re: 89 V6 ignition?

[sfjen]

Aloha Folks-

As many of you know, I have been doing various things the last week or so, from changing out the timing belt, water pump and thermostat, drive/AC/alternator belts, plugs & wires, cap & rotor, fuel filter, air cleaner and PCV valve.

Car has been running great.

About a week before all of the work I had a situation where it was difficult to start the car and then it seemed like it came down to how I placed the key into the ignition cylinder and how I turned it. After getting it started, all was good. Then a week ago was all the timing belt and tune up stuff done.

So today it happened again this morning. All lights come on and belt warning chime-everything you would expect, then I turn the key and nothing happens. Not like a bad battery or weak battery where lights flicker and the starter is trying to turn over. So, I took out my truck. A few hours later I tried it again, I gently put the key in and turned it slowly and she fired right up. Like finding the sweet spot in the ignition cylinder.

Could it be that the original ignition switch and/or original ignition cylinder need to be replaced? If so, is this something I can do and would Toyota be able to re-key the cylinder to match everything else?

I probably should not assume it is the above because I know it could be something else. My wife is worried that it could be moisture related as her 1990 Tercel had certain issues. Anyhow, look forward to all the good advice.
Mahalo!

PS: How does the cold start injection work and what are some symptoms that may mean it needs to be replaced?

[Grego 92]

Check your keys if you're using the originals, something similar happened twice to me. First my pickup then the camry. I was still using the original keys and after nearly 20 years and the ridges were all rounded off. The key guy had some trouble making duplicates and was amazed they still worked

[sfjen]

Aloha Grego-
I thought about what you are saying too. When I first got the car back in May I went and had new keys made.

I wonder if it is possible to take in the lock cylinder and have new keys made by either Toyota or a locksmith? Or is it just better to buy a new lock cylinder from Toyota? I see aftermarket brands on ebay for a pretty reasonable price between 35 to 70.00 depending on what brand you want. I am sure an original Toyota lock cylinder would cost a lot more. I was also wondering if a Lexus ES250 lock cylinder might work? The keys look pretty neat too but I would then have to have 2 keys, one for the all the doors and one for the ignition.

I just hope it is not a larger problem as they say.
Mahalo!

Originally Posted by Grego 92

Check your keys if you're using the originals, something similar happened twice to me. First my pickup then the camry. I was still using the original keys and after nearly 20 years and the ridges were all rounded off. The key guy had some trouble making duplicates and was amazed they still worked

[71Corolla]

I had a similar problem on my 1990 Camry project car, actually the key would fall out of the lock when driving quite annoying. It was also difficult to turn from off to ACC or START sometimes. I got the key code from the passengers lock and had Toyota make me some new keys, it helped I was still able to pull the key out of the ignition with the car running.

I ended up pulling the lock out, drilling out the pin and the peened tabs so I could take the lock apart and have a look at it. Turns out the lock was actually okay, but had a lot of crud and dirt in it. I cleaned it with solvent, and greased it up with synthetic grease. To assemble it, I put dabs of JB-Weld on the areas that I had drilled out (it does stay together without it but just to be safe). The lock works great now, and you can't pull the key out anymore with the car running.

I would imagine a locksmith will do basically the same job I did, but he would also have access to various parts if needed. I would have taken the assembly to a locksmith but I don't know any off hand so I just did the job myself. Easiest way would be to buy a new lock and take that to a locksmith so he can set it up for your existing key, if I have this type of problem again that's what I'm going to do.

[Doctor J]

If it happens again try to start the engine using clip-on starter switch; if it works verify that there is a power present on the IGNITION (small wire) end of the solenoid by using 3.4 w test light (wire DICONNECTED from the starter). If answer is yes to both questions, install the starter relay

[sfjen]

Aloha Doctor J-
Thanks so much for this info. Can I get a clip on starter switch at an AutoZone, Napa type of store?

Also, please forgive my "green-ness" here I wish I had a Toyota Service manual but all I have is the Haynes one. Where is the starter relay?

Lastly, if it is the starter relay would you suggest getting the Toyota-Denso part or is aftermarket all-right? Just curious about this.

Thanks again for your help.
Mahalo!

Originally Posted by Doctor J

If it happens again try to start the engine using clip-on starter switch; if it works verify that there is a power present on the IGNITION (small wire) end of the solenoid by using 3.4 w test light (wire DICONNECTED from the starter). If answer is yes to both questions, install the starter relay

[white90dx]

Dr. J is talking about adding an extra starter relay in the engine bay right at the battery. You can find the how-to in one of the sticky threads at the top of this section of the forum.

-Charlie

PS. There is a factory starter relay, but only on the manual transmission cars and it is located in the driver-side footwell. It isn't there in the auto cars and wouldn't do anything if you put one there.