Compression test.
When did it last run?
Which engine?
V6 has timing belt, 4 cylinder has chain.

 

V6. I checked the timing belt and it is moving. The last time it ran it shut off like a fuel pump would do. It has been sitting for a couple of months since the initial problem occurred. I have not done a compression test. After it turns over for a little bit it tries to "fire" but it will not catch and start running. The car was running fine before it stopped.

 

I'm trying to think of something that wouldn't throw a code!
Crank and cam sensors will "usually" throw a code and timing is normally close enough that the ECM can get it running and then adjust timing and injectors from sensor data.
Loose compression on a few cylinders and it's not likely to run.

 

Use Noid lights to see if the injectors are firing when cranking.
If you are getting spark and injectors when it cranks then it should be seeing the crank sensor.
Toyota and Honda fuel pumps rarely fail and very difficult to hear, even if you put a stethoscope in the filler neck.
If the battery went dead it may not throw a code until it starts. Use a scanner to see if there are pending or history codes.

 

Check the two plugs under the main junction box, down low behind the drivers side headlight for corrosion. I had a problem with the car stalling in heavy rain due to that.

 

Does it have the immobilizer system (fat key with chip)? I think they disable the injectors when the system is active??

 

It has a sticker that says that it does but I have not been able to see a light flash anywhere. All I have is a metal key. To my knowledge it was running with that one.

 

I did some digging into the VIN at Toyota and determined that it does not have an immobilizer. I found a thread on a 4 cyl that was having a similar problem and the evap pressure switch was grounded. They unplugged the switch and the car ran fine. I am trying to locate it on the one I am working on now.

 

Hopefully your on to something but the Evap system is prone to throwing codes even when all you do is look at it cross-eyed. lol

 

We'll I gave up on trying to get this car to run. It was taken to a trusted mechanic who found that the back cam had jumped time. This was caused by a mouse getting in the timing belt cover and I guess getting lodged between the belt and the cam gear. This car ate my lunch but I did learn some valuable troubleshooting lessons. Thank you to all who tried to help me.

 

I remember we have actually seen this before on the forum. Mice like to get under the timing belt covers.

2006 Highlander No Start

I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander W/ 3.3 and today i was driving and out of nowhere it shut off while driving and only cranks after stopping. We checked and vehicle has spark,injector pulse..we only checked the compression on the front head and was about 200-220 across the three cylinders! Its def...

www.toyotanation.com

 

That's a first, a mouse on a suicide mission instead of eating your wriing for a nest.
Did get it fixed?

 

Yes it is fixed.

 

its your gas .... thats my guess ... drain tank .... add high octane ethanol free gas