Occasional long crank
 

O.P.
Hi guys Ive got a small issue that is frustrating me on my 2012 Toyota GT 86 Manual Transmission.

When I start the car, if I do not turn the key to on and wait to hear the fuel pump prime, the car will take 3-5 seconds of cranking before turning over.

If I turn the key to on and wait to hear the fuel pump prime before cranking, 90% of the time it turns over fine in like half a second of cranking but even with priming the fuel pump sometimes I get the occasional long crank (although not as long) of about 2 seconds.

Ive checked the batteries / air filter as those are the most accessible parts.

Im thinking it has something to do with fuel pressure / fuel filter maybe ? However, I do not have any other issues with the car (stalling / rough idling / low acceleration) that usually comes with a clogged filter / low fuel pressure. Once it starts it runs perfectly fine and I have even run an OBD diagnostic scanner and nothing shows up. Sensors etc. all working fine with PASS on various tests. No CEL/MIL litted on dash

Before I go spending money on getting parts replaced Id like to try and narrow down the problem area though. Any thoughts ?

considering year of vehicle it could be related to this TSB from 2013

https://subaru.oemdtc.com/TSB/11-130-13R.pdf

Hello jaseow and welcome to the gang - :clap:

Question: How old is your battery? If you make a lot of short trips, your battery may not be fully charged. My 2013 was getting slow to start till I put a charge on the battery, now it spins right up. You may wish to check your battery to make sure it's carrying a full charge.


humfrz

Thanks. The battery was the first thing I checked at the local shop that does free battery inspections / test.

Tests shows up fine and I saw the voltmeter show a 12.6v reading as he was doing the testing

Considering the car is out of warranty and it doesnt specifically cover the toyota 86 what are the chances I can get the local dealer to do the extra work for this particular TSB

It's very common for cars to need the fuel pump to prime before starting, I don't think you're experiencing anything out of the ordinary.

If thats ordinary it means every owner on this forum HAS to prime their fuel pump before starting their cars or they get a extended crank too? I have a few friends with BRZ’s / 86 (and I 2 other vehicles) who can turn the key in one swift motion to start their car straight away like any other modern vehicle without having to turn the key to ON and waiting a few seconds while the fuel pump primes


Its not a huge inconvenience or anything but it just annoys me as it makes me feel like the car working perfect.

Well, my 2013 FR-S seems to start up within a few revolutions whether I hesitate or not.

I reckon as long as it starts, you really shouldn't be annoyed.

Being annoyed was when the engine kicked the crank back and knocked you off your feet. I learned the hard way, that once you set the crank and jump up and then down on it - JUMP BACK! - :eyebulge:


humfrz

Sometimes she is ready to go with a short crank, sometimes a long crank. Wait, are we talking women or cars?

Sounds to me like a dying battery.
Mine was taking longer to start every week, eventually I had to jumpstart every other week till I just bought a new one.
But that was just my case.

Batteries need to be checked under load. It shouldn't drop below 10v under load for 30 sec and should return to about the same voltage. Ideally you use a load tester but you can have someone crank the car while it is being checked with a volt meter in a pinch.

:slap: this is a car forum, stay focused - :sigh:


humfrz

staying focused is against the rules. I swear I read that somewhere.

Are their cars warm or cold when they show you this?

Yes every morning my car will start like you describe, it's been that way the whole time I've owned it, 6 years 77k miles.
The Nissan pickup truck I had before operated exactly the same, the family Honda does the same as well.