HELP!!! Car won't start (2004 Camry SE 3.3)

after inserting the ignition key, all lights on the dash light up but after a second or two, some lights turn off and the CD changer keeps on changing on its own even though the CD is off.

I crank the key, no clicks and the engine will not turn. I checked the battery with a battery tester and it registerred "GOOD".

What's going on? What's wrong?

HELP!!! I need to get to work in the morning.

Unplug the battery for an hour or two and let it reset. Maybe it will solve the problem.

Unplug the battery for an hour or two and let it reset. Maybe it will solve the problem.

the car has been sitting in the garage for at least 4 hours now. the engine is luke warm to the touch. i disconnected the battery (for the first time) for a minute. after reconnecting the battery, the result was the same. i disconnected the battery for the second time and reconnected it after 5 minutes. the result is still the same.

i read here in the forum that it does not take long to "reset" the car's computer. 1-3 minutes is more than sufficient (anything longer than this is overkill).

I know that in order to reset the ECM, it takes 1 hr, or more.

I'll wait for the experts to chime in then.

I know that in order to reset the ECU, it takes 1 hr, or more.

I'll wait for the experts to chime in then.

i disconnected the battery and reconnected it afte 1.25 hrs. to reset the ECM. When I turn the ignition key, the lights on the dash go out ... no clicks ... no turning of the engine. not even the CD changer goes nuts as in the first time i tried starting the car.

i am leaning towards the belief that i now have a dead battery. dang, this is one of the shortest lived batteries i've come across -- only 4 years and 5 months old @ 82k miles on odometer.

Called AAA for a free jump start this morning. Found only 19% crank capacity left in battery. Went straight to Autozone to buy a new battery and replaced it on the spot. Everything seems to be working fine now.

(Instead of just having the battery light on the dash indicate a battery problem ... strange thing these electronics in the car. When the battery goes low, turning the ignition key will result in the electronics going berzerk -- dash lights go on/off, CD changer keeps on changing even though the radio of off, stepping on the brakes while turning the key blackouts everything. After having a jump start and driving along -- the electronics will go on/off intermittently including the dash lights, radio, speedometer, and so on.)

Good to hear it worked out for you, and good thing it was just the battery. If it's the electrical parts that go bad, then you're in deep trouble.

mods can close out this thread.

thanks to respondents.

dang, this is one of the shortest lived batteries i've come across -- only 4 years and 5 months old @ 82k miles on odometer.

Depend on how you use it. Most car batteries are made to start your car a few times and than get fully charge back. You can drain it about twice but after that U will need a new battery.

If it happen again, U will need to check your car's electrical.

Originally Posted by coffee http://img.toyotanation.com/forum/v2/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2436940#post2436940)
after inserting the ignition key, all lights on the dash light up but after a second or two, some lights turn off and the CD changer keeps on changing on its own even though the CD is off.

I crank the key, no clicks and the engine will not turn. I checked the battery with a battery tester and it registerred "GOOD".


Had the same problem with my 04 SE 3.3 today. Jumped car off and it started right up. That was scarey. I thought the ECU had went bad.