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Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start?

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Tahir Azam
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The Toyota Avalon is a car that was introduced in 1995, and it has been a favorite among many ever since.

It’s the perfect car for families and those who like to travel, but it also holds its own as a luxury sedan for those who want something more than just an average sedan.

It may drive and feel great, but the Toyota Avalon is not another worldly car. It has its list of issues.

One of these problems is that the engine won’t start. Many owners have been left scratching their heads and wondering, “Why won’t my Toyota Avalon start?”.

The possible reasons are:

  1. Weak Battery
  2. Corrosion On The Terminals
  3. Key Fob Low On Charge
  4. Faulty Alternator
  5. Clogged Fuel Filter

Don’t you worry. These issues will be talked about in detail, along with solutions to them. All you need to do is sit down and read through this article.

Let’s get started!

What Would Cause A Toyota Avalon To Not Start?

What issues does my Toyota Avalon have when it does not turn over? Read my in-depth guide

I will not waste any of your time discussing the issues written in the introduction above.

I suggest that you don’t skip over anything, or you may spend money on parts that don’t require any fixing.

1: Weak Battery

If your Toyota Avalon is not starting, the first thing you should do is check your battery.

You can do this by removing the positive and negative cables from the battery and connecting a voltmeter to the terminals.

The reading will determine if the battery is just low on charge or if it has reached the point that it needs replacement.

Many reasons can cause a weak battery on the Toyota Avalon. It could be age, a faulty alternator responsible for charging the battery or using it in unfavorable conditions.

What Should You Do About It?

  • If you have determined that your car isn’t turning over because of a weak battery, then you should charge it by connecting it to a charger or another battery of a vehicle. This will help restore some of its power to start the car again.
  • If jumping is not the solution, replace it with a new one as soon as possible. The process is simple and can be done by yourself in under 30 minutes; given you have the correct tools.
  • There are many new battery options out there. I would suggest getting an AGM one. It is maintenance-free and performs better under extreme conditions.
  • Also, ensure that your Toyota Avalon’s new battery does not have a manufacturing date that is too old. Anything under a year is fine.

2: Corrosion On The Terminals

If you’re having trouble starting your Toyota Avalon, it could be because of corrosion on the battery terminals.

This is one of the most common causes of starting problems and has left many people wondering what is wrong with their vehicles.

You may be wondering what exactly does corrosion do? Corrosion can cause the electrical connection between your engine and the car’s battery to falter.

This means there isn’t enough power flowing from your battery to turn the engine. This leads to you being stranded, leaving for the office, or on the side of the road.

What Should You Do About It?

  • The first thing you should do if you suspect that your Toyota Avalon is not starting because of corrosion on the terminals then check for any signs of damage.
  • If you see a white powder or rust around them, they have been corroded and need to be cleaned off so they can function properly again.
  • Just use a toothbrush or something similar to clean them off and gently scrub off any residue until all signs of corrosion are gone.
  • Sometimes a toothbrush just isn’t enough. You can mix vinegar and baking soda with helping break it up. Then use a wire brush to eliminate the corrosion.
  • If that does not work, then the only thing you can do is to replace the battery of your Toyota Avalon.

3: Key Fob Low On Charge

If your Toyota Avalon doesn’t start, there could be several reasons. One common reason is that the key fob is low on charge and cannot communicate with the car.

This can happen if you have been using the key fob for a long time and the battery is just drained. Key fobs are notorious for lasting through thick and thin.

There is a close to zero chance that they can be faulty. So, the only possible source of the issue is that the cell inside it has run out of juice.

You may not be able to unlock your car, or worse, you may not be able to start it.

This is a known issue with newer vehicles that use keyless entry and can happen once every few years.

What Should You Do About It?

  • If you’re having trouble starting your vehicle and think your key fob may be low on charge, you will need to replace the battery.
  • The fob, on the more recent models, uses a CR2032 battery. This can be commonly found at any hardware store and is cheap. You can expect to pay a couple of dollars for a new battery.
  • Replacing is the easy part. You need a flathead screwdriver and the cell itself. Remove the back cover by prying it off. It is easy, and there is no way you can get it wrong.
  • Next, use the screwdriver to take out the old cell. Yes, that is why we are using it.
  • Insert the new cell and put the cover back on.
  • And that’s it! You can finally enter and start your Toyota Avalon.

4: Faulty Alternator

Your Toyota Avalon’s alternator is responsible for generating power for the engine and other electrical components, so it’s important to check it regularly.

If your alternator is faulty, your battery may not be holding a charge, so you won’t be able to start your Avalon.

Although some simple tests can help you determine whether or not your alternator is working properly, it’s always best to get a mechanic’s opinion before replacing any parts.

