Trying to find a relatable tshoot thread for my issues and this one is the closest I’ve found so far... my 97 limited has been occasionally having prolonged cranking issues, no fire. Sometimes I’ll start it 10-15 times or more with no issues, and sometimes it won’t start at all. I did the switcharoo with the EFI relay (under dash and in bay panel) and that worked for a couple of weeks, but now it’s having the issues more frequently. Seems like it happens on sloped surfaces more than flat, so I reckon I’m gonna check the pump tomorrow morning. Any other suggestions?

This might be a more appropriate thread to post on since I have similar ish issue:

I'm trying to find more diagnostic troubleshooting for my car.

It cranks strong but no start. Checked for spark by pulling the plug and boot and holding in on a ground (frame) and it does a 1 small spark and done.
I believe it's supposed to continue sparking right???

So it doesn't seem like the fuel....can I rule out a bad pump already???

Can anyone tell me what other LIST of stuff i need to check which might cause the 1 small spark?

I noted down the stuff people said in this thread and will report back on this. (EFI relay / ground / vacuum lines / MAF etc.) just curious if there's any more..

I am having the same issue on a 2000 i just purchased. Older owner is saying his kid says the one of the keys are bad, Car runs great but when i turn off and go to start cranks strong no ignition, after a couple tries it starts right up.
Would love to understand why I am having this issue.
Anyone else have any luck on a definitive answer?

The other key maybe on it's way out too. there is a small battery in the key (non serviceable ) from what I have been told.

So after my mechanic/mechanics across the street tried to diagnose my issue a couple posts above, the conclusion was something to do with the immobilizer.

Because apparently remote start works 100% of the time, and with the key, it was working like 20% of the time. They didn't charge me for diagnose fee.

They couldn't test further because I only had 2 keys, and the other one is being used for my remote start (already buried somewhere deep in that kick panel)

So what I did is I bought these exact keys from eBay (NEW REPLACEMENT TOYOTA 4C CHIP TRANSPONDER MASTER IGNITION KEY FOR 89785-26020 | eBay)

Then I used these steps to program them myself after my mechanic's friend cut the key for me (also no charge )

2000 4Runner Key Programming Instructions

Worked instantly.

However, to get to the point, I didn't encounter the starting issue again, and it's been at least 2k miles.

But at least I learned something new and now have 2 extra master keys in case they need to diagnose further.

The only thing I can think of is that I was low on gas when they were diagnosing it (I think the low gas light was on) and when I picked it up, I filled up gas right there since it was the mechanics from the gas station across my regular mechanic. I did try going low on gas again to see if it'll occur but it hasn't yet.

Similar story:

2000 SR5 V6 4x4 auto

Engine turns but won't catch.

Code reader is coming back with "error" which is a first for me.

Vacume lines look ok. I did have a period where it was occasionally difficult to start. That was eventually solved with new plugs and wires. I did have a P0171 & 420 code a few months ago that were resolved with a new MAF and TB cleaning. Vehicle has 225k and original CAT so a clogged CAT is a possibility, but the error on the scanner is confusing me. Thinking of testing the CPS and then looking into testing the fuel pump (never messed with one of those before).

Plug a code reader in and check for rpms. when you crack and you see rpms that's good. If you crack and it says 0 rpm while cranking the crank sensor failed. If the computer doesn't see rpm it will not kick on the fuel pump.

My code reader (innova 3030+) is giving me an "error" message. Its a super old reader so I just picked up a innova 3040RS. It says it can't connect. I've found a few other threads with this issue so I'm going to see where those lead me.