Tobys3381

Howdy all
I have been skulkin' round here for the last few days and have found a great deal of info about this 2002 ES300 of my sons, just haven't pinned down the problem so I joined to see if it can be solved without the assistance of a shop. I can take things apart and reassemble them pretty well and have been working on all sorts of cars for 30 + years and this car is really very easy to figure out how to do that for the most part, with bolts and screws as opposed to plastic pins that the domestics use.

This car has 180K on it and was very well maintained for the bulk of it. the problem arose a few days ago while driving on a busy interstate 70 mph. it just died, like the coil wire was disconnected.
The security system works properly, the key is fine, EVERY fuse is good Power @ the 120 amp Alt fuse battery is very strong and the starter is good. I jumped the small positive wire to the starter and it cranks nicely. tested the starter relay by crossing it's coil with 12V while checking continuity across the pins while activated, OK. All electrical components seem to work. The only noticeable thing, was the clock display on the radio dims when turning the key to start.
Most of the information that I have been reading about a non starting engine includes the ignition switch and the neutral safety switch, check or replace. The gear indicator light on dash goes thru and indicates the gears properly, also I removed the neut. safety switch and went thru the gears by moving the switch by hand, seems OK. CAN IT STILL BE FAULTY? $207 at the parts store.
took the ignition switch out, talk about simple, a fixed metal plate with a rotating metal plate, how can that even go bad?
What's next? it's hot out too! I suppose I need to trace every wire in the start run circuitry so any advice from someone that knows their electrical business would be greatly appreciated.
Anything. Are there other fusible links besides the small pos wire to battery? the only sound I get when trying to start it is a relay above the brake pedal area, with a pro pink cover on it.

PFB

I am not clearr why you are focusing on this being strictly a possible electrical problem.

Why are you dismissing other possible causes such as fuel related problems,

I'm also confused as to whether the engine cranks over or not. At some point you're saying the starter works, but at another point you're saying that all you hear when you turn the key is some sort of relay.

Phil

Tobys3381

Turn Key, only thing that happens is an under the dash relay engages. Don't know what that relay is for yet. I jumpered the starter, thats the only way to get it to turn over. Would a fuel related problem cause it to not even turn over? Does it sense fuel pressure or something? I can hear the fuel pump hum, but only for 1-2 seconds

PFB

If your engine does not crank than its not fuel related, so I take my initial comment back.

The puzzling thing is that it shut off on you while driving, and now it won't even crank over. There are not many causes that I can think off that can cause those two symptoms.

Any codes in memory?

A defective ignition switch, or a seized engine may do it. I'm sure that others will chime in with more possibilities.

Phil

Tobys3381

How about a lightbulb? Anyone know how to change one of those?

pdr

Do the rest of the dash lights come on normally when the key is turned on? Not to the start position but the running position. Check engine light, oil light, etc. all the dash lights.

If not, There's a fusible link at the front of the fuse box in the engine compartment that may have blown or maybe just bad connections to it. I think there are 2 actually, a 100 amp and a 60 amp. At least there are on my car which is older.

PFB

Please Start a new thread and specify year, model, and which bulb

Phil