My wife's 08 Avalon with 37000 miles has a strange electrical anomaly. Sometimes it won't start. I'm in the car, push the brake, push the start button and I get a click, click, click from under the hood but it doesn't start. THEN, all hell seems to break loose: the radio comes on or goes off, wipers start wiping, a window will go down, etc. I push the start button again and NOTHING. Everything seems dead.
When I jumpstart the car, it starts right up as though nothing ever happened.
I took it to my mechanic and he said the battery is fine.
This has happened three times.
Any ideas? (I have read to check the "dome" fuse and the backup lights as starting issues)
Mike Murrell has hit the proverbial Bull's Eye with his first arrow. You have all the classsic symptoms of a bad, failing, or discharged battery.
Open the pass-through door and make sure the trunk light is turning off OK and not on all night.
Check the battery connections to ensure they are tight and clean.
After 3 years and 37k miles of serevice, I would just replace the battery, clean the connections, and be done with it for another 3-5 years. That's about how long my factory battery lasted and I had the same symptoms before replacement.
I you decide to do it yourself, the radiator cover panel has to be removed first and you will probably need some replacement plastic "push-pin" retainers. They tend to break easily. I ended up replacing all of mine.
Exact same issue with my 2007 LTD!!! Mine has done it 5 times. Nothing consistant about it either. Always very inconvenient. Stopped at a store, was in there only 10-15 minutes............done. Had to get a jump start. Car always starts right up, battery tests good, etc. Very weird and very frustrating. I will watch this thread with interest!
Thanks folks. I don't know if my mechanic load tested the battery. I'll go have the battery changed out and see if this problem recurs. Wife wants to sell the car so I need to get this resolved
Is the procedure for returning the car settings (windows, locks, stereo, etc) in the book?
Thanks folks. I don't know if my mechanic load tested the battery. I'll go have the battery changed out and see if this problem recurs. Wife wants to sell the car so I need to get this resolved
Is the procedure for returning the car settings (windows, locks, stereo, etc) in the book?
Your Uncle!
She wants to sell the car because of a potential battery issue? $75.00 problems fixed. I hope my wife doesn't want to trade me in when I have a minor issue.
I heard many time sfolks have problem and take battery to have it tested, everything ok. Guess what, still over half of the story ended up with a NEW battery and problem solved.
I am not saying it's battery issue but I just don't really trust the "battery test". Consider the age of the battery and where you are (cold weather climate?)
One thing about jumpstart, where is a good grounding? Last time I need a jump, I had a hard time finding a place to ground (ended up recharging the battery instead)
Well, I had Autozone put in their top o' the line battery. We'll see if the problems recur. The AZ guy tested the battery under load and it was good but I still decided to replace it. Wife is a scaredy cat about having car trouble so she just doesn't take these hiccups well... I'll let you guys know if the problem comes back. Thanks for your help!
Another thing to consider might not be that the battery itself is bad but with a lack of cleaning and corrosion protection, you might have corrosion inside the battery cable which is causing the battery to test fine, but not getting the voltage to the componants that need it.
__________________
"Fools", said I, "You do not know, silence like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might teach you. Take my arms that I might reach you"
But my words, like silent raindrops fell, and echoed, in the wells of silence.....
Jason Johnston
Toyota/Scion of Des Moines
(800)342-7045
Well, I had Autozone put in their top o' the line battery. We'll see if the problems recur. The AZ guy tested the battery under load and it was good but I still decided to replace it. Wife is a scaredy cat about having car trouble so she just doesn't take these hiccups well... I'll let you guys know if the problem comes back. Thanks for your help!
Your Uncle...
Smart move, I did the same for my 04 MDX a few moths ago with the exact symptoms- problem solved- had done the same last fall for the 05 Odyssey when it failed at home a week after a thousand mile trip- lucky.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
