2002 died at intersection

[This Old Spouse]

My 2002 has an occasional "hiccup" while I'm driving, generally while accelerating. I don't know if this has anything to do with what happened yesterday, which was that it died at a stoplight after I'd been on the highway for some time. I could NOT get it started again, and some wonderful samaritan pushed me across the intersection. When I turned the key, the idiot lights came on but there was no click from the ignition. Nothing. I spent some time on the phone then went out and jiggled the battery cables. It started. The rest of my trip I'd turn off the air conditioner when I came to a stop and I made it home without further problems.

Now, I don't know if it started because of the battery cable or because it had been turned off for 15 minutes or so. Anybody experience this before? I need help soon because I have to make a 650 mile round trip tomorrow!

[Rehabber]

By all means disconnect the battery cables, neutralize any acid /corrosion with baking soda and water. Clean posts and terminals with a wire brush. Reassemble and hope for the best. Bad connections cause all kinds of problems.

[This Old Spouse]

Well, we drove around running errands today, and half a block from home waiting for the mail truck to move, it died again. At least this time 1) we could push it to our driveway, and 2) the starter turned over. And over. And over. Won't start at all now. We're going to get some injector cleaner and I'm switching to premium, but none of that will matter unless I can get her started again. Any thoughts?

[This Old Spouse]

So we had it towed to the shop because it never did start again. It's been in the shop for more than a week (not a Toyota mechanic, but he's pretty good nonetheless) but he can't figure out what's wrong. He thinks he has it narrowed down to a problem with the security system. He said he tried to start it this morning (after disconnecting and reconnecting the battery, checking fuel lines, etc.) and said it sounded like a timing problem. I think he was probably closer with the security issue.


Anyone? PLEASE???? If he can't figure it out the closest Toyota dealer is 50 miles away and he'll have to tow it there!! That'll hurt my wallet considerably.

[03rav4inPA]

Fuel pump? If it sounds like it wants to start, it's probably not getting fuel from a dying fuel pump.

[Blogson]

Originally Posted by This Old Spouse

Anyone? PLEASE???? If he can't figure it out the closest Toyota dealer is 50 miles away and he'll have to tow it there!! That'll hurt my wallet considerably.

This won't be helpful to you at this point but it might be to others - we're about 100 miles from the nearest dealers for our cars and I've kept our AAA Premier service including roadside assistance active, just in case - includes my motorcycle.

[vanib]

You can still get AAA and call them a few days after activation to tow the car. I think you have to wait 2 days before you can call them for the first service?

[Blogson]

Originally Posted by vanib

You can still get AAA and call them a few days after activation to tow the car. I think you have to wait 2 days before you can call them for the first service?

According to the terms of service that's correct - they use the time frame of 48 hours after activation. But when signing up it's important to check the level of service - the Basic service covers towing for only 5 miles. The next service levels cover towing for, I believe, 100 miles but the membership cost is more expensive.

Some auto insurance policies also cover towing - it's usually an additional cost item but the cost on our policy is only $5 U.S. for six months.

[This Old Spouse]

As it turns out my insurance company will pay for it. It's not the fuel pump.

[Soxfan]

Sorry to hear about your problems. I recently had a similar issues with my 01 rav. I had parked it at a resturant and went inside to eat and about 45 min later came out to no power at all. the alarm would not disarm but i was able to unlock manually and try the valet switch. still nothing. after 2 hours i came back to the car and it unarmed and started without a problem altho the driver side door lock no longer functioned. i have an aftermarket alarm and upon inspection there was a loose wire under the hood and problem solved.

Good luck with the car and i hope its not to costly