The question arises, how can one be sure that the alternator is faulty? Well, many symptoms are easily noticeable. The first one is a slow infotainment system.

It may sometimes restart or glitch out, signaling it is not getting enough current.

There may also be a battery warning light, which usually means an issue with the battery. If it is not getting charged, then it will turn on too.

What Should You Do About It?

  • The first step when dealing with an alternator issue is to take care of any electrical issues in your Toyota Avalon.
  • This includes checking all fuses and making sure that all connections are tight. If this doesn’t solve the problem, have the vehicle towed to a mechanic for repairs.
  • If the diagnosis is indeed related to the alternator, I suggest you replace it.
  • You can expect to pay around $500, including labor charges, to get a new alternator installed in your Avalon. It will not cost you an arm and a leg.

5: Clogged Fuel Filter

One of the rarer reasons for a car not starting is a clogged fuel filter. This is usually caused by sediment in the fuel tank or an old fuel filter that’s no longer doing its job.

This is a very frustrating issue, especially if you have checked all other potential sources of issues.

So, what exactly does the fuel filter do?

It has been designed to prevent contaminants that are present in the fuel from reaching the engine.

The gas that you get from the station is not clean. It has sediments and debris that can wreak havoc on the engine.

Well, the fuel filter is what prevents that. It gathers debris over time and gets clogged.

This leads to fuel not being able to pass through and enter the engine, which can result in the Toyota Avalon stalling when driving or not starting at all.

What Should You Do About It?

  • The first thing you should do if you suspect that your fuel filter is clogged is to call a mechanic that can perform a quick inspection.
  • If they find that the fuel filter is indeed clogged, they’ll recommend replacing it as soon as possible, so you don’t run into any further problems with your Avalon’s performance or safety features.
  • You can do this yourself and save some money on labor charges. The process is very simple. You need a few tools, which are commonly found in most homes.
  • Although you can make do with cleaning the filter, which allows fuel to pass through, it is recommended that you replace it altogether.
  • A new filter is cheap, and it will last you for around a decade. So, you will not have to worry about it failing or contaminants entering the engine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start With New Battery?

It’s important to check the battery first because if it’s low on charge, it could be causing your Avalon to not start.

This is common with new batteries that have been on the shelf for a few months.

The next thing you should check is if the cables are frayed.

Q2. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start Even With A Jump?

When a car does not start, jumping the battery is normally the answer. If your Toyota Avalon doesn’t start, even after that, then you need to check if there is corrosion on the terminals.

Not only that, but it can be that the starter motor may be at fault, preventing the engine from turning over.

Q3. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start But Lights Work?

The fact that your lights are working means that your battery is not at fault. It is supplying current, which means it is also holding a charge.

There can be two possible reasons for this. Either the terminals are corroded, which means not all current can be transferred, or the starter motor is faulty.

Q4. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start But Cranks?

One of the most common causes of this problem is clogged fuel filters. If the filter is clogged, it can restrict the flow of gas through the filter, which will prevent the engine from starting.

Another possible issue is failing spark plugs. Both can result in a cranking sound being produced.

Q5. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start Just Clicks?

Most of the time, a clicking sound is caused by a dead battery. If you’ve tried to start your Toyota Avalon and all it does is click, then the most likely cause is a dead battery.

Your best option is to replace the battery. I would suggest getting an AGM one.

Q6. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start In The Cold Weather?

The first thing we want to do is make sure that the battery has enough cranking amps. The Avalon’s battery should have at least 800 CA, and even more, is better.

If your current battery isn’t meeting this requirement, it could be causing your car to not start in such weather conditions.

Q7. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start After I Get Gas?

There are a few reasons why your Toyota Avalon might not start after you get gas, but the first thing to check is the fuel filter.

Check for dirt or debris in the filter, and if you find any, replace it. If that doesn’t work, you may have a failing fuel pump.

Q8. Why Won’t My Toyota Avalon Start But Radio Works?

If your Toyota Avalon is not able to start, but the radio works, it’s possible that your battery may be low on charge and needs to be jumpstarted.

It’s also possible that the terminals are corroded, in which case you’ll want to clean them off with a wire brush before trying to start your car again.

Related: What Are The Worst Years For The Toyota Avalon?

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are many reasons why you might be having trouble starting your Toyota Avalon.

The most common is that you need a new battery or alternator, but there are a number of other issues that can cause problems with your Avalon’s starting system.

If you’ve been having trouble starting your car, and cannot narrow down the issue, then I would recommend getting the car checked by a professional.

I hope that if you have read this article and if you face this issue some other time, which is highly unlikely, you will not have to worry and think about “Why won’t my Toyota Avalon start?”.

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