I have a 2008 TL that starts fine in the morning or after sitting for more than 6 hours but hesitates to start after sitting for 2-3hours. It takes about 4 - 5 seconds for the car to start. This happens every day at lunch and when leaving to go home from work. Once it starts, you can turn the car off and back on immediately with no issues. It doesn’t matter if it’s cold or got outside and it isn’t the battery because it was replaced. It has been happening for about a year now and the mechanic hasn’t been any help.

 

My guess is an issue with the starting if it's having hot start problems.

 

So it cranks just fine for 4-5 seconds but doesn't start, right?

Turn key to ON, then turn it OFF, then ON again, then OFF again, then to ON and try to start. Does it start right away then?

Report back. (OFF - all lights disabled, ON - all lights ON, check engine ON, oil pressure light ON, but engine not running)

 

It starts every time and all the lights are on. No clicking or dimming of lights.

 

Video is attached

 

I’ll have to upload it later as the file size is too big

 

All right, you didn't understand me. Based on what you wrote, I'm suspecting that fuel pump is the issue. Or more precisely the valve that is in the fuel pump. It's supposed to hold the pressure, so fuel is available all the time if car wants to start.

If that valve leaks, it lets gas drain from the lines back to the tank over time. Because of that, engine keeps cranking for extended period of time, because it takes a moment for fuel pump to pump gas through the whole line.

Cycling the key forces the pump to cycle couple times creating the fuel pressure in line (as pump is run for couple seconds each time you turn the key to ON). If after sitting for extended period of time (when normally it would take a long time to start), cycling key allows it to start right away, then you know for sure that fuel pump is faulty.

 

It starts properly doing what you suggested. Do you think only the pump needs replacing or the entire pump assembly?

 

Doesn't pump comes as whole assembly anyways? Technically you need just that valve, but no idea where it's located inside the pump, and if you can buy it separately.