New Starter Switch on '03's

Brian M · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2003, 02:34 PM

As you may have read elsewhere in other posts I recently traded my '01 Seq for an '03. After about two weeks with the new one I noticed what seemed to be the switch hanging up on it when I would start it. I immediately took it to the dealer and left it to be checked.

When I went to pick up the truck last night I spoke at length with the Toyota Service Manager and was told that the '03's have a new starter switch/system that just requires you to give it a quick twist and release and it will conitinue to crank until it starts.....no need to hold the key.

Sure enough I have done that about a dozen times since they told me and yes....that is the way it works. Kinda neat....but takes some getting used to.

Funny part about all of this is that I fancy myself a car nut and more specifically a nut about knowing everything there is to know about the vehicles I own, plan to own, dream about owning or that my friends own.....and no where had I read that this was a change for the '03's. I have not had the chance to recheck the owners manual to see if it is mentioned there.....I most likely blew past that section when I read it the night I bought the truck.

Anyone else know of this? If not....maybe I saved someone else a trip to the dealer.

tclass · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2003, 03:22 PM

Indeed the '03 has a starter hold switch and it is addressed in the manual. I too freaked the first time it happened, and after consulting the manual, felt better knowing it is supposed to do this. It is actually a very kewl feature.

Franz · #3 (**permalink**) 02-20-2003, 03:48 PM

The same thing happened to me about 2 weeks ago. I did not consult the manual again and was just going to wait until I brought the car into the dealer for the 5K service (about 2 more weeks). Thanks very much for the info.

thecarguy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-23-2003, 01:51 AM

One time I didnt hold the key in the start position long enough in my 02 and heard a buzzing. At first I thought it was electric fans spinning but I popped the hood and it was comming from the fuel rail. Is the electric fuel pump pumping all the time like this safe for the fuel lines? I know EFI lines are under about 50psi and was wondering if building pressure like this was harmful.

MDNY · #5 (**permalink**) 02-23-2003, 04:00 PM

I hadn't noticed this yet, but I have only had my SR5 for two weeks and one of those I was out of town. So torrow I will try this. Just a quick twist to start and then let it go.

RA · #6 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 12:21 PM

Thanks Brian M. It is indeed neat. I would have gone years without being aware of it if it wasn't for your post !

Dude Boy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 12:25 PM

I wouldn't like it. What if you were out of fuel or the engine failed to start for some other reaso? Would it continue to crank the engine until the starter overheated, or the battery went dead? I would rather release the key if the engine failed to start, and investigate the cause.

RA · #8 (**permalink**) 02-24-2003, 01:32 PM

The manual states that the starter will crank for about 25 seconds maximum after you release it, 30 seconds if you hold the key in the "start" position. Pretty slick.

thecarguy · #9 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 02:12 AM

ehhh, you have a point. Starters arent designed to crank for long periods of time (even 10 seconds is long). Toyota starters arent the greatest in the world to begin with.

toy4x4boy · #10 (**permalink**) 02-25-2003, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by thecarguy
Toyota starters arent the greatest in the world to begin with.

What makes you say that?

MDNY · #11 (**permalink**) 02-28-2003, 12:15 PM

I love this feature. A quick turn of the key and I let it do its thing. Works for me.

Brian M · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2003, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MDNY
I love this feature. A quick turn of the key and I let it do its thing. Works for me.

Wife keeps getting irritated at me because I show that to everyone that gets in the car. I think it is a neat feature too!

Only problem is that when I get into her Avalon I forget to hold the key to crank it!

thecarguy · #13 (**permalink**) 02-28-2003, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toy4x4boy
What makes you say that?

every toyota Ive owned has had started go bad arround 70k miles. All my buddies yotas have starter problems arround the same time. I know its not really dependant on the miles on the car as it is the # of starts.

toy4x4boy · #14 (**permalink**) 03-01-2003, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thecarguy
every toyota Ive owned has had started go bad arround 70k miles. All my buddies yotas have starter problems arround the same time. I know its not really dependant on the miles on the car as it is the # of starts.

Hmm, my truck has 158k and never any starter problems. I have heard of people having some trouble but it is usually just the brushes in the starter that go bad...easy fix and very cheap.

Brian M · #15 (**permalink**) 03-04-2003, 10:39 AM

Several Toyotas......never a starter and drove each one well over 100,000 miles.

Oh well....