2001 Toyota Echo that will start regularly and than about every 4-weeks it won't start you have had it in three shops and they can't find anything wrong It's almost like an intermitent short?

Answer 1

You didn't provide enough information to adequately answer the question. What exactly did you do to get it to start after those times when it would not start? What happens when you try to start it but it does not start? Does the starter motor turn? Does it do absolutely nothing? If the engine is turning over but not starting, it could be a problem with the fuel injectors or fuel line or even the spark plugs - you might need to change the fuel filter, its very cheap and easy to change the spark plugs.

Sometimes you can overcome this problem (engine turning over but not starting) by pushing the gas pedal all the way down to the floor just BEFORE trying to start the car (hold it down as you try to start the car).

If the engine is not turning over at all, its probably an electrical problem. The most obvious thing would be a dead battery (this can be intermittent depending on conditions). It could also be a short of some kind. I think there was also a safety recall related to the starter, so if you have not had all the safety recall work done go get it done. The dealer can tell you what recalls apply to your car and if they have been done or not, its free, so make sure you do this either way if you haven't already because there's a relatively recent recall I know applies to your model that might be connected - this is the crank position sensor recall which can cause the engine to stall:

These symptoms are very similar to the cause of the Toyota recall - NHTSA Campaign ID Number: 06V266000. If you haven't responded to the recall notice, perhaps that's the cause.

2001 TOYOTA ECHO ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING Recall Date:07/19/2006

Summary:

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER MOLDING OF THE RESIN BODY OF THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENOR INSTALLED ON THE ENGINE BLOCK, ENGINE OIL MAY PENETRATE THE SEAL AND ENTER THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENTLY ATTACHED TO THE LOCKING TAB OF THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR.

Consequence:

ENGINE OIL INSIDE THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR COULD CAUSE EXPANSION DUE TO THE HEAT OF THE ENGINE AND COULD DEFORM THE SENSOR WIRING CONNECTOR. THE CONNECTOR MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING AND NOT BE ABLE TO BE RESTARTED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 26, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Potential Units Affected: 34771