won't start (occasionally)

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A

art5519

10 Year
Joined
Apr 28, 2015
Threads
5
Messages
41
Location
Austin, TX
I have 09 200 and having this weird (intermittent) issue. Basically, when I get into the car, push 'engine start' button - all the dashboard lights turn on as normal, but the engine will not turn. Sometimes it takes few attempts to push the button before the engine turns. At times, after numerous attempts with no luck I used remote start option to start the car, and then normal start would work fine.

This started happening few months ago and happens once every couple of weeks. Can't seem to find any patters. I did replaced the battery in the remote - didn't help. Took it to Toyota was told they could not reproduce.

Any ideas or suggestions?

Best,

Art
 
It does sound like the truck is not sensing the remote within the vehicle. Next time it does this, place the remove just under the start button and see if it does start right away. If not, rule that completely out and I am not sure where to go next. I do understand your frustrations with an intermittent problem and getting no support from the dealer. I am dealing with other intermittent problems and am now thinking that I will be getting a set or wiring diagrams and a logic probe so as to be able to trouble shoot signals going to the various ECUs. Good luck.
 
Once you checked if the sensor works as the post above, dig into the electricals. Maybe pull out the switch to check the wiring or maybe there's a voltage drop or bad fuse. Find the fuse(s) for starting and check the contacts.

Good luck
 
Greetings all! Wanted to send an update with few additional details. Firstly, this issue still happens where I push the ignition button, all lights light up but starter does not get engaged. I've taken the car to the dealer, they could not find anything. They suggested I replace the battery in the key fob, which I do every few months (just to rule it out). This happens every couple of weeks. To get the car started I usually use the key fob to open/close doors, take it out of pocket and try to place it closer to dash in various spots. My last resort action item is to use the key fob to remote start the car (remote start works every time). Usually, after trying those things for few minutes - the car starts up fine.

However, just recently I noticed that if I keep pushing the ignition button - the car eventually starts up. It already happened twice where I had to keep the button pushed for 20-30 seconds to start it. As it's intermittent - it's hard to say if this will work all the time, at least this is my go-to solution for now. Anyone has any ideas what it may be? Trying to understand what's different if I keep pressing the ignition button?

Thanks all!
 
The solenoid on your starter may be going out. There have been a few starters fail in the past couple years. It may be when you push the starter a number of times, electricity is flowing and warming up the connections in the solenoid until it makes a good contact.

just a theory. if it is the solenoid, it can be "jumped" if it ever dies completely. takes some jumper cables and a long screwdriver.
a description is listed in the starter replacement thread.

hope this isn't whats going on with your truck. They aren't cheap and are a pain in the butt to replace.
 
I had this happen but the dashboard also said "key not detected". Holding it up to the start button worked. I promptly replaced the battery and it's been fine since. If you're not getting the "key not detected" message then it's unlikely the battery in the fob.
 
TexAZ said:
The solenoid on your starter may be going out. There have been a few starters fail in the past couple years. It may be when you push the starter a number of times, electricity is flowing and warming up the connections in the solenoid until it makes a good contact.

just a theory. if it is the solenoid, it can be "jumped" if it ever dies completely. takes some jumper cables and a long screwdriver.
a description is listed in the starter replacement thread.

hope this isn't whats going on with your truck. They aren't cheap and are a pain in the butt to replace.
Click to expand...


I had starter replaced about a year ago. Have had this issue before that and after replacement. Thanks for the idea.
 
linuxgod said:
I had this happen but the dashboard also said "key not detected". Holding it up to the start button worked. I promptly replaced the battery and it's been fine since. If you're not getting the "key not detected" message then it's unlikely the battery in the fob.
Click to expand...

Correct, key is detected all the time. The ignition button turns a green light on and I don't see the message "key is not detected".
 
How old is the vehicle battery?
 
If the remote start works first try, every time... I would lean towards the push button going bad.
 
Any reason your shifter wouldn't be seated all the way to "P"? There should be a sensor for it.
 
1HaytchZed said:
Any reason your shifter wouldn't be seated all the way to "P"? There should be a sensor for it.
Click to expand...

Will pay closer attention to the shifter. The car eventually starts without me touching it, so don't see how it can play a role, but will keep a closer eye on it going forward. Thanks!
 
In addition to your shifter, take note of how far down your brake pedal is also. If that sensor is not fully engaged, it could explain the dash lights coming on without starting as well as starting every time with the remote. Still thinking of how to explain that 20-30 second hold/start you mentioned. Could be that your foot is resting on pedal and unknowingly pressing it a bit firmer.
 
Here's the wiring diagram for your 2009 if you want to think more about where the problem may lie
upload_2018-4-24_9-20-31.webp
 
Also, troubleshooting steps. It should be easy to test the relay and the ECU and engine switch if you have a basic multimeter.

upload_2018-4-24_9-21-58.webp

upload_2018-4-24_9-22-18.webp


upload_2018-4-24_9-23-14.webp
 
ForrestGrump said:
In addition to your shifter, take note of how far down your brake pedal is also. If that sensor is not fully engaged, it could explain the dash lights coming on without starting as well as starting every time with the remote. Still thinking of how to explain that 20-30 second hold/start you mentioned. Could be that your foot is resting on pedal and unknowingly pressing it a bit firmer.
Click to expand...

I like this theory. It explains both the remote start working and the intermittent nature of the problem; bad stop switch. Occam's Razor.

The next time it doesn't start see if there is a reflection of brake lights from behind the vehicle. The signal responds to the switch, not necessarily brake force. So if the lights are on the switch is closing properly. There still could, of course, be a problem at the ECU junction (i.e. corrosion on the wire).
 
OregonLC said:
I like this theory. It explains both the remote start working and the intermittent nature of the problem; bad stop switch. Occam's Razor.

The next time it doesn't start see if there is a reflection of brake lights from behind the vehicle. The signal responds to the switch, not necessarily brake force. So if the lights are on the switch is closing properly. There still could, of course, be a problem at the ECU junction (i.e. corrosion on the wire).
Click to expand...

While you're at it, put it in Neutral and see if it starts. If it does, then there's an issue with the park/neutral position sensor misreading the Park position. Won't tell you if the entire sensor is bad though.
 
If it were PND sensor then I believe it also wouldn't start with the remote?
 
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