96 Avalon - Trouble Starting - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

bklewis · 04-17-2011, 07:10 PM

I have a 1996 Avalon that has been parked for approximately 1 year. Last summer, it was started and driven only enough to move it out of the way of the lawn mower. This past winter, however, it was not started. I now have a need for this car again and am having a difficult time getting it to start. I had to charge the battery to even get the car to turn over. I gave up and purchased a new battery. Upon installation, I was finally able to get the car to start and idle properly. I have been performing minor maintenance on the vehicle in my spare time over the past 3 or 4 weeks (changing air filter, oil, spark plugs, etc.) and it has started perfectly each time with the exception of this weekend. The car will turn over but will simply not start. I am under the assumption that neglecting to drive the car for such a long period of time has caused this malfunction but I don't know where to begin analyzing the problem. It only has 100,000 miles on it and I would like to get some more use out of it if possible. Any pointers would be appreciated.

pmesfun · 04-17-2011, 10:05 PM

Is the CEL light on? Check fuses and look for any unplugged or damaged connections.

I just got my avalon fixed, wouldn't turn over either. It was a broken tooth off the crank sprocket.

bob2 · 04-18-2011, 04:52 PM

did u plug the MAF sensor back in after you changed the air cleaner? it's the plug that goes to the pipe from the air cleaner box to the throttle body and i've heard it will prevent the engine from starting...

bklewis · 04-18-2011, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Is the CEL light on? Check fuses and look for any unplugged or damaged connections.

I just got my avalon fixed, wouldn't turn over either. It was a broken tooth off the crank sprocket.

The check engine light is on now but I believe that it always stayed on until the car starts. I will check for connection problems (bob2 also mentioned this).

Thank you!

bklewis · 04-18-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob2

did u plug the MAF sensor back in after you changed the air cleaner? it's the plug that goes to the pipe from the air cleaner box to the throttle body and i've heard it will prevent the engine from starting...

I am pretty sure that I plugged it back in. I will verify the connection this weekend (vehicle at distant location). The funny thing is that the car was doing the same thing until we purchased a new battery and now it is doing it again for some reason. I'll post again after I check the connection/s.

Thanks!

Jigg007 · 04-18-2011, 09:56 PM

Well, if the MAF is unplugged it is best to have it plugged in. But like most sensors on the car, a faulty sensor should not result in total failure. Instead, the ECU will assume the sensor is bad (not plugged in, no data), and use factory values to "limp' the car home/repair shop. It wouldnt start right up, but it should atleast try to turn over. MAF sensors become more important at higher RPMS.

When cranking, there is no sign of resistance? Does the exhaust smell rich doing so?

Keep in mind the three things you need for a running engine, fuel, air, and spark (well, compression too..)

Air is almost a no-brainer, and is usually never at fault. Unless you forgot to unwrap the air filter.

Spark can be tricky to observe. you need to use a spark tester (or mist some water onto the plug wires leaving the coil packs)

Fuel will be evident if you're able to smell gasoline in the exhaust after starting. Which wont be noticeable right away, but maybe after a minute or two. It will be very rich which also ties into spark. If you have the air, and the fuel, then obviously you have no ignition! However, if you smell no fuel then you may have a faulty fuel pump.

But if you can test you have spark, fuel, and air, then you might have to look at compression..

Good luck, besure to let us know if you fix it!

bklewis · 04-23-2011, 03:06 PM

After changing the fuel filter and then the fuel pump, I was able to get the car to start. That must have fixed my fuel problem. Now if I could just figure out why the check engine light is on and why it is missing.

Thank you all for your help!

pmesfun · 04-23-2011, 04:27 PM

Are the plug wires in the correct order? 1-4, 2-5, 3-6
Fuel injectors all pulsing?
If its drivable, get the codes scanned, if not you can rent one from Autozone.

bklewis · 04-25-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pmesfun

Are the plug wires in the correct order? 1-4, 2-5, 3-6
Fuel injectors all pulsing?
If its drivable, get the codes scanned, if not you can rent one from Autozone.

I picked up a code scanner and was able to determine the issue causing the car to mis-fire. Thank you for your help!

pmesfun · 04-25-2011, 03:32 PM

good deal.