Problems with 07 Avalon

[rakilmartin]

I am currently having two problems with my '07 Avalon Limited - if anyone has any insight, I would appreciate it!

1. My husband and I each have a Smart Key for the car. At the same time, after having the car a little over a year, we began having problems with the car starting. The fobs would unlock the car without a problem but it was like the car did not recognize the key and would not start. The light on the Start Button would remain red. We took the car into Toyota this morning and they said they reprogrammed the keys and they seem to be working fine now. Does anyone know why this would happen all of a sudden to both keys?

2. We had to replace the blower on the AC about 6 months ago. It seems that it may be going out again as the level on the fan does not seem to be consistent with the force of the air coming out. There are times where I can have it almost full blast and it feels like it is barely coming out. Any ideas? Is the force of the air tied to the temperature setting if it is not on Auto?

Thank you!

[Tom in Tacoma]

Yours is the first report of the keys needing reprogramming that I've heard of.

From what you're describing - have you replaced the cabin air filter yet? That might explain why you're feeling diminished airflow into the cabin. You'll be surprised how much crap will be plugging the filter if you haven't.

[inov8]

We own an '05. The life of the battery in the fobs was 24-30 months, but we never use the remote lock or unlock feature. I would expect battery life to be substantially lower when the remote transmitter is used regularly. When the battery required replacement, the car would not start reliably unless the fob was held against the button, but remote lock stilll worked.

If climate control is NOT set to AUTO, our fan speed is strictly manual. It does not vary with the temperature setting. Perhaps the apparent force depends on how many outlets the air is being directed through. The same fan speed directed through just the center dash outlets would have more velocity that if directed through all 4, plus the floor-level, plus the 4 in the rear.

[inov8]

Good clue regarding the filter; I didn't think of that.

[Amaury]

Originally Posted by inov8

Good clue regarding the filter; I didn't think of that.

What your dealer did was simply change the batteries on your fobs (I'll be on that). Then made you believe they did something involving a bit more of time. I'd wish they had come to me with that line of "reprogramming the fobs".

I word of caution: If you want to maintain the life of the battery to the maximum, keep your fobs away from each other at least 3 feet.

Amaury
'08 Limited

[Tom in Tacoma]

I had to replace mine at 20k miles. I complained about airflow and the tech pulled it out during an oil change to show it to me. Boy, was I surprised! It was covered with bugs and all sorts of chunks.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

I had to replace mine at 20k miles. I complained about airflow and the tech pulled it out during an oil change to show it to me. Boy, was I surprised! It was covered with bugs and all sorts of chunks.

Tom - did the tech pull the fan assembly that's up under the dash?

My wife's '06 valon fan exhibits some of the issues pointed out in the original post in this thread.

Thanks.

[Tom in Tacoma]

Not that I'm aware of. I was sitting in my appointed spot drinking really weak coffee when the service adviser brought in the offending filter.

After swapping the filter out I noticed more airflow right away.

[Mike Murrell]

Originally Posted by Tom in Tacoma

the service adviser brought in the offending filter

Sounds like a cabin filter to me?