Ignition switch problems

Tiny
PELOPATA
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 13,000 MILES
Key turns in cylinder but does not engage starter. Feels like linkage (?) Is broken.
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 2:06 PM

37 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
At rear of cylinder is the ignition switch. Remove it from base and test if it is working correctly. Reinstall the ignition key cylinder and check at rear to see if it is turning correctly. The cylinder fails often.

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
PELOPATA
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  • 4 POSTS
Thank you. How do you remove switch?
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
PELOPATA
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  • 4 POSTS
I have been reading about an "immobilizer". Is that possibly what I am looking at inside the cylinder shaft and part of the problem?
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
No, immobilizer is a sensing unit at the steering and not the key itself nor any moving part of it.

Switch is attached by either one or two screws. Removing the screw would allow you to pull the switch out.
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 4:54 PM
Tiny
PELOPATA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Well, here is the culprit. When I finally removed the switch, the broken piece pictured here fell out. Looked like it sheared off another piece. I do not know what this piece or shaft is called but it is what you find inside the lock cylinder and the opposite slotted end extends inside the switch. I had a feeling from the get go it was a broken linkage issue. Now, can I get a replacement part?
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Thursday, July 5th, 2012 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
This part comes together with the lock assembly and you would not be able to get it by itself. You can get an ignition lock assembly from the junkyard and cannibalize this part. This would allow you to keep the present key, unless the cylinders are bad and you want to replace the keys.
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Friday, July 6th, 2012 AT 1:57 PM
Tiny
DSWATLOWSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I just found I have the same issue as you did, were you able to locate the shaft? Or were you stuck paying $300.00 for the whole assembly?
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Saturday, May 17th, 2014 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
DSWATLOWSKI
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 2002 Toyota Avalon XLS, will the part that your referring to, be the same as a one from a Camry?
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Saturday, May 17th, 2014 AT 10:25 AM
Tiny
SHELLWANTS1
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  • 1 POST
I have a 2002 Toyota Avalon, and I also just had this problem was you able to find just this part or did you have to buy the whole thing for $300?
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Thursday, June 26th, 2014 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
LTILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Just bought a used steering column for $75.00. Changed the lock cylinder mechanism. Now the car is trying to start, but just keeps turning over. Wondering if it is a security issue?
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Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014 AT 7:08 PM
Tiny
JACKEL7777
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have the exact same problem and the ignition tumbler rod broke. I removed the ignition cylinder and the ignition switch on the back of the housing, but do not know how to get the tumbler rod out.
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Friday, September 2nd, 2016 AT 5:54 PM
Tiny
SEAKJR01
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 180,000 MILES
Lights, windows and radio work but car won't start makes no sound at all. All fluids are good. Engine light is on I have a new battery new cables I have new alternator and new belts. The car made no weird sounds worked fine two hours before that also had new solenoids replaced
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 107,922 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you have a starter that has gone out and needs to be replaced but to be sure here is a guide that will walk you through the repair with diagrams below to show you how to change out the starter motor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONALDPAT
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Thanks for this guide I had this problem and it was the starter I got a rebuilt one for $167.00 all fixed! I love this site.
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CEA1
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 206,000 MILES
My car stopped on me while driving along and after attempting to restart it the starter will not crank. Prior to it stopping I started experiencing problems with the ignition key lock cylinder and the shifter. I've replaced the ignition key lock cylinder, but the problem still exist. I troubleshooted the ignition switch for proper continuity, all is well. I had it tolled to the local Pep Boy's, they performed a charging system check and all is well, however, they also jumpered the starter an got it to crank. Pep Boy's told me that there's no signal from the ignition to the starter. Is there some fuse or relay I can check to find out if it has shorted out or what would you recommend I check to get to the bottom of the car's problem?
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STEVEW84
  • MECHANIC
  • 673 POSTS
There are 3 main fuses you need to check. Starter-5amp, Main-40amp, Am2-30amp. Have to check to see if you are getting a control to your starter relay. If need a wiring diagram e-mail me at underthecarguy@aol. Com
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ROVER100CAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 3.0L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
Have a new battery cleaned terminals turned key to start nothing happens, currently have battery on charger. Please help
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hey ROVER100CAR,

It sounds like the battery is dead or you have a connection problem, here are some guides to help you,

https://youtu.be/oHTbC73FAgU

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Let me know what you find out

Best, Ken
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,468 POSTS
Hey ROVER,

Any luck with this problem?
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DMILLER27
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 TOYOTA AVALON
  • 113,000 MILES
I changed my battery and now the after market alarm won't stop going off. And the car won't crank.I checked the fuses and the relays and they are all good
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Saturday, February 23rd, 2019 AT 3:28 PM (Merged)

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