Quote:
Originally Posted by Addyme03
...spontaneously just die.
...a month goes by and now it just died for no reason, loss of all mechanical and electrical full stop.
...They clean the throttle body and off we go and they are stumped as well.
...BOOM it dies 4 times and each time it starts up again ON IT'S OWN! I did not even have time to turn the key off before it starts again?
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Probably an ignition switch issue.
The idiots who charged you for throttle-body cleaning as a supposed remedy for this issue are nothing but thieves. The idea that anything relating to the cleanliness of the throttle body has anything to do with the vehicle spontaneously shutting off or re-starting is beyond absurd. It is fraud.
The vehicles are wired such that once you turn the key to full crank position, you don't actually have to hold the key to the full crank position in order to cause the starter to keep turning until the engine fires. I don't care for that feature, but it is fundamental to understanding why your vehicle is cranking all by itself.
The only reasonable explanation is that the ignition switch is failing (internally) such that the switch activates the FULL CRANK POSITION without you actually turning the key to that position.
Similarly, since we are operating on the notion that the ignition switch is the culprit here, it is equally logical that the failing switch will fall (internally) to the IGNITION OFF position just as easily as it will fall to the FULL CRANK position.
The switch could be tested with a multimeter for correct operation in the various positions. Jostling the switch during testing may cause cause it to move to unintended positions, and may verify this to be the cause of the erratic behavior.
Frankly, I feel so certain that it is a failing mechanical switch that has seen long use in an old vehicle, I would just replace the switch, and I would lay strong odds this will cause the problem to cease. At worst, the problem remains and you have a new switch on your old vehicle, and you have elimintated the switch as a suspect.
Lastly, you DO NOT want to be taking that old vehicle to the TOYOTA DEALERSHIP for service. They are the absolute worst at helping owners of older vehicles. Just look at how they robbed you on that "throttle body service" for something that even a first-year technician should have immediately identified as an electrical issue.
If you are going to keep old vehicles, you must make it your life's mission to find an INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP that has competent technicians who are willing to work on older vehicles. Such shops do not advertise, and they always have long wait-times for service. If you are going to keep old vehicles, you have to accept these long wait times for competent service. Which unfortunately means you need TWO VEHICLES if you are going to use old vehicles as your daily driver. While vehicle A is down, you drive vehicle B. You have to get your head wrapped around the reality that it may take several weeks to get competent repair at an independent shop.
The only reason to take a vehicle to the dealership is for WARRANTY SERVICE.