So here's a weird little mechanical mystery

"Chairman Kaga" (mike-mckinnon) 02/26/2014 at 06:36 • Filed to: None

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For the past two days my wife's '02 Camry has been dead as a door nail when she went to start it in the morning. Absolutely nothing, as if the battery (practically new) was totally dead. So she comes inside to tell me, and spontaneously the alarm will start going off, and then it's fine.

The battery is fine. The terminals are clean and tight. No loose cables or connections. I'm stumped.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 06:38

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Alarm module problem?

cnessel27 > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 06:39

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Aftermarket alarm?

cnessel27 > cnessel27 02/26/2014 at 06:47

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Only reason why I ask is I've seen ign disable functions on aftermarket alarms cause issues. Also if you baught the car second hand check and see if you have an aftermarket alarm you didn't know you had.

Chairman Kaga > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/26/2014 at 06:50

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Possibly. I assume the car has a security kill switch. I don't know how to bypass or disable it though. Not yet anyway.

Wonder if it could also be a grounding issue?

Chairman Kaga > cnessel27 02/26/2014 at 06:50

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Factory. Everything on this car is factory.

thebigbossyboss > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 06:53

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This sounds exactly like GM pass lock malfunctioning. I assume it's the same problem, only the Toyota version.

I assume, it's time for a new car key. The proximity sensor in the key is probably nearly dead. Do you have one of those triangle things for the proximity sensor?

Chairman Kaga > thebigbossyboss 02/26/2014 at 07:02

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I don't think this car has a prox sensor though. It's a 02 so it does have the "key recognition" yada yada, but I thought was just determined by whether or not the key was in the ignition switch. I know you have to install a security bypass if you get a remote starter for this reason. Still, I'll look into that as a possibility.

thebigbossyboss > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 07:26

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My parents '00 Toyota Sienna had the fob for locking and unlocking, a little triangle for the prox sensor, and then the ignition key. Yours may be different, but either way I almost guarantee this is some type of anti theft malfunction. Keep us informed!

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 07:36

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It could easily be a grounding issue with the module. I don't think it's a problem with the ignition switch

yamahog > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 07:43

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Chairman Kaga > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/26/2014 at 08:20

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So she went back out and it was dead again. So we sat in the car for a few minutes to call the shop, and noticed the alarm light started glowing dimly and making a clicking sound (relay?), before other dash lights slowly started coming back to life. Then the alarm went off, and we could start the car. And then it died again.

No clue. Possibly a truly bad battery? Cable? Wiring? Hmm.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 09:09

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Bad battery is likely then. Try going to AutoZone and getting a free battery and alternator test and report

Chairman Kaga > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/26/2014 at 10:07

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It's from Interstate, so I'm running it by over lunch. It's still under warranty, so hopefully they'll just swap us a brand new one.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 10:42

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Final brand at the store doesn't matter. They're all made by Johnson Controls or Exide exclusively nowadays

Chairman Kaga > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/26/2014 at 21:55

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Battery is perfect. Wiring continuity is good. Ground continuity is good.

Main relay?

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 21:56

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that's a good thing to check yeah

Chairman Kaga > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 02/26/2014 at 22:37

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The main fuse was fine. Swapped the horn relay for the EFI relay and it started right up. Which doesn't mean a whole lot because it started right up the last time I thought I fixed it by cleaning the terminals. I didn't have the energy or gumption to load test the relay tonight but I'll check it tomorrow. And if the car doesn't start in the morning, that's one more thing we can rule out.

I think the last possible issue I can fix is the main fuse and relay panel. The power is fed from underneath so the whole damn thing will have to come out, and it's held in place with a million billion brittle plastic clips. Happy happy joy joy.

The wife thinks this is a sign to unload the aging beast and get the new family car we've been talking about getting, but deciding to kick the can down the road just three more months... for the past 3 years. I can't totally disagree. Sooner or later it's going to be something that is too expensive to fix and destroys whatever value is still in it.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Chairman Kaga 02/26/2014 at 22:39

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Get a Fiesta Ecoboost 1.0L 3-cylinder hatchback!