Car shut off when switched to overdrive?

Tiny
TOYPACIFIC
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 198,000 MILES
Hey guys, I’m back with another one here, I was driving my vehicle last week and all I did was click into overdrive and the car just stalled and shut off. Now it still cranked over but would not start back up. All fuses checked thinking I popped a fuse but all fuses good I even bought a new fuel pump relay just in case but still no start up. I sprayed some starter fluid but still got nothing no budge. I’m curious if timing is gone but it doesn’t sound like plus these four cylinders are a chain and not a belt. So, I’m assuming not also I’m not going to say not possible either but anyhow I appreciate if y’all can help me solve this issue. I plugged in my OBD but something wrong with the wiring the OBD is not reading the vehicle. I would also like to mention if I did the starter fluid, and nothing happens would that indicate it’s possibly not the fuel pump? I tried to listen in to hear if the fuel pump went on but couldn’t hear anything. Anyways like I said anything helps to get me in the right diagnostic direction, thank you all in advance.
Saturday, February 25th, 2023 AT 10:22 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
How does the engine sound when cranking over? If you can upload a short video of the engine cranking, I can tell if the engine is still good, the fact that it won't start on starting fluid means it will be a compression or ignition problem.

This video can show you if the ignition system is working:

https://youtu.be/baq_aEWNQ0Y

This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-not-running-advanced

Please go over these guides and report back.
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Monday, February 27th, 2023 AT 7:43 AM
Tiny
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Sorry for the long-awaited reply, I got deployed at the last minute on a short tour. Anyway, here’s the video, we changed out the ignition switch and still nothing. Also, I tried plugging my obd2 and it won’t read anything.
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Friday, March 17th, 2023 AT 11:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Thank you for your service, the engine does not sound normal, let's remove the spark plug and do a compression test which you can get the tester for the auto parts store for cheap or free. Here is a guide to help you and thanks for the video, it helps.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

Please go over this guide and report back.
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Sunday, March 19th, 2023 AT 11:15 AM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 159 POSTS
Thank you so much I appreciate you. And will do the compression test and will update this forum. God bless and thank you again.
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Monday, March 20th, 2023 AT 2:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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No problem, please let us know.
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Monday, March 20th, 2023 AT 1:03 PM

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