello All.
Busy weekend and here is my report back on this situation...

Checked battery connections - OK. Checked battery load test - Solid in the green. using Scangauge checked output voltage - 13.8, good.

Started a few times just fine.

Not sure what happened with my wife starting the truck Friday morning but it was bitterly cold that morning and all week long. Single digit temp with wind chill way below zero. I am thinking one way or another, that had something to do with it. Will keep an eye on it but will assume for now, it was just a fluke. Thanks for all of your help.

Sincerely,
Rich