My 4Runner Won't Always Start

[fxoffroad]

I have a 2010 Limited. Last week while out in a remote area of Colorado I attempted to start the vehicle - with no luck. When I push the button, the warning lights and nav light up, but then when I pushed the button to start - everything goes black. This happened 4 times before it (luckily) started.

Not sure that it would matter - but I had been in H4L most of the day and in L4L a lot.

So come back to the city - everything is fine all last week - then I head back up again this week and the same scenario happens again. Fortunately it started again.

Any help, suggestions or ideas is greatly appreciated.

A few images from that day...

 

[harper7]

I have a 2010 Limited. Last week while out in a remote area of Colorado I attempted to start the vehicle - with no luck. When I push the button, the warning lights and nav light up, but then when I pushed the button to start - everything goes black. This happened 4 times before it (luckily) started.

Not sure that it would matter - but I had been in H4L most of the day and in L4L a lot.

So come back to the city - everything is fine all last week - then I head back up again this week and the same scenario happens again. Fortunately it started again.

Any help, suggestions or ideas is greatly appreciated.

A few images from that day...

Put your foot on the brake when starting! jk

First,you need to check if any trouble codes were stored on the ECU.
Is your truck totally stock?

 

[Quentin]

My mom's push button start Rav has had a similar thing happen. Turns out in the owner's manual, it recommends not letting the fob get really hot and touch metal. Did you try holding the fob up right next to the button when you started? From what I recall, that is the fix if the battery is dying or you are getting interference.

i.e. Read the manual and see if there is a comment about it. I have the old fashioned key.

 

[fxoffroad]

Is your truck totally stock?

Yeah - totally and completely stock. I'm going to get it serviced in the next couple of weeks. Problem is, I prefer to spend time in the mountains more than the dealership... even if it means I might get stuck in the mountains. Pathetic, eh?

 

[bamma]

Did you try replacing the battery in your FOB? Like a previous user said, if the FOB is dead/dying you can still start the truck by holding the toyota logo on the FOB on the start button as you push it in.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

When I am out in the desert by myself I do not shut the 4runner off until I am back to civilization. This will not work if you are camping but I like to eliminate having to start the engine in a remorte area without any help around.

 

[fxoffroad]

I keep my key in my pocket or in the armrest. It just seems strange - that its happened twice in the mountains (about a week apart) but not in the city.

I'll have the dealer get the codes pulled and replace the FOB batteries - which is probably the issue. Thanks for the feedback.

The bigger issue is ytf I'm going off-road with stock Yokos.

My mom's push button start Rav has had a similar thing happen. Turns out in the owner's manual, it recommends not letting the fob get really hot and touch metal. Did you try holding the fob up right next to the button when you started? From what I recall, that is the fix if the battery is dying or you are getting interference.

i.e. Read the manual and see if there is a comment about it. I have the old fashioned key.

 

[Barry694]

Not starting

I had a Toyota and a Lexus that from time to time would not start on my property using the push button "smart key". In that case you hold the smart key against the button and push and it will start. Never once did it fail to start once I left my property. Could have been something that occassionally would interfere with the signal it was sending. This may be a possibilty with your vehicle. Toyota and Lexus service could find no codes for this. Toyota even keep the car there and for four consecutive days they tried once in the morning and once in the afternoon and it started every time. Just a thought!

 

[Okki]

Along the lines of the "foot on brake" comment, the truck will not start when it's not in park, although it will go into "Accessory" power mode. You may want to make sure the shift lever is properly in the "Park" position.

The next check would be the fob battery that has been discussed.

Okki

 

[fxoffroad]

I don't think its the Key Fob. Today I turned on it on to the "accessory state" and then put the key away from the 4R. Then I attempted to start it and the "key not present" light, lit up. When its happened in the mountains - everything just goes dead.

And its not being in park or depressing the break. So something is strange.

Hopefully the dealer can do what Harper suggested and check for trouble codes.

Side note: Tonight when I was getting out of my Lexus tonight - the vehicle said "Key Battery Low."

 

[Qjake]

If you push the small "key" button on the side of the FOB you can pull out the emergency key.

You could attempt to start the vehicle with the key instead of the FOB and see if that works. It might show whether or not it is just the FOB is being problematic. Double check the manual on how to use the key. I'm pretty sure I read you can do it, but I don't remember how.

The E-key is only for opening the drivers door there is no keyed ignition in the Limited. Just FYI

@OP, have the dealer check it out. Seems to be an intermittent problem and just coincidence it happened twice while off road.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Loose/ corroded battery cable or connection?

 

[minizoom]

Did you ever find out what was the problem? My 2014 SR5 randomly won't start on the first turn of the key, no click or anything. The second turn it would start as normal. Already changed the truck battery. Truck as 31,xxx miles.