My car won't start when it's hot outside

Asked by Girlygirlchick Jun 04, 2017 at 01:13 AM about the 1999 Toyota Avalon 4 Dr XLS Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Okay something weird going on at night
my car start fine, but in the morning or
evening with the first drive of the day if it's
hot outside it will not start! And seems like
when I open the windows and wait a bit it'll
start then... What is broke ? ( It'll turn on
but not start it don't click and a jump won't
work ... If that help any )

2 Answers

103,985

So you are saying if the interior is hot, it won't start (no crank, not even a click), but if you roll down a window and cool the interior down it does start? First, check you don't have the anti-theft system activated when this occurs. If you have any aftermarket items that interact with the anti-theft, like remote start, heat may be affecting wiring where those systems were spliced in. Second, heat may be soaking the starter or causing a intermittent component failure in the starting circuit. To isolate that it would need troubleshooting. (A bench test of the starter would confirm its operation.)

1 people found this helpful.
30

Finally, I run across someone who is having the same issue that I am having. I also have a 2002 Toyota Avalon and I'm having the same problem. If it has been a hot day, windows rolled up and the humidity on the interior of the car is unbearable, I know before I put the key in the ignition that it won't start until I cool off the inside of the car. The fix is to just open my door and just wait, sometimes 10 minutes then viola it starts. This problem seems to only happen in the Spring and especially the summer and no matter how many mechanics that I mentioned this to through the years, they have no idea. I'd hate to get rid of the car because it's paid for but I find it odd that nobody has a solution for this issue.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Farmboy93
    Reputation
    2,440
  • #2
    MsAngie1968
    Reputation
    1,340
  • #3
    GuruDCW7P
    Reputation
    1,140
View All

Find great deals from top-rated dealers

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Toyota Camry
39 Great Deals out of 874 listings starting at $2,490
Used Lexus ES
6 Great Deals out of 149 listings starting at $4,200
Used Honda Accord
41 Great Deals out of 875 listings starting at $3,495
Used Toyota Corolla
134 Great Deals out of 2,175 listings starting at $2,935
Used Lexus GS
20 listings starting at $6,999
Used Toyota 4Runner
14 Great Deals out of 296 listings starting at $14,888
Used Lexus LS
20 listings starting at $9,995
Used Toyota RAV4
119 Great Deals out of 2,559 listings starting at $2,495
Used Honda Civic
204 Great Deals out of 3,446 listings starting at $1,440
Used Toyota Tacoma
56 Great Deals out of 1,158 listings starting at $2,030
Used Lexus RX
25 Great Deals out of 799 listings starting at $5,900

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.