Drove car to work in the AM, noticed car did not start right up when I turned the key the first time. Didn't think much of it, thought it was my error in turning the key. Went to leave work at 6 pm as the thunder and rain rolled in...car would not start, power came on to lights, radio, dash but no power windows. Key felt like butter in the ignition and turned freely, wheel felt stiffer than usual.
Called neighborhood mechanic to come look at it on site, he took out the ignition lock cylinder and determined the linkage between that and the ignition switch had a broken off metal piece stuck in the switch. I went to Toyota dealership and brought them the cylinder and linkage piece, Toyota employee looked a little miffed and then went to the back and came out with a metal housing unit containing three holes, one for the lock cylinder one for the switch and a side hold that leads to the steering lock bar. The employee told me the piece he had came off an Avalon they just performed recall work on for what appeared to be my issue or the cause of it.
The next day I was able to have the car towed to the dealer, was given a little grief that my car "was 13 years old" but I make a payment on that car and it's my families life line! I don't care if its 13 years old! I maintain my cars. I just hope Toyota covers this issue. Being that it is my first foreign car buy I hope they make this issue right. The recall obviously has something to do with the broken piece in my ignition assembly and the Toyota employee proved that by showing me the part I needed that had come off a recalled car that had just been repaired! Felt like I had to be very firm with this dealership because I felt like I was given low priority because of the age of my car. I hope this situation turns out good and will keep all posted. Would like to find a diagram of this area on the vehicle. Have not been able to locate one.
Drove car to work in the AM, noticed car did not start right up when I turned the key the first time. Didn't think much of it, thought it was my error in turning the key. Went to leave work at 6 pm as the thunder and rain rolled in...car would not start, power came on to lights, radio, dash but no power windows. Key felt like butter in the ignition and turned freely, wheel felt stiffer than usual.
Called neighborhood mechanic to come look at it on site, he took out the ignition lock cylinder and determined the linkage between that and the ignition switch had a broken off metal piece stuck in the switch. I went to Toyota dealership and brought them the cylinder and linkage piece, Toyota employee looked a little miffed and then went to the back and came out with a metal housing unit containing three holes, one for the lock cylinder one for the switch and a side hold that leads to the steering lock bar. The employee told me the piece he had came off an Avalon they just performed recall work on for what appeared to be my issue or the cause of it.
The next day I was able to have the car towed to the dealer, was given a little grief that my car "was 13 years old" but I make a payment on that car and it's my families life line! I don't care if its 13 years old! I maintain my cars. I just hope Toyota covers this issue. Being that it is my first foreign car buy I hope they make this issue right. The recall obviously has something to do with the broken piece in my ignition assembly and the Toyota employee proved that by showing me the part I needed that had come off a recalled car that had just been repaired! Felt like I had to be very firm with this dealership because I felt like I was given low priority because of the age of my car. I hope this situation turns out good and will keep all posted. Would like to find a diagram of this area on the vehicle. Have not been able to locate one.
- Justine B., Tucson, AZ, US