Starter button inop, please help.

[68whiskey]

Alright folks. 2010 Limited here. The remote works to unlock the doors per usual, but the starter button will not do anything at all. It lights up how it should, but will not even turn the accessories on.

Some history: I’ve had it for a couple of years now but it’s been mostly sitting as it needed some bodywork done. I’ve started it on a semi-regular basis when I could; it was in a storage garage. Just a couple of weeks ago, the battery was flat. It was old to begin with, so I replaced it. When I replaced it, it came to life as usual. It started up, everything worked, I drove it about a mile to make sure that was the case. Fast forward to a couple days ago, the push-to-start will not work.

Some things I’ve done: I started with the easiest thing and replaced the battery in the remote hoping that’s all it was. Checked all fuses related to ignition and the smart key system. The switch for the brake pedal works as it should since the taillights work. The button itself is getting power. I’ve tried holding the key to the button and pushing it that way as well. Also tried holding the starter button down for 30 seconds for the override that supposedly exists.

If the accessories turned on but it wouldn’t crank, I’d be a lot less confused. But I can’t even get it to do that. It literally does nothing to try and start the truck. It recognizes the key, though. I’m hoping it is something simple that I’m overlooking, but I’m fresh out of ideas. I’ve googled to no end, but all I can find are answers related to a dead key fob battery or the actual battery itself. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[cbaty08]

edit: I misread, OP, and thought your remote start wasn't working. Oops

 

[ttime4four]

My first thought is the battery. You could have a parasitic drain that caused the battery to go flat -- down to where minimal voltage is there to unlock the car, but not enough is there to light up the dash.
If you have a multi-meter, what voltage are you getting from the battery?

Second thought is the car is not "seeing" the key (assuming we are talking keyless). That could have a bunch of issues (fob battery, malfunction on sensor, etc).

 

[thennen]

If you have a parasitic drain, the new battery could be flat again after two weeks of sitting. Any way you can get a fresh battery to it, or jump it from another vehicle? Also, because I don't know, does having push-button start eliminate the keyed ignition?

Oops - ttime4four beat me to it.

 

[68whiskey]

If you have a parasitic drain, the new battery could be flat again after two weeks of sitting. Any way you can get a fresh battery to it, or jump it from another vehicle? Also, because I don't know, does having push-button start eliminate the keyed ignition?

Oops - ttime4four beat me to it.

This was my initial thought, and that’s one thing that I forgot to include in the post; I did try and jump start it. I assumed the battery may have been sitting long or there was a drain of some sort. I have it a good amount of time using my Ridgeline and it didn’t change a thing. And part of the reason it’s so maddening is that there isn’t a place to use a physical key.

 

[68whiskey]

My first thought is the battery. You could have a parasitic drain that caused the battery to go flat -- down to where minimal voltage is there to unlock the car, but not enough is there to light up the dash.
If you have a multi-meter, what voltage are you getting from the battery?

Second thought is the car is not "seeing" the key (assuming we are talking keyless). That could have a bunch of issues (fob battery, malfunction on sensor, etc).

I thought about the drain and tried jumping it as well. It didn’t change anything. I’m leaning towards the key not being recognized as far as the starting function is concerned, but I don’t know what could have gone bad or changed. The fob battery is new. And it the remote unlocks the car. And I’m hoping it’s not a proximity issue of not recognizing the fob to start.

 

[Bossman]

Maybe some ideas in these threads.

Smart Key Pushbutton Start Issue

My 4Runner Won't Always Start

 

[spartacus]

Wouldn't hurt to check all the brake related fuses as well.

 

[badattitude]

Just for testing...try holding the FOB near the push to start button. Like one inch away and press the start button. I know you said you tried a new FOB battery but holding the FOB very close to the Push to Start button is a workaround for a inoperable FOB. Apparently there is some sort of NFC chip in the fob that works when the FOB battery is dead. worth a try.

 

[Superjet]

Press the Start/stop button using with the tip of the remote in on it. That is backup method if you have FOB issues.

 

[68whiskey]

Just for testing...try holding the FOB near the push to start button. Like one inch away and press the start button. I know you said you tried a new FOB battery but holding the FOB very close to the Push to Start button is a workaround for a inoperable FOB. Apparently there is some sort of NFC chip in the fob that works when the FOB battery is dead. worth a try.

This was one of the more common solutions I’ve found that didn’t work. I was really hoping it would.

 

[68whiskey]

Maybe some ideas in these threads.

Smart Key Pushbutton Start Issue

My 4Runner Won't Always Start

I went through this as well. It was one of the posts I had found in my initial search, and part of the problem is that I can’t even get into accessory mode. The button simply does not do anything but light up.

 

[cbaty08]

Just curious, why not have the dealer work it out?

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

Is the vehicle in park? And if it is, try depressing the brake and moving the shift lever out of park and then back into park. And while still holding the brake, push the button to start. If it still doesn't work, disconnect the vehicle battery for a bit, maybe 10 minutes. Reconnect battery and try again. Also make sure battery is charged like someone else said.

 

[4runninDrew]

Also came here to mention about making sure it is in park. I have not personally had an issue first hand, but I've read that the park neutral switch has been known to rust up and cause issues, especially for you with the vehicle sitting so much.

Edit: Also just came to me. Try to give your steering wheel a wiggle, I have seen when the steering lock on smart key vehicles isn't quite in the right spot/engaged properly, and it doesn't like that for starting. Aside from that, recommend trying to see if there are any trouble codes.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

Also came here to mention about making sure it is in park. I have not personally had an issue first hand, but I've read that the park neutral switch has been known to rust up and cause issues, especially for you with the vehicle sitting so much.

Edit: Also just came to me. Try to give your steering wheel a wiggle, I have seen when the steering lock on smart key vehicles isn't quite in the right spot/engaged properly, and it doesn't like that for starting. Aside from that, recommend trying to see if there are any trouble codes.

I've definitely not been in park before and tried to start the vehicle and when it wouldn't start I thought I busted something. Turned out I just needed to put the damn thing in PARK LOL. I had moved the shifter back to neutral to give me some more room to work behind the dash (parking brake was on of course) and when I was finished, I forgot to put it back in park. Had a mini heart attack and was thinking I stretched some important wire out of a connection or something. My buddy came over to take a look and said uuuuuuhhhhhh put the thing in park you FNG! [MENTION=151737]mrblah[/MENTION]