[ErinS3204]

I bought a brand new '05 Automatic Corolla S a few weeks ago. Every time I fill up the gas tank, the car won't start. I've made sure the gas cap is on tight, I've waited a few minutes, I've tried everything. The car just doesn't start after fill up! The battery indicator is green, so I don't know what the problem is. I've brought the car to the dealership numerous times, they don't see anything wrong. Has anyone heard of a problem like this? Anyone know what could be wrong? Please help me!!!! Thank you!

 

[homeguard]

might need to check out your lemon laws.

 

[polo708]

kinda silly, but is it in park?

 

[ErinS3204]

yes, it's in park. It wasn't a fluke thing. I've filled up 3 times and it has happened 3 times!

 

[rolla-XRS]

This might sound silly but bear with my painful embarassing story.

I had a Gen-7 Celica GTS 6-speed Manual once and was getting into my car on Christmas Eve to leave the mall (doh!). I tried to turn over the starter... Nothing. No familiar "whuur whurr". Just dash power lights would work.

So I'm like WTF!? Looked at everything and couldn't figure it out.
Called Road Side Service and they towed it to the dealer.

Dealer calls me back a few days and says there's nothing wrong.

Turns out that my generic Canadian Tire floor mats were riding up and getting wedged between the clutch and the floor - so that the clutch would not go 100% of the way to the floor. Therefore the starter wouldn't engage.

Now you have an Automatic trans....but I presume because of the "runaway-Audi" syndrome from the late 80's that all cars now have a safety lockout that requires to press the brake in order to start the car.

Could this be it? Or is your starter working but just not turning over?

 

[sonyminidiscman]

well, my family got a 05 corolla also for 2 months now. no trouble starting it at all

 

[Nick]

that's the dealers problem, not yours...

 

[LonelyDriver]

you should take it back to the dealership and take a mechanic to a gas station and show them exactly what happens.

 

[ErinS3204]

I took my car to the dealership, brought a service manager to the gas station with me, and thank god, it didn't start! The guy even had a hard time getting it started. So it's in the shop as we speak. I got a loner car. So my temp car is a Rav4. They drive nice! I'll keep you updated!

 

[theman86_2]

Just a question but when it doesn't start at the gas station what do you do or does it eventually start and how?

 

[ErinS3204]

It takes a good 10 - 15 minutes to get it started. I try a few times, wait some more... I usually have to step on the gas a few times to get it started.

 

[homeguard]

so you have to turn the key and hold it? like it is flooded? try just turning the key and leaving in the on position for a min or two and if it starts up fine after that it might be a bad fuel pump.

 

[ErinS3204]

If I turn the key, I hold it for a second, the car will start for about half a second, then die. So in order to get it started, I have to turn the key for a second or two, and step on the gas to get it going. By the way, how can a 3 week old Corolla have a bad fuel pump?

 

[happyhooder]

hey do you top it off? like it click and you still go or does it click you stop.

reason is some guys with matrixies have the similar problems

here is a link to the discussion http://www.matrixowners.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=23149&start=0

-pat

 

[ErinS3204]

Actually, that was a suggestion by one of the Toyota service managers. He suggested that when it clicks, take it out, which we did. That doesn't seem to help either! They've had my car since last night... still no word!!

 

[happyhooder]

hmm.... WAOW that sucks, sorry man.

keep us updated on this when you know what was wrong with it.

-pat

 

[rolla-XRS]

If I turn the key, I hold it for a second, the car will start for about half a second, then die. So in order to get it started, I have to turn the key for a second or two, and step on the gas to get it going. By the way, how can a 3 week old Corolla have a bad fuel pump?

Same way as a 3 week old hard drive can crap out on ya. Sometimes the part vendor didn't make the part to spec...and it goes bad right outta the gate. Surprising that the dealer didn't see this when they prep'd the car...do US dealers have tp give you a full tank of gas when you take delivery of the car...or is that just a Canadian thing?

 

[ErinS3204]

I received a full tank of gas. I don't know where it was gassed up.

 

[rolla-XRS]

So then they did a piss-poor Dealer prep before giving you the car. Perhaps you should raise that point if you ever get any flack from the dealer.

I hate lazy ass dealers. They make it rough on the majority of good dealers.

 

[ErinS3204]

UPDATE ON MY COROLLA

The dealership called me today and left me a message saying they've heard back from technical assistance, and they are ordering my car a new computer! I called back and spoke to them and they said that it seems to be an electrical problem. Which now I think of it, makes sense. My check engine light was coming on, but storing no codes. So, I'll be hanging out with the Rental Rav4 until Wednesday!