Engine turns over, wont start

Ive only owned my 2006 trd off road for a few weeks, and this morning the truck wont start. It turns over, but wont fire up. I gave it a few tries and it wont go. Not sure where to start diagnosing. My buddy recommended getting a scanner tool to see whats up, but should i just tow it to a shop? I don't think it's a battery, because the engine turns over.

 

Did you put gas in it? jkjk....is it getting spark? Poor compression? Get a volt meter to be absolutely certain it's not the battery because you could have just enough juice to get it to turn over...always start with the easiest, especially if you aren't 100% user.

 

Haha its got gas, ill get a volt meter, thank you.

 

Is your security light next to the clock flashing with the key on?

 

Everyone should own one. Still, if you don’t think the battery has been changed in 5+ years, just buy a new one. Youll need to eventually anyway.

 

Try a different key, or at least just the key with no rings, other keys, remotes, or key chains on it; just the bare key.

If the key has a dimple in the shank near the head it's got a transponder chip in it and sometimes they get fussy with other junk around.

I had a car come in to the dealer with a bedazzled keyhole that was interfering with the signal and causing the same issue your describe, turn over no start.

Like below, not my photo but basically the same as what we got.

 

I got a ride to work, so i cant check at the moment. Ill report back tonight.

 

Ill try another key as well, thanks!

 

Check that first, if that's not it get an assistant to bang on the bottom of the gas tank while your cranking and see if it takes off. If it does you need a fuel pump, if it doesn't there's a connector behind the drivers side kick panel that is known to develop a bad connection to the fuel pump.

I'll post some diagrams tonight if I remember.

 

Ok, just got home, and checked to see if the security light was flashing with the key on and it was. I tried to turn the truck on and it fired right up. I'm very thankful but also confused?

 

Transponder recognition issue most likely or doubtful but someone could have tried to start the truck with the wrong key or no key at all and tripped the security.

Often times if you try to start it too many times when it's having an issue, or if for some reason it doesn't recognize the key or sometimes when you don't turn it over completely like if they key slips in your fingers it will trip the security time out and it will not start (cuts spark and fuel) for 15-30 minutes.

 

This is good to know. I'm wondering if something may be wrong with my keyhole? I've noticed i can pull the key out when it is set in the ACC position, is that normal?

 

That doesn't seem to be the case with a Tacoma or at least mine, I did some experimentation on the immobilizer on mine when I was trying to help someone else with a crank-no start and it will set a code with an invalid or no key detected but as soon as it sees a valid key it will start the truck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...wont-start-thread.751400/page-4#post-26773011

 

No it's not, you should only be able to remove the key with the ignition off, sounds like your lock cylinder and/or key is worn out but the immobilizer may be a separate issue.
It's interesting that the truck started when the security light was flashing unless it picked up the signal after you checked the light.
Do you have a spare key you can try if it happens again?

 

Definitely not normal, your cylinder may have been forced before, are you the original owner of the truck? Has it ever been stolen or repo'ed?

It could just be worn out and that could definitely cause the security timer to trip. Cylinders often get worn out when people have too much junk hanging off the key, the weight side loads the internal pins and juggling up and down as your drive wears them out.

Unfortunately the only place to get a replacement cylinder is from the dealer and you'ed then have two keys for your truck, one to start and one for everything else.

Honestly I'd probably just leave it as is make sure you don't have much hanging off your key and that it's fully seated in the ignition when turning it over.

My guess is when you tried to start it it wasn't fully engaged and one of the lock pins wasn't in the correct position but the cylinder rotated due to wear and that tripped the security.

 

I am the second owner of the truck, and i do have quite a few things hanging on my key chain these days. Never thought that could cause a problem!

 

I do have a spare key, I might keep in the truck temporarily in case this happens again.

 

Also if your not the original owner make sure there's no aftermarket security/remote start shenanigans going on under the dash, that stuff can cause all kinds of issues when it acts up.

 

Forgive my noobness but how exactly do i check for that kind of thing? Thank you for your help.

 

Look for a rat nest of wiring under the dash near the steering column that's poorly installed and not all neatly taped up like factory wiring, that's how 90% of the ones I see are installed.