FJ Intermittent Start

[typhon]

i have a 2013 FJ w/ 5,900 miles, 1/2 tank of fuel that won't start. well, it starts sometimes. i noticed the problem a couple of weeks ago when i pressed the button on the key to unlock the door. usually the headlights come on until i turn the key in the ignition. this time they didn't. i tried to start it and the engine would turn over and over and over, but would not start. i called for a tow and unlocked the door again and the lights came on. the tow truck driver suggested trying to start it again. it started just fine.

fast forward to last night. i tried to start it after work. no luck. so, remembering what happened previously, i go through the whole lock and unlock process a few times and it starts. then, i go get something to eat and have to do it all over again.

this morning, i did it about 6 times before it would start. now, i don't know if the locking procedure has anything to do with it, or it's just coincidence. i took it to the dealer and they could not duplicate the problem, so they could not fix the problem.

any ideas? i'm stumped and apparently, their "best" technician is stumped as well.

(p.s. if you see this posted to the "blue room" that's my post as well)

 

[Southeast Overland]

Loose connection?

Chasing electrical problems is a pain. Being stranded isn't cool either. The FJC should be under warranty. Tell them you want them to track the problem down.

 

[speedrye]

Any kind of alarm system?

 

[typhon]

The FJ has the factory alarm system.

When I posted this originally, the dealership service department was clueless and still is. I have done all of the diagnostic legwork and I think that I have it figured out.

My FJ will sporadically turn over, but not start. After a series of locking, unlocking, entering and exiting the vehicle, I can get it to start.

Either the immobilizer is not recognizing the key, or the key is defective. I noticed that the immobilizer light continues to blink when the key is in the ignition. It should stop blinking as soon as the key is recognized.

Luckily, my vehicle is under warranty. This is the second time I have brought it in for this problem and it won't duplicate for the service technician. So, this time I brought video evidence with me on my phone.

The dealer still has it. I guess we'll see what happens.

 

[typhon]

some good news today! the dealer service dept. called and said that it finally failed for them. the culprit seems to be some sort of amplifier in the alarm system that picks up the key when it is in the ignition. they said that they have never had a single failure of this device, hence they do not stock it.

i was given a car to drive while they wait for my part to come in.

 

[Mtbcoach]

Good news, certainly unique...

 

[typhon]

Good news, certainly unique...

unique is right. dealer called today. part is on back order. seems nobody has ever replaced this part before.

 

[YoseFJ]

Did the give you a Prius? (Cringe.....).

 

[typhon]

Did the give you a Prius? (Cringe.....).

;p

that would have been funny. they gave me a rav4. not bad, but no fj.

 

[typhon]

got it back. they changed the amplifier in the immobilizer system. so far, all is well. btw, took 13 days. had to get the part from canada.

 

[Mtbcoach]

That seems crazy, I ordered an H55 transmission that came from Japan and it got here faster than that.

Glad its back to normal...