No Ignition- Maybe Again Ignition Switch After 7 Years5T

[thdt98]

Hi Everyone,

I am back to this forum seeking for help after years of no trouble at all from our old Avensis Estate Auto CDX from 2001.

Tonight on the supermarket parking lot the engine refuse to start..all lights are on but no ignition, the starter even is no clicking.

The rescue guy tried the Battery, knocking the starter, checking the fuses and relay but no luck.

I remembered that maybe 6/7 years ago (thanks to this forum) I managed to change the ignition switch. I do remember that the fault did not happen so sudden,you had to wiggle a bit to get it working but maybe this time it is different.

Does anyone can help to diagnose wether it is the ignition switch or not?...maybe there is an access somewhere on a connector to check if the switch is working or not.

I found again the tutorial showing how to change the ignition switch (that might help someone)

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/44971-starting-problems-on-avensis-solution

I need to add that I cannot use Park from the gear box even with
ignition key set to on and the break pedal full down...If I am correct
there is an electric security system controlling that...is it the same
switch than the one controlling the starter?

[thdt98]

I need to add that I cannot use Park from the gear box even with ignition key set to on and the break pedal full down...If I am correct there is an electric security system controlling that...is it the same switch than the one controlling the starter?

[alan333]

The car won't start if it thinks it's in gear. Start by looking at the gear selector area for a faulty switch.

[thdt98]

Thanks Alan333

It was the gear selector which was dislodged. The gear stick could go only on neutral, drive and lower gears. The engine would not start.

We tested the ignition switch, both side AM1 and AM2. It was fine.

Defore seeing your post we found that the starter relay was not connected to ground and we started to look at the gear box after searching all fuses boxes we found 4.

I

When you remove the gear stick be careful to the Overdrive switch and it has to be removed before pulling everything out. We found it the hard way as the 2 wires snaped off the switch. We decided to solder 2 longer wires just in case we need to go back there.

We put back the round rubber that we found below the gear stick to the inside of the gear selector lever and pushed back in position with a washer. Now it will be impossible for the rubber to get out.

It is not too complicated to remove the gear box panel, two screws are hidden inside the rear compartiment. The bottom has to be pulled out.

Thanks again