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Tiny
JENNIFER GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 TOYOTA AVALON
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 27,500 MILES
Driving, the vehicle would rev really hard while using cruise control. Going up a small hill it shut off. Jumped the car, no go. Replaced the battery, it started after pumping the gas pedal. Only drove it enough to turn it around, it shuts off again. Even then, it was very sluggish, no power.

Get it towed home. I've replaced the plugs, coils, wires, battery, battery terminals, alternator, and starter. It clicks once. Lights on the dash come up. Door open it dings. I can't hear the fuel pump engage after turning the key. I have only driven this car 30 miles. The person sold me a lemon for sure, obviously there is no warranty.

Any help?
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 9:36 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

When you turn the key to start it, you indicated only a click is heard. Do any of the other electrical components stop working and then turn back on? If so, first, confirm the battery terminals are clean and tight. Here is a link to help you:

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

If that checks good, we need to confirm the battery is good. Here is a simple load test you can do at home without tools:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

If the battery checks good, I need you to see if the engine is locked. At the lowest pulley where the serpentine belt is run is the crankshaft pulley. You need to place a socket on it and a breaker bar. See if you can turn the engine by hand.

I attached a pic below showing the pulley and bolt I'm referring to. Also, let me know if there were any odd sounds from the engine, smoke from under the hood or exhaust, or anything you feel may be helpful.

Let me know what you find.

Joe

See pic below
PS: I assume you purchased this from a private owner that told you the car was good. If that is correct, take a look at this link.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/small-claims-book/chapter17-4.html
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Saturday, February 26th, 2022 AT 10:11 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thanks for the reply.
Battery terminals and battery are brand new. Both clean. Battery is at 13.4 volts, fully charged.
I didn't notice any smoke. We replaced the fuel filter and pump also.
Engine won't turn over manually, does that mean it's done?
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Sunday, March 13th, 2022 AT 3:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Jennifer,

Do you mean you are unable to turn the engine by using a breaker bar? If that is the case, then it is locked. Do this, remove the spark plugs and see if you can turn it.

Let me know.

Joe
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Sunday, March 13th, 2022 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We removed the spark plugs and tried to turn it, still nothing.
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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 12:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Jennifer,

If you still can not turn the engine with the plugs removed, it likely is locked up and needs to be replaced.

When it did restart briefly and seemed to have no power, were there any sounds coming from the engine? Also, how many miles are on this engine? My best friend has over 400K on this same vehicle. The only things we do are maintenance and we have replaced the timing belt a few times.

Let me know. Also, let me know if the engine oil was full and clean and if the car was overheating when this happened.

One other thing, if you plan to replace the engine, let me know this as well. I can help you through the procedure.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, March 19th, 2022 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
JENNIFER GARCIA
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I didn't notice any sounds other than revving; it didn't get into dangerously high RPM's though. It didn't overhear, there's still plenty of coolant in the reservoir too.

It has over 300,000, the seller "told" us the engine was replaced at 250,000. No documentation.

I changed the oil just a few days before this happened. Checked it yesterday and it was still full and had good color.

I'm not sure what our next step is. Weve wasted a lot of time and money on this car already.
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 7:59 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Based on everything you have described, it does sound like the engine locked up, but since there were no issues with overheating, no engine noise, and all mentioned, it doesn't make sense.

Here is one other thing to check. Remove the timing belt cover and confirm it is still properly installed and tight. See pic below. It really isn't too hard to remove. At least this way we will know if the belt somehow was jammed causing it to be stuck.

Let me know.

Take care. Also, I'm here to help, so don't be afraid to ask questions or let me know if there is something I can do to help.

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, March 20th, 2022 AT 6:50 PM

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