Q: Starter cranks forever before the engine turns over

asked by on November 06, 2015

I am pretty frustrated with the starter in my 2008 Toyota Tundra. It takes a long time to start the engine, and it has gotten worse over the last few months. The truck isn’t very old and has 85,000 miles on it. Now it takes like 10-15 seconds to start up after the key is turned. Is this causing damage to something or is it just annoying?

Your issue doesn’t appear to be a starter problem. The starter’s only job is to crank the engine. And from your description it is doing that (unless it is cranking very slow). Your problem seems to be that the engine is not starting or firing up until it is cranked for an extended time. If this is the case, an inspection by a certified mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, would be necessary to properly diagnose the starting problem.

It would be wise for the mechanic to pay close attention to what exactly is happening during this cranking period as it would provide valuable information, possibly leading to the source of the problem. Things such as ignition faults, a faulty crankshaft or camshaft sensor or delayed fuel pressure, can all contribute to the symptoms you are experiencing. Take your truck to an auto-tech specialist like YourMechanic and have them assess what is happening with your engine control system during this delayed start period. Keep in mind that it could take some time to isolate the source of your problem.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

How do I open the RamBox side storage units?
The RamBox side storage units allow you to have extra storage in the bed of your truck. The storage boxes are on both sides of the bed of the truck, and offer protected and waterproof storage space. To open the...
AC not working and car overheating.
The AC and cooling are two separate systems, so these are likely two separate issues. That is unless, your serpentine belt is misadjusted or broken. Both the AC and water pump are driven off this belt. A trained technician, like...
Car cuts off while driving
The are dozens of potential causes for your issue. Since the problem goes away after the vehicle sit and cools down, my guess is that the problem is electrical. This is because electrical resistance goes up when heat increases. When...
Codes p0441 and p0089
Those faults are two totally separate issues. The P0441 is an evaporative emissions system fault, and the P0089 is a fuel pressure regulation fault. This generation of Audi A4 was notorious for high pressure fuel pump problems. There were multiple...
oil is entering through throttle body and smoking from exhaust after pcv valve
Hello there, a few different faults can cause oil to be burned and white smoke to be seen. The most common would be excessive blow by, an intake leak, failed PCV valve or valve stem seal. A qualified technician such...
Relay keeps getting hot and turning truck off
Hello. Your vehicle has over ten identical relays in the vehicle. You will need to be more specific with what relay is overheating. The most likely cause of an overheating relay would be a fuel pump relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-relay-replacement) getting hot...
Car stumbles at idle but fine when drive or push gas peddle
Hello, thank you for writing in. There are a huge number of components that can contribute to a rough idle. Always start by scanning the vehicle for diagnostic codes regardless of a warning light being on. If no codes come...
2008 Honda Accord 3.5L V6. Check engine light on and code p0430. I have tried cataclean and discovered kicks in the engine.
Hi Ugochukwu. In order to get rid of any error code, you need to first discover why it was triggered in the first place. The P0430 code is set when the ECU detects below threshold performance from the catalytic converter....
My mechanic installed a crate jasper and now my intake manifold has cracked. Is this their fault
Many cars and trucks now have plastic intake manifolds and I believe your F150 is one of them. They crack, it's a simple fact of life. The plastic is pretty good, much better than the plastics of decades ago, but...

Related articles

What Does It Mean When My Car Is "Burning" Oil?
Burning oil is usually caused by leaking oil that burns up on hot engine or exhaust components. Fix leaking oil to prevent expensive car repairs.
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re a Photographer
If If you are a photographer, and you’re considering buying a used car, the big thing to consider is the type of photography you do. Thanks to the advances in digital photography, chances are you’re not hauling around a lot...
How to Use Intelligent Parking Assist in a Toyota Prius
The The Toyota Prius is an innovative vehicle packed with features that make your driving experience smoother and easier. One such feature is the Intelligent Parking Assist which helps a driver to properly center the Prius in a parking spot....