car starting problem

by **kingkakyle** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 3:35 pm

ok so i left for home on friday on the train
i returned sunday and on monday when i was about to go to the market in my car it wouldn't start.
so i pop the hood and check everything, everything looks fine
so then i get a ride from my roommate and when i got back i tried starting the car again it started...but after a bit of a struggle.
so now everytime i start my car it never starts the first try
it makes a whining sound like its gonna start, but jsut keeps going
im not sure what it is, i checked all my lights and stuff to see if its draining the battery but nothing seemed to be draining it
so what could be the problem? the dealership here are being asses and making me wait a week befoer they will check it out
o yea after i came back the first time i noticed the clock had been reset and when i start the car all the gauges die (temperature goes to C and gas gauge goes to E).
thanks for ur help

by **PDX SuperSolara** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 4:18 pm

The fact that your clock is reset indicates that the battery got so low that it couldn't even run the clock, or the clock or battery became disconnected. The battery should not be so old as not to start the car since the car is only a year or two old, unless you have run it down several times. Make sure all battery connections are tight and try starting it if it won't otherwise with a jump or high output charger. If it starts easier with a jump, or charger, replace the battery.

by **kingkakyle** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:48 pm

my battery has never run down before....never
it never had a problem starting or anyhting....it just randomly happened
soooo....its jsut a drained battery? it seems to me like its not holding its charge or something, or something i dont know about is draining it....

by **cklinh** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 9:06 pm

That's the most likely culprit... it happened to me a few times... turned out to be my old Aux-Pod (auxiliary ipod adapter)... it happened out of the blue about six months after I had it installed... once I disconnected it for a few days, then reconnected, everything went back to normal (I've seen replaced the Aux-Pod with another ipod adapter).

by **kingkakyle** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:06 am

well i do have my ipod charger plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time....u think that might be it?....maybe ill unplug it....

by **PXLpainter** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:38 am

kingkakyle wrote:well i do have my ipod charger plugged into the cigarette lighter all the time....u think that might be it?....maybe ill unplug it....

Mine's been in there since I bought the car and I've left it for over a week in the garage - no probs. Unless yours is faulty I doubt that's it.

Besides, I believe the juice to the lighter is off when you shut down the engine. I know all my other Toyotas have been that way.

by **kingkakyle** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:18 pm

^^^thats what i thought too
cuz it doesn't charge when the key is out
does anyone else have any ideas? im taking it in to the dealer today....

by **PXLpainter** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:21 pm

Good luck! Just tell 'em you're not going to pick it back up until the problem is resolved so they don't play the "can't find a problem" game with ya!

by **rollaevo99** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:54 pm

yeah take it to the dealer........it's got to be the battery, it happens with my corolla before, but I have 99 corolla......... but your car is newer!

by **kingkakyle** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 1:44 pm

the battery says its ok....its the battery that came with the car
would that be covered under warrenty? haha
thanks for the help

by **mik00725** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:01 pm

I have the same problem. It started this week. First you should check with a jumper, or a known good battery. If it start quickly with no problems, then is a dead battery. I look in my warranty booklet, and it says it is covered for 3yr/36k miles. You could also start your car then with the motor in idle, disconnect your battery terminals. You car should stay on, if not then you have a faulty alternator.

The bottom line is to check your battery(you can do that on your own), then read your manual, and if covered go to the service center, and have them replace your battery. I'm sure OEM batt. are not the best quality or the longer lasting.

my .02¢

by **PXLpainter** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 7:40 pm

Actually yes, the battery is covered with a Toyota! I was actually kinda bummed when the battery first went dead on my Tundra after 1 yr, cuz I thought I could convince my (then wife) I needed to buy a new Red Top, but the dealer said "sure we'll give you a new OEM batt!" - CRAP!

So anyway - I still replaced it after another year cuz I busted a post internally on an airborne jump (my fault this time).

Anyway - good luck at the dealer!

by **rimap728** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:01 pm

i had the samee problem last week!! the car would crank, but wouldnt start!! but it starts ok now.. so i dont know what the problem was.. i only have 5000 miles on my car, and i was piissseeeddd! :evil:

by **Sebas007** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:14 pm

both of you have the I4 2.4L engine...I don't know if we can do a link there

kingkakyle
mik00725
rimap728

:roll:

My old '93 Camry was making that too...it was the connector bet the battery and the starter that was not perfect....maybe you can check that even if you car are not old

by **steve-o** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:33 pm

The last time I bought an OEM battery for my camry it was on year 7 and was still fine when I traded it in. I think 5 yrs is the normal expectecy of these things. Of course YMMV due to accessories, driving habits, etc.
Have nothing to lose by checking the battery though. I've had them die on me after 3 years. Rule it out.

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