Roll/Push Start 150 Series Manual Diesel Prado?

[LeadWings Member Find all posts View Profile Close LeadWings]

I did a search and didn't find any answers, so if this has been covered before please re-direct me.

We have just bought a new 150 Series Manual Diesel Prado, which has the push button start. So my question is can you roll/tow start it? Eg battery to low to start and no jumper leads.

I am guessing clutch out (so it doesn't try to start), push the start button twice so the dash lights up, push the clutch in, get the vehicle moving, let the clutch out? Anyone know if this works?

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Good question, can't answer other than suggest jumper leads or one of those magic lithium backups stowed somewhere.

[Leethal Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Leethal]

One issue modern computer controlled engines have with flat batteries and starting is the shut down voltage.
The engine computer will have a specific voltage below which it will "protect" itself and shutdown (Turn itself off).
What this voltage is for a Toyota I don't know but if you have a flat battery below say 12 volts or maybe 11.5 volts the engine computer will not function, therefore even if you are turning the engine over (pushing or towing the vehicle) it will not start.

As posted above maybe carry a small "power pack" to energise the engine ecu so it will start when turning over.
That said I know of some diesels that need the cranking signal to/from the ecu before the injectors will function.

Lee

All the more reason to have a dual battery system properly set-up with a jump facility.

[LeadWings Member Find all posts View Profile Close LeadWings]

Thanks for the replies. I am aware of the options, I am just trying to get my head around how many of the "bush tricks and fixes" won't work with this new fandangled car I've bought.

The scenario I'm thinking is the battery is very low so it doesn't have enough umph to start the car (ie kick out hundreds of amps), but does have the capacity to feed the computer/injectors etc. No jumper leads, no second battery, no magic starter box (these are all what I would consider essential for going bush, but as I say above I'm trying to find out constraints of the vehicle's systems). It's parked on a hill - so can I roll start it?

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Might I suggest you simply park it on a hill with the ignition on and just try it in the 'real world'?

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Might I suggest you simply park it on a hill with the ignition on and just try it in the 'real world'?

Yes, would answer the question of can you roll start it with a good battery and lets say a dead starter motor but does not answer the question of would it start with a dead battery. If LeadWings has the time is should be easy to borrow a stuffed battery from a battery shop, drive to a suitable hill, swap out the good battery for the old and see what happens. Can't see it doing any harm, would suggest 3rd or even 4th gear.

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

The scenario I'm thinking is the battery is very low so it doesn't have enough umph to start the car (ie kick out hundreds of amps), but does have the capacity to feed the computer/injectors etc.

The scenario is as LeadWings has posted and can be easily tested as proposed.

If the battery was 'dead' flat I'd doubt the option of a push start is viable...

[LeadWings Member Find all posts View Profile Close LeadWings]

Might I suggest you simply park it on a hill with the ignition on and just try it in the 'real world'?

Yes I plan to, but I thought I would consult the wider knowledge base in case anyone already knew the answer or advised against it due to the Prado brain having a fit if you force start it.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

The scenario is as LeadWings has posted and can be easily tested as proposed.

If the battery was 'dead' flat I'd doubt the option of a push start is viable...

Am I missing something? as far as I can tell LeadWings does not have a flat battery. Not enough grunt to turn over on my D4D is what I call a stuffed battery about 10.8V Would this be sufficient to feed the other needs during a push start?

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

it is an interesting question

half the reason i brought the manual was for partly the same reason
flat battery, it could be pull started
if something major happens it can be towed

now thinking out loud, would the engine have too much compression to do this?

someone need to turn off their car while rolling down an incline and then with the ign on pop out the clutch to see if it will turn over and fire up


i have flatten my battery twice by leaving a door open & the key in the acc spot with the radio on
but having the duel battery i just pushed the link button on the redarc and joined the 2 batteries and it fired up
( i also have one of those jump packs that i never seam to carry with me !!)
(must charge it again and add it to the car as the boat suffered last weekend, could have used it then !!)

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

it is an interesting question

half the reason i brought the manual was for partly the same reason
flat battery, it could be pull started
if something major happens it can be towed

now thinking out loud, would the engine have too much compression to do this?

someone need to turn off their car while rolling down an incline and then with the ign on pop out the clutch to see if it will turn over and fire up


i have flatten my battery twice by leaving a door open & the key in the acc spot with the radio on
but having the duel battery i just pushed the link button on the redarc and joined the 2 batteries and it fired up
( i also have one of those jump packs that i never seam to carry with me !!)
(must charge it again and add it to the car as the boat suffered last weekend, could have used it then !!)

I have roll started an old 4.2 diesel troupie but you have to have it in a big gear and was towing it with a tractor! It's a long story.

[JohnLynn Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close JohnLynn]

I am very interested in the outcome of this question. As an old codger used to mechanical injector pumps on tractors, some with a manually operated stop, I find the electronics thinking for me to be a right pain.
I suppose there are advantages though, for instance you do not see modern engines putting out black smoke any more under overload conditions as the electronics prevent more fuel than the engine can burn being injected.
However I think that a case could be made against the number of sensors monitoring everything. I had an Isuzu engine that would not even attempt to run unless it had sufficient cranking speed, oil pressure etc.
We perhaps should not blame the vehicle though, I would like to meet the people that write the software as I feel that the owner is treated like a dope nowadays.
I suppose we get used being told to "put your foot on the clutch" when starting a manual car but my wife's Audi for instance announces on the dashboard "starting engine" when you turn the key. I feel like shouting "yes I know I am starting the engine that is why I turned the f**ing key"

[LeadWings Member Find all posts View Profile Close LeadWings]

I've roll started tractors on the farm heaps, and even roll started a bull dozer once. But these are vehicles with mechanical injection.

My concern is what the computer will do. Our VW shuts down if any of the sensors report a fault - including if the engine speed is wrong. So I'm wondering (hence the post) if the modern setup can be roll started.

I was hoping someone would have some experience to post - I've actually been suprised someone hasn't come forward given how long the modern diesels with the push buttons have been out there.

I'll give it a while to see if anyone comes forward with experience, if not I'll try it.