Turns Over But Doesn't Start

[Von Hayek]

I have a 2000 Avalon that turns over but will not start. Odd thing--drove it for forty miles, parked it in the driveway, came out the next morning and it wouldn't start. Didn't give me any indication that there were problems beforehand.

The fuel gauge is on E, but I have driven it lower before. The low fuel light has not come on yet.

Checked for blown fuses but could find none.

Checked for spark, but no plug wires!

Any ideas?

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by Von Hayek

I have a 2000 Avalon that turns over but will not start. Odd thing--drove it for forty miles, parked it in the driveway, came out the next morning and it wouldn't start. Didn't give me any indication that there were problems beforehand.

The fuel gauge is on E, but I have driven it lower before. The low fuel light has not come on yet.

Checked for blown fuses but could find none.

Checked for spark, but no plug wires!

Any ideas?

How old is your battery? Also, what happens when you turn the key? What sounds do you hear?

[VonHayek]

Originally Posted by TrailDust

How old is your battery? Also, what happens when you turn the key? What sounds do you hear?

Actually, I got this figured out. I went out the next day and same thing. I decided to try and give it some gas, and lo-and-behold is started. Let off the gas and shut right down. Started it back up, same thing. After about five minutes of running, it would idle just fine.

The only thing I can figure is bad gas. There was probably less than 2 gallons of gas left in the tank and maybe there was some water in there? My wife has been buying nothing but cheap gas.

I picked up some dry gas that night and filled it up with some Shell. Has been running fine since.

[TrailDust]

Glad you got it resolved. I always tell people to stay away from the off-brand gasoline, since too often the tanks can be rusty (in states without corrosion resistant mandates) or have sediment, and improper storage introduces too much water into the fuel.