G'day tech team,
Some time ago (back in June) I went to my truck, got in and attempted to start it but it wouldn't start ("right out of the blue"). I tried again and it refused. I tried maybe ten or fifteen times; getting in and out of it, locking it and unlocking it, to sorta...
'start from scratch' each time, and the last time I tried ... it started! I even started a thread to see if anyone here had a clue as to what was wrong but the mystery remained just that, a Great mystery; even Toyota couldn't figure it out!
Well today it happened again and I believe I know what's caused this "vague, nebulous, intermittent enigma"! Not sure if any of you have experienced this trouble that I've described but today it hit me like a "Ton-O-Bricks"! Maybe someone here can convert my theory into simple fact or explanation, "Or totally disprove this theory" which is fine too (I'm not married to it) but if you're going to dis-prove my theory, please just make
damn sense! Here's what I did each time it happened and I didn't make the connection then.
Every time it happened, the night before, I had twisted the steering wheel 'hard' to the extreme right (to the stops) in order to straighten the truck out in between the parking space lines; after which I held the steering wheel firmly (against the opposing resistance of the wheels until I killed the engine and the steering wheel locked)... the opposing force was tremendous once the power steering was cut as the engine shutdown. And I remember being relieved once I heard the steering lock mechanism engage so I could let go!
But today when it happened (no start) and then it finally started, I heard that lock mechanism release with a mighty
..."KA-BANG"! My theory is that when I'm trying to start it like that (with so much force on the lock mechanism), that some facet of the security system "believes" that there has been an intrusion, and the steering wheel is being
'forced to turn' while under security system domain. The "Engine immobilizer" is activated, preventing the truck from starting under these circumstances; even holding the key fob on the start button will not authorize an upstart!
Now I'm not sure what part of the security system (if any) monitors 'Steering wheel tampering' but I'm certain it has to do with that because it has only happened when I've done as I've described... and the truck shook violently when it did start and the lock release disengaged. And if you don't think that the 'SW lock' has anything to do with it, take the
"rigtec challenge"... get in your truck and tweak the steering wheel hard against wheel resistance to the stops w/engine running, shut it down, listen for it to lock and see what happens... I'll bet it won't start if you've done it right. Try it a few times "If you dare"
Does anyone know if there is any aspect of this security system that monitors the "Locking steering wheel" mechanism when the vehicle is off(?); don't like basing my theory on a hunch but when that's all you've got... Thanks guys/gals, rgds!
rig, cheers