My kid drives an SC300 (95) I purchased recently. Unable to start it at a friend's house. Lights, interior lights, radio, everything works, it is not the battery, but will not even turn over and dash lights do not come on, I noted the top of 'this' electrical component in the engine compartment is missing ( 9 o'clock from the driver strut tower, just below manifold, just above fluid fill cap, 10 o'clock from fuse box approx size of an address ink stamp)...see photo, this is NOT my car, just another car from ebay to represent. What is this component? and the fact that it is missing would cause my symptoms??

http://images5.ecarlist.com/photos/1...366/640/18.jpg

that looks like the horn, and no that will not affect your start issues...

pull the fuse box cover and check the starter relay. See if your getting power to the relay (labeled ST) and also to the starter. If your getting power to both it may be a starter gone bad.

sounds like it might be a relay or fuse but this electrical component?

yes, that highlighted component, I am no longer with the car (darkness) and I just noticed the top of that missing in my 10 minute assessment, the horn worked before but did not try that at the time of tonights' inspection

Thats a toyota diagnostic plug.

thank you! ...guess that would not effect my starting...I will return at daylight to check fuses as was suggested..thanks.