Alright, heres my issue...I've had my runner for about 4 months now, and I LOVE it. When I first got it at 140k miles, I had ALL the maintenance done to it, trans. and engine and brakes checked, put new tires on, had all the belts changed, etc. It runs GREAT, but when I start it up, it sometimes takes a little bit of cranking before it starts...It has never failed to start, but when I turn the key, I want it to fire RIGHT up, not keep the key turned for 2-3 seconds before it starts.

I was thinking it could be the wrong battery, not enough CCA?

Any ideas?

test your fuel pump and line pressure, do a complete system cleaning, such as
BG

Even brand new vehicles take 2-3 seconds to start. My 4th gen 2006 starts in about 2 seconds. If you were cranking 5-6 seconds than I would check to see where you are losing fuel pressure. If your engine runs great and you're happy with your MPG don't fix what is not broken. Fuel pressure has to build up some PSI before the engine will start and 2-3 seconds is totally normal. Actually Toyota considers up to 10 seconds of cranking normal but no more than 15 seconds due to the possibility of overheating the starter. On the 4th gen there is a no hold starter feature which means that you do not have to hold the key in the start position. You just turn the key quickly and release and the starter cranks on it's own until the engine starts. On the 4th gen the starter will crank for 25 seconds by itself if the engine will not start. If you are holding the key in the start position the starter will crank for 30 seconds and then stop

well im not really worried about it, its just when i drive my dads 07 tundra, or my moms 07 sienna, or my friend 00 mustang, they all fire up in like a second...mine takes prolly 4 or 5 on occasion even...

Have your battery tested, maybe it's something as simple as that.

its just part of driving and older vehicle... not really fair to compare it to newer vechcles with different engines..

i had a honda that needed half a crank to fire up, and a chevy that needed 2 or 3, both lasted 190k and were going strong when i traded them

thanks a lot guys!

I'm having this same issue 4rnr4me. I'm doing alot of diagnostics and it's not the electrical. My battery, starter, alternator are all in good condition. Got those checked at 3 different shops. They said to Check the fuel pressure, fuel filter and maybe even the fuel injectors. A good way to test it from what I heard from a mechanic down the street is to turn the key to the "on" position" but not cranking it. Do that 3 times and then on the 4th time you put the key to the "on" position follow thru with a crank. If ur 4runner starts they said it could be a bad fuel pump. That advice doesn't really make sense to me yet because if it starts, then doesn't that mean its a good thing? Anyway, I'm in the process of figuring it out. I have an appointment with a shop for a tune up and they are gonna check my fuel pressure and filter for me. Hope that helps if you were still having that problem. I see that ur post was 2 years ago LOL

The reason they tell you to do that is because it will cycle the fuel pump several times allowing pressure to build up. If it starts, then you have narrowed it to a fuel delivery issue.

Does your 4runner click when you turn the key to on? Mine just clicks & sometimes the key wont turn in the ignition, which leads to the steering wheel locking up. Its like the key will go in, but it doesnt turn?

I to just started having the same issue on my 2000... Im at the same point you are with the Fuel system now as to everything else has checked out.. The only thing is that mine only does it if it sits outside in COLD(40 and lower) weather for longer than 10 minutes.. But now that it is warmer out I dont have the problem anymore. Did you find out anything about the Fuel Pump and or your fuel pressure?