wont always start

[whanner]

Just bought this 2000 Avalon and have noticed that sometimes the starter wont engage... makes no noise at all... hit the key again and starts fine. The previous owner had it in the dealer and they replaced the starter contacts but its still doing it. any suggestions?

[whilst]

Check ignition switch(electrical), or:
Could be 'AOH' recall- upper steering bracket'.
That is what happened to my daughters' car yesterday in driveway.
No resistance to turning key. Lock rod broke.
HTH.

[whanner]

best I can tell it started before they did the recall.

[whanner]

could this be related to the security system....if you turn the key.. no start. then turn it again and it starts. It seems to always start on the second try.

[chuckoff]

Could be several things, Battery, battery connections, starter solenoild contacts, neutral safety switch, ignition switch, security system, etc. Are you sure there is no sound when it will not crank? Worn starter solenoid contacts usually make a single click sound when trying to make the starter work. No sound whatsoever probably means no current is going to the starter solenoid.

[whanner]

It did it last night for the 1st time in a while. it was a single click. let go of the key tried again and fired right up. sounds like the contacts are on their way out hug.

[chuckoff]

Originally Posted by whanner

It did it last night for the 1st time in a while. it was a single click. let go of the key tried again and fired right up. sounds like the contacts are on their way out hug.

Pretty easy fix. Remove starter, relpace contacts and plunger. If you cannot do it yourself and talk it to a shop, do not let them tell you need a new starter.

[pmesfun]

+1
New contacts, plunger etc. Or just get a rebuilt Denso starter from Oreilly or similar.

I need to replace contacts soon myself.