2006 Avalon Problem Starting

[loliver]

Hey There:

I just bought a 2006 XL about a month 1/2 ago. Every now and then I would try to start the car and it would turn over but would not crank. I would then turn the key off and then try again and it would start fine. It did this about 10-15 times with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes in the morning somethimes at night. Sometimes not for two ot three days. Of course it wouldn't do it for the dealership when I wanted it to. Finally, they gave me another Avalon and it is doing the same thing. It always starts the second time, but this is getting frusterating. I have spoke with some others who have Tundras and they have the prob too! Has anyone heard of this and what do I do?

[bigdad]

wouldn't crank. That doesn't make sense to me.....please explain it to me.....how can it turn over but not crank.....I can understand if it cranks the engine but doesn't START, or you try to start the engine but it doesn't CRANK.......
Can you try to be a little more explicit on what is happening, has the engine been running, do you try to turn the key in two motions rather than one continuous turn, etc....thx....bigdad

[loliver]

I guess you would say that it cranks but will not start. For instance..I turn the key and it cranks and I held the key down for 7 seconds and it would never actually start the car. I then turn the key back to the off postion and try again and it starts immediatly. It only does it occasionally though. Like I said above no rhyme or reason.

[Bahraini_Zupra]

lose battery terminals or cheap battery maybe ! very weird !

[retired00]

You're keeping your foot off the accelerator when you crank it, correct?

An unusual problem-try a different brand of gas, too.

[loliver]

I am not pushing the gas pedal when I turn the key. it just spins put will not actually start. I have tried pushing the gas pedal when it spins and that does nothing wither. what is so weird is that as soon as I turn the key back to the off position and then turn it on again , it starts with no problem. It is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered in my life!

[retired00]

I have heard of one car owner (another brand of car) that would do what you describe because of a fault in the security system--the code in the key was not being recognized rapidly, but if you had it on both your Avalon and the dealer's, that would be unlikely. You don't have a common issue, nothing I've seen or heard of on either Avalon board I watch. Mine is fine, although I don't have a key start. Have any accessories been added to the car, like the added glass breakage sensor or another electronic item? Is the engine immobilizer dash light flashing at times other than after you remove the key?

[bigdad]

sounds like something you are doing, since you duplicated it in another Avalon. Are you failing to turn the key in a complete and continuous motion? My wife's BMW had a similar problem, which allowed the entire key lock to turn at the end, but wouldn't allow it to start. Interfered with the immobilizer/lock out on occasion. Have you too many keys/weight on the chain? Strange events. Had to replace her lock cylinder, which did the trick...no more slipping to the end. good luck and will keep my ears open for an answer.