MAJOR starting issue

[dem2757]

I tried searching but didnt find anything near what i was experiencing.

So this is the second time it has happened to me, i turn to crank the car, and ALL power is gone, no clock, door lights, dash lights, headlights, NOTHING. This only happens when i go to crank the car. W jumped the car and it fires up like a champ, and all power is back on the interior.

BUT: EVERY MEMORY SYSTEM HAS RESET. Including COMPUTER. That never has happened to me. Whatever is happening is causing the car to have to "remember" how to run the air/fuel mixture. when the engine is cold, it idles normally at 2k. This reset made it idle at 800 until i drove for several miles.

We suspect the ignition switch is old and needs replacing, but can a shorting switch cause all this? I would REEAAALLLLY appreciate the help from anyone. This is my DD and i need it to work like normal asap!!!

EDIT: I forgot to say that we recently washed the engine bay a few days ago, and the problem occurred afterwards. Not sure if it is coincidence or cause.

[Tatohead]

Every time I have experienced the total-electrical-failure-at-start problem, it always turned out to be the battery terminal of all things! Did you hear a little 'snap' sound? Check out those terminals; wouldn't hurt. Use a brush terminal cleaner to remove corrrosion and ensure good continuity.

Worth a shot!

[dem2757]

Thats what i am about to do, ill be back in about an hour to post before and after photos of the battery and terminals and see if it would stop the problem. It worked fine today and when i got out of school. Fired up like normal. I was suspecting corrosion of ground or something.

Like i said, ill be back

[dem2757]

Overall the corrosion was slim to none. i notice the dash lights dim less now, but there wasnt much at all i could see when i pulled off the connections. baking soda hissed a bit once i cleaned the terminals and the inside of the rings. Also i got some green on the cloth, but nothing major. I hope this somehow fixed my problem. If not then i suspect bad switch.




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[stanno]

This has happened to my car as well. But it's my terminals for sure, they're a bit slack.

[dem2757]

i tightened them fairly well and so far so good! i hope it was just this.

[Eugee]

If that doesn't work I would charge the battery overnight and load test it. Also check out the thread on "Top Ten Electrical Tests", It's a great article.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/ar.../t-366847.html Good Luck ! Check the power line going to the starter also. It could be shorting out.

[Eugee]

It might be an internal short in the starter also. I don't know how to test for it though maybe someone else does. If the starter is going straight to ground that's a big load, lots of current maybe 80 amps or so. Be careful. Make sure the hood is closed when starting or at least no one is standing in front. The Battery could Explode! Rare but life changing if your next to it. Let us know what happens. Eugee-86 Camry liftback.

[dem2757]

well it seems to me that the tightened battery connections solved the problem.

Ill definitely remember that load test though as our 2001 odyssey just had a battery with poor amperage but good voltage.