2004 Avensis Starting Problem - Please Help!

[StevieB1976]

HI,

I am unable to start my 2.0l petrol 2004 Avensis. I was unable to jump start it this morning, but did manage to bump start with the help of the neighbours. I then replaced the Battery with a brand new one but nothing happens when I try to start it. I can hear the solenoid kicking in and the Battery voltage drops, but no start. When it did run the alternator was kicking out 14V sothat seems ok. The engine warning indicator remains on. I have a feeling the immobiliser is playing up. I have a mechanic en-route but wondered if anyone had any ideas please? Typical on a bank holidy weekend so I can't get to Toyota till Tuesday, wife is going mad!!!!

any advice greatly appreciated.

Steve

[t-spiritpete]

HI,

I am unable to start my 2.0l petrol 2004 Avensis. I was unable to jump start it this morning, but did manage to bump start with the help of the neighbours. I then replaced the battery with a brand new one but nothing happens when I try to start it. I can hear the solenoid kicking in and the battery voltage drops, but no start. When it did run the alternator was kicking out 14V sothat seems ok. The engine warning indicator remains on. I have a feeling the immobiliser is playing up. I have a mechanic en-route but wondered if anyone had any ideas please? Typical on a bank holidy weekend so I can't get to Toyota till Tuesday, wife is going mad!!!!

any advice greatly appreciated.

Steve

Hello Steve, I would think it's the starter motor or a bad earth to the engine block, you can test for the earth problem by just using one of the jump lead cables from Battery Neg to the engine block direct, I would put money on the starter motor/solenoid assembly though.

Pete.

[StevieB1976]

Thanks,Pete, the mechanic has been and was useless, only knew how to jump start or take me to Toyota, £40 not well spent. The engine malfunction light is on if that is a clue? So if the stater motor is faulty would I still be able to bump start like I did this morning??? I will have a look at it in the morning, really frustrated now, and no help from Toyota till Tuesday, brilliant!

thanks, Steve

[t-spiritpete]

Thanks,Pete, the mechanic has been and was useless, only knew how to jump start or take me to Toyota, £40 not well spent. The engine malfunction light is on if that is a clue? So if the stater motor is faulty would I still be able to bump start like I did this morning??? I will have a look at it in the morning, really frustrated now, and no help from Toyota till Tuesday, brilliant!

thanks, Steve

Hi mate sorry you didn't get much joy with the £40 mechanic , yes you can bump or tow start your car with a knackered starter motor.

Good luck anyway and hope the fault is sorted without spending too much but this is unlikely taking it into a main dealers.

Pete.

[StevieB1976]

Hi Pete,

Me and my 9 year old have spent the morning tinkering. When he tries to start it and I give the solenoid a thump it sounds like current is trying to get through but not enough. We took the starter motor off and stripped it, the brushes were filthy and lots of clump of carbon came out. I gave it a clean and refitted but same response. I never thought to open up the solenoid (not sure if I could do anything with it anyway. I am now considering shorting the solenoid out to try and start the car but am a bit of a !Removed! and worried about blowing up either me or the car, or both!!!

Should I just get a new starter motor, Halfords have quoted £450 new or £270 for a reconditioned one. Anyone know any quick cheaper supplier's in Bristol/South West area?

Thanks for your help, taking your advice and leaving Toyota till a very last resort, hate to think how much they would charge me!

[Roker]

Don't bypass the soleniod, there is a hell of a current there, it could weld a screwdriver or cable to it. It sounds like the contacts are dirt and pitted in the solenoid.

[t-spiritpete]

Hi Pete,

Me and my 9 year old have spent the morning tinkering. When he tries to start it and I give the solenoid a thump it sounds like current is trying to get through but not enough. We took the starter motor off and stripped it, the brushes were filthy and lots of clump of carbon came out. I gave it a clean and refitted but same response. I never thought to open up the solenoid (not sure if I could do anything with it anyway. I am now considering shorting the solenoid out to try and start the car but am a bit of a !Removed! and worried about blowing up either me or the car, or both!!!

Should I just get a new starter motor, Halfords have quoted £450 new or £270 for a reconditioned one. Anyone know any quick cheaper supplier's in Bristol/South West area?

Thanks for your help, taking your advice and leaving Toyota till a very last resort, hate to think how much they would charge me!

Hello again,

contact a local auto-electrician who would surely overhaul the starter motor for less than £200.00 just put this into Google search auto electrician bristol area as there are loads to choose from.

Good luck ... Pete.

[StevieB1976]

Ordered a recon from local motor shop in Keynsham (Very helpful) first one that came connectors were in wrong place. 24hr wait and second one was a good fit, just needed to extend the control cable to fit. £120 quid and the car goes again, wife gets to ASDA and I'm back in the good books!

Just shows that going into a blind panic like I did on Saturday probably didn't help (£40 mechanic, that'll teach me). Thanks to Pete for your advice,glad I found this forum.

Steve