Tech Tip: Toyota Tacoma starts, runs, stalls

Jan. 7, 2025

The truck was towed in because the engine would start and run but then die a few seconds later.

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The technician noted that the engine would keep running when starting fluid was sprayed into the intake manifold; this suggested that the ignition system wasn’t an issue. He checked the fuel pump pressure and noticed that, when cranking, the fuel pressure was about 45 psi. After the engine started, the pressure dropped to nearly 5 psi. After the engine stalled, the fuel pressure bounced back to 40 psi. The same symptoms were repeated several times.

At first, the technician thought it could be the fuel pressure regulator, but it checked out okay. An ALLDATA Tech-Assist consultant was called, and he advised checking the fuel pump resistor, which is located near the left front headlight.

Using an ohmmeter, the technician measured the resistance between the two terminals. The resistance was supposed to be between 0.71 to 0.75 ohms. This resistor measured zero (0) ohms.

Confirmed repair

The technician replaced the fuel pump resistor and that solved the problem. Easy fix!

About the Author

ALLDATA Tech-Assist Team

The ALLDATA Tech-Assist Diagnostic team is a group of top-notch ASE Master Technicians who have devoted numerous years to the automotive industry as independent shop and dealership technicians, shop owners and a many of them have also been automotive instructors.

Each team member is passionate about helping technicians of all skill levels get vehicles diagnosed and repaired quickly and correctly the first time. Because they help diagnose such a large number of vehicles every day, they are a wealth of experience-based diagnostic knowledge.