Problems on top of problems

[silversurfer220]

I seem to have a slight problem with my 2004 Solara. I went out this morning to my garage to go somewhere and once again, the car does not start. Getting mad, I called roadside and they refuse to come out to look at the car, because they have a note in my file that "The last 2 times we've gone out to start the car, it fires right up, and the purchasing dealership told us that he is making up the problem." So, I call my dealership and they tell me to get the car down to them and they might look at it. I asked them how I should get it down there and they said to go out and drive it in. Telling them the vehicle wont start, they said, "its all in your head, stop wasting our time." I called 1-800-Go-Toyota, which happens to be the worse customer service dept around, and they are unwilling to help either. So, now I sit with a non working 04 Solara, 11560 miles, and nobody willing to help. WHAT should I do with this thing? I'd love to trade it in on a diff car, but I dont want to take a $10,000 hit when I refinance a new car. Its getting really frustrating.

Looking for input.

Put the key in ignition, beeps, turn key, no start- no crank, no nothing. Auto lights come on, lights come on inside car, thats it. Full tank of fuel.

[cklinh]

Here's something you may or may not have thought of...

Record yourself trying to start the car when it doesn't start...

Send it in to your local news station that does "consumer watch" type things and see if they'd be willing to get down the throats of the dealership...

[joebxr]

Has it just started up for roadside when they've come in the past? Have you had it into dealer and they can start, and found no problems? Can there be something else going on here, like shifter not all the way in park position or foot on brake or something that simple? For the responses you are getting, something is missing here. Have someone else (neighbor) come over and try starting it.

[bluesolara]

My car yesterday wasn't starting either and I seriously was so scared, thought it had to do with me changing the dash bulbs or something but it wasn't. My engine was fried because that day I had used the "D" and "L" drive... revving the car up a little too much, when I got back that day the engine was fried, smelled like burnt rubber. Anyways, later that night I tried starting it and it didn't work but I got my dad (who's a car expert) and I was like, "The batteries!" He's like, nah dude. So he told me to go in, crank it, gas it for a while and then it started up by itself, I WAS SO HAPPY. Anyways, it's all good now, but then again, your Solara doesn't even crank or start so this is what I think you should do.
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Here's what you do...
Don't know if you've tried it yet.

Go get a friend who has a car and tell him to drive it to your place next to your Solara, pop both hoods of both cars, get a set of jumper cables and connect the (+) and (-) accordingly, tell your friend to fire up his car and let it run for a while (with cables attached) then you try firing up your car. Hopefully this will work.

Maybe you left your headlights on or something? ... Maybe you just need a new battery, if you do, sue the dealership because 11K miles is not enough wear for you car to be dieing like this, seriously call and threaten them with a lawsuit, it works.

Hope that helps man. God bless you and your car.

[silversurfer220]

Has it just started up for roadside when they've come in the past? Have you had it into dealer and they can start, and found no problems? Can there be something else going on here, like shifter not all the way in park position or foot on brake or something that simple? For the responses you are getting, something is missing here. Have someone else (neighbor) come over and try starting it.

When roadside has come out, it wont start, but they seem to think that I have done something to the car, because there are no warning lights. They'll mess with it for 10 mins sometimes then turn the key and it fires up. It has been into the dealership 23 times now for this problem, and because it does not trip a code in the computer when it acts up, they too are accusing me of "falsifying a problem, or tampering with the car so it wont start." The car can sit there for 2 weeks and they wont touch it, or look at it because they think its a waste of time. The shifter is all the way in park. Ive tried starting it with my foot on the brake and with it off. I had my neighbor come over tonite and try it and its still dead.

[bluesolara]

you sure it's not a battery problem?...

[silversurfer220]

you sure it's not a battery problem?...

Would a battery problem cause the car to quit running while I'm driving it? I bought a new battery and put it in and have still had the problem. I in all honesty think its something with the body control module- but they wont replace it because it costs too much and if Toyota tested the body control module and found that it was good, the dealership would have to pay for that part.

[WJN333]

Wow, 23 times? If your sure it is not some type of operator error, I would start making a log. Write down every time it wont start, everytime you call toyota, who you talk to and what they say. Get all your paperwork together, on work already done, or not done for that matter. Make a tape of the problem, get a neighbor/roomate/significant other to help you like the guys have said. Have them try to start it. Consumer watch groups are a good place to start. Then I would look for a good attorney. Many times just a letter from one will get things moving in the right direction. You shouldn't have to deal with this kinda S@#& with a new car.

