Ignition electrical fault

[Rabbit Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rabbit]

Every now and again the electrics cut all power to the car while trying to start. All accessories and warning lights are visual and working before the starter key is moved to the start position but when trying to start all lights, accessories turn off and the starter motor doesn't turn over. This can happen several times before it finally starts. Once it starts the clock, radio, windows and Trip A,B are reset.
Does anyone have any clues? I will be going to see Toyota this week but I wondered if anyone has come across this problem before.
If and when I find out what is wrong I will let you all know.
P.S I can't seem to find the security code for the radio, Do I have to get it from Toyota?

[PAL001 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PAL001]

Hey Rabbit,
you should have received the radio code in the wallet recieved upon delivery. (wtith the service book and radio book)

[Pedro Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pedro]

Rabbit,
I think you would have set the 3 number code , and have 9 attempts to get it right otherwise off to Toyota.

[Firey Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Firey]

Re: Ignition electrical fault

Rabbit,

Sounds like crook connections to the battery. The electrics take far less power than the starter motor so can supply enough current even with a poor connection. When you engage the starter motor the extra current taken by the starter motor causes a big enough voltage drop to cut out everything. I would have a look at your battery terminals, giving them a good clean, apply some petroleum jelly (vaseline) to the posts and tighten the connections properly.

Firey

[Rabbit Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rabbit]

Rabbit,
I think you would have set the 3 number code , and have 9 attempts to get it right otherwise off to Toyota.

I would put the code in but it seems to be missing from the pouch. i guess the original owner of the car has still got it sitting in his little safe place.
I might have to get the old Walkman out of retirement.
Cheers guys

[Strahan Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Strahan]

Hey Rabbit, try a few of these numbers. 000,999,123 any other 3 didgit number that comes to mind. If it shuts down Toyota can unlock it by plugging in the magic box!

[Guest Close Guest]

Sounds like a definite battery or battery lead connection issue.

Try tightening them up and seeing if it fixes it?
Otherwise connect a voltmeter to it and see what voltage it drops to during crank cycle. Anything under about 11 and its a dud battery.

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

I'm with Piggy, it's your battery or possibly the connections.

Sounds suspiciously like a dead cell in the battery. Get it looked at.

FWIW, the security code on my stereo was set to the last three digits of my VIN. Maybe yours is the same?

Best of luck with it,
Drew.

[Addy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Addy]

[quote="Drew"]

FWIW, the security code on my stereo was set to the last three digits of my VIN.


Gee that security for you, so all a thief needs to know you vin when he steels it.

[Rabbit Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rabbit]

Thanks for the replies, I went straight to the battery and found a stripped thread on the battery terminal bolt.... ops:

No luck with the security code as there is no '0' on the radio. I have tried many combo's but no go.

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Mine was the last three digits of the VIN as well. There is a procedure to be followed for entering the code as follows:

Hold in Seek button and press 1
Display should change from SEC to code entry
Enter 3 digit code by pushing 1 button req'd number of times for first digit of code
Push 2 button req'd number of times for second digit of code
Push 3 button req'd number of times for third digit of code
Hold in SCAN button until code registers

And all this from someone who has actually replaced their stereo with an aftermarket headunit. :wink:

Cheers - Byrnsie