Car won't start

[DIAMONDS04SPORT]

Hi all, I have had my 2004 4runner for about a week, and I come out from the store to find a car that won't start. I tried to jump it but he battery seems to be fine. It won't even try to turn over. Nothing happens when I turn the key. Any ideas? I also checked fuses

 

[mikebontoft]

So, absolutely nothing works? No clicking? how bout the interior lights, can you turn the key to run and everything looks normal? If so, sounds like the solenoid on your starter took a crap. If you can get a prybar in there or something long and tap it with a hammer (Touching the starter that is) you might be able to get some more movement out of it IF it's the starter. Helps to have another hand trying to crank while you tap on the starter.

 

[stevec5000]

Hi all, I have had my 2004 4runner for about a week, and I come out from the store to find a car that won't start. I tried to jump it but he battery seems to be fine. It won't even try to turn over. Nothing happens when I turn the key. Any ideas? I also checked fuses

Engine immobilizer problem maybe? I'm not sure what would happen if you tried using a key without the chip in it or a defective chip or receiver but that sounds like what it might be.
Besides the fuses did you check all the fusible links too, the really big ones?

 

[stevec5000]

So, absolutely nothing works? No clicking? how bout the interior lights, can you turn the key to run and everything looks normal? If so, sounds like the solenoid on your starter took a crap. If you can get a prybar in there or something long and tap it with a hammer (Touching the starter that is) you might be able to get some more movement out of it IF it's the starter. Helps to have another hand trying to crank while you tap on the starter.

If tapping on it doesn't do anything I would connect a voltmeter to the connector to see if it's getting power.

 

[mikebontoft]

If tapping on it doesn't do anything I would connect a voltmeter to the connector to see if it's getting power.

If you know how to do it, that's the first thing I would do. If there's no power to the solenoid then the problem exists elsewhere. I'd also check voltage drop on each cable.

 

[TRDCal]

If you have a V8 good luck getting to the starter, its under the intake manifold LOL. But you should hear the relay click when you turn the key to start, if you do its a faulty starter. If you don't hear the click I'd put my money on a faulty engine immobilizer but it could be many things.

 

[mikebontoft]

ah so they did one of those huh? hmm. hopefully it's not the v8 then.

 

[DIAMONDS04SPORT]

So after a new starter was put in, the f***ing car still won't start. My mechanic is saying it could be a bad computer, or possibly engine immobilized like you said. Either way another grand out of my pocket a week after buying the car is really no good. I love the car but wow is it off to a bad start. I sure hope my mechanic can fix it today, and for not much more than I already spent. This is getting ridiculous.

 

[stevec5000]

So after a new starter was put in, the f***ing car still won't start. My mechanic is saying it could be a bad computer, or possibly engine immobilized like you said. Either way another grand out of my pocket a week after buying the car is really no good. I love the car but wow is it off to a bad start. I sure hope my mechanic can fix it today, and for not much more than I already spent. This is getting ridiculous.

Why are you even going to a mechanic who is just guessing? Find someone who knows how to troubleshoot the problem!

 

[NJshadow93]

I hate having to ask this, but...is there gas in the tank?? This just happened to my sister's 2005 RAV4. Tried to start but nothing. Turns out it was out of gas even though the needle was still hovering over the E. Put gas in and it started right up. This was after having it towed to a dealer which moved the little gas left in the tank enough to start the engine but it sputtered to a stop.

 

[KingPrat]

Did you buy it privately? Or through a dealer?

If a dealer, they should have a 30 day warranty on stuff like that.

 

[TRDCal]

Did you take our troubleshooting advice at all or do you prefer the shotgun approach.

 

[TimboSliceMD]

Engine immobilizer problem maybe? I'm not sure what would happen if you tried using a key without the chip in it or a defective chip or receiver but that sounds like what it might be.
Besides the fuses did you check all the fusible links too, the really big ones?

I have a chipless key for my runner that I had made just to open the door. If you put it in the ignition and turn it, it will just sit there and crank without firing. That doesn't entirely rule out an immobilizer problem however.

 

[talonjade]

wait did i miss something here? is he using a non chipped key?

I would suggest taking it back to where you got it and have them fix it...unless you bought it private... then to a deal that doesn't charge you for its incorrect guessing.

:violin:

 

[dadigab]

Should have posted before sorry. now mine does this every couple of weeks today as a matter of fact. there are three fuses two under hood one on dash wiggle them a little or pull them out put them back one. I believe they are call ECM (on board computer controls). Mine the contacts on fuses them selves have scorch burns on them but i cant seem to figure out why they fit tightly but... The fuse puller tool is in fuse panel under hood btw. May even wiggle ecm relay (large blue fuse looking thing under hood in fuse panel). Working on a better answer for me and now for you as well. Its been really hard to diagnose keep trying the switch 5-8 times, mine will start to crank usually.

 

[DIAMONDS04SPORT]

Okay, well after 2 weeks in various shops, my car now starts! It turned out to be the actual computer. Everyone I talked to says they have NEVER seen one fail before, but I guess there is a first time for everything. My mechanic put in a new starter for a GREATLY reduced price, and the dealer was willing to split the cost of the computer job with me. Still was more money than I wanted to spend, but hopefully I can now get my time owned:time in the shop ratio a little better. Thanks for the replies, and I hope for everyone else's sake, you never have to deal with this.

 

[Proelky]

How did they troubleshoot ECU?

How was this issue solved? I'm experiencing the same issue on an 06' V6 4Runner and I've verified the following

Battery at 13V
All ACC, IG1, IG2, ST signals being sent to ECU
At Starter Relay I'm seeing 13V Battery on Pin 5, and 6.50V at Pin 1 from ECU when cranking (ALLDATA says 6V+ is good signal from ECU)

Ground wire OHM checked good
Positive cable checked good

Pulled entire harness from battery to starter, scuffed connections, OHM checked good

Replaced starter and relay still nothing....

Any input would be greatly appreciated as I feel I'm missing something obvious here.