1996 Avalon periodic trouble warm starting. - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

realdealboy · 06-01-2011, 08:19 PM

Hi everyone.

I have a 96 Avalon and when it is hot and I turn the car off and return to it in a few minutes it will not start. If it sits for anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours it will start again with no trouble at all. It does this about once a week and is becoming a real PITA.

I have replaced the battery, both terminals, and the copper contacts on the starter. The symptoms are strange in that there seems to be no loss in power from the battery ie. all of the accessories, lights etc. work properly, only the starter will not do anything. Not even a click when the key is turned. It is really perplexing me and my Toyota mechanic friend.

When I google search the symptoms it appears that others have had this problem but I can't seem to find any definitive solution anywhere. Help?

pmesfun · 06-01-2011, 08:51 PM

Yeah, that happens to me sometimes, rarely since I did some maintenance. I was going to replace all the parts that you said, glad I didn't.

How old is the fuel filter?

realdealboy · 06-01-2011, 09:22 PM

I am not sure on the fuel filter, but It is not an issue of the car not getting fuel.

pmesfun · 06-01-2011, 10:11 PM

Come to think of it, it hasn't happened at all since I replaced spark plugs/wires and cleaned the throttle body 5 months ago. Have you done any of this recently?

realdealboy · 06-01-2011, 10:47 PM

It isn't that the car is trying to start and it is just not turning over. The starter is doing nothing at all. I am of the opinion that it is something to do with the ignition system, but that is a pretty complex system. Couple this with the fact that it only does it periodically when it is hot and mechanics can not seem to diagnose it. I have had it towed to a shop the first time it happened and my mechanic friend could not recreate the symptoms. I dropped it off at another place also and same thing..couldn't recreate it. I was hoping someone has had this problem and since I am guessing as to what it is/what needs to be replaced, I would be able to make some sort of educated guess.

pmesfun · 06-01-2011, 11:18 PM

Wow I'm an idiot, I completely misread you first post, I though it was starting rough, my bad.

I would try starting in Neutral next time it happens, the Neutral Saftey Switch may need adjustment. To be honest you are much better off creating another thread in the Gen 3&4 Camry thread, that is where the experts are at.

realdealboy · 06-01-2011, 11:24 PM

Will the guys in Gen 3 and 4 answer question about the Gen 1s?

pmesfun · 06-01-2011, 11:27 PM

Yes in the Gen 3 & 4 Camry forum, these cars are all the same.