[joebxr]

Okay, obviously something is happening here. One last thing to look at is corrosion of the ground cable where it connects (opposite the battery end). Corrosion on cable connections play trickey games.

When all else is ruled out I would then contact Toyota, provide them with s summary of the issue and replied/responses you've had and demand to see Regional Service Director on next visit. If they push back, then start mentioning LEMON LAW and State Atty General....see what happens.
GOOD LUCK and keep us informed, please.

[FLUXEMAG]

If you put a petition together for Toyota North America I would sign it.

[Jai_Jai_Binks]

buy a camcorder (or those digital camera that record mpg's) and use that as your evidence. Sorry mate, looks like your out of options.

[gone]

this is just a weird story.It wont start for u but when assistance comes it automatically starts?Do they have magical powers or something that u dont? jk ...I was thinking the battery also after reading ur problem,but if its not that just bring it to ur mechanic or toyota just to do an update to make sure everything is okay.good luck

[Down2TheC]

Damn! You still have that thing? I thought you were ditching it.
If all that stuff comes on, then you're right... not a battery thing. Some freaky ECM issue no doubt. There must be a limited amount of inputs that make the ECU prevent cranking/starting. I know I won't be able to do it tonight, but when I can, I'll check the EWD and see if there's some obvious wires you can disconnect for troubleshooting purposes.

One note of hope... With time, almost any "hard-to-prove" intermittant problem degrades into a permanent problem. Escpecially with electrical. Someday (may be this time around from the sounds of it) it won't just go away and they'll have to fix it and apologize.

[MCOjerry]

Silversurfer, some others have posted some really good ideas, I agree with them.

1. If you don't have a video camera, borrow one. It's pain, but keep it with you at all times. You should be able to keep it in your car until the weather gets hot up there. Then, when you have the problem, video tape it, making sure to turn on the date stamp.

2. Try contacting one of the news stations that has a consumer investigations segment and see if they would be willing to hear your story and try to help. They always get action, because the offending companies do not want to be seen on TV treating customers badly.

If I remember correctly, you have had MAJOR problems with your car. It's time to start making sure you can document everything. I'm really surprised that Toyota isn't supporting you with the dealership.

Another suggestion....can you go to another town (if you can start the car), and explain everything to a dealership that's not near the offending one? I'd be VERY honest with them, telling them that you are not trying to get anything for free, you are just having problems, and that the dealership in your town won't help you because they think you are fabricating it. Be really nice to them and ask if they are willing to help you. You could even call first, perhaps speaking to the service manager before you go. If you are nice to them and explain your utter frustration, they might be willing to help you out.

I'm so sorry you are having so many problems. it truly seems you have gotten a lemon, and no one is willing to admit it. Lemons roll off the line sometimes, you can't totally stop them.

If all else fails, do you know an attorney, or know someone who does. Someone mentioned a letter from an attorney, which if all else fails, may produce some reaction. You could also report the dealership to the better business bureau, that can sometimes get action.

Best of luck, and if you ever need any moral support, know that everyone is here for you!

[silversurfer220]

Thanks for the input. I went out to the car tonite and it fired right up. I picked up a camcorder to tape record everything when I start it up. Completely irritating that something would have to be done like that, but oh well. I checked the battery cables and there is no corosion on them.

I would LOVE to get rid of the car, but I'd lose about 10K on it when I trade it in. Apparantly because it is silver, it has crappy resale value and trade in value, or at least thats what Ive been told. I'd rather not be paying still for this piece of junk on my next car loan.

I wish Toyota would participate in the Lemon law, but they dont. So that wont work. I do know an attorney (my mom), but she and her partners are not quite sure how to go about suing them, because the dealership has on record that they think that I'm "fabricating" a problem.

I'm going to drive 45 miles away this next week for an oil change and hit that dealership with its problems and see what they say- maybel they'll look at it.

Something else I forgot to put in the first post- BEFORE I bought the vehicle, it had been in the shop for repair for a "NO START" concern while it was sitting on the lot. They took it in the shop and found out the transponder key was bad, so they replaced all of them. MAYBE that wasnt all of the problem, but they wont tell me, because the service documents from prior to my purchase have been deleted out of their computer.

argghhh