Electical Problem on 2003 Camry Sportivo

[Family Guy]

Hi all,

I have a 2003 V6 Camry Sportivo with almost 60,000klms on the clock. Had it for about 6 months and bought it from a local Toyota dealer (Cannon). Has had 2 previous owners who obviously didn't drive it much.

I have experienced occasionally whilst driving that the lights, radio and engine cut out intermittently for a second or two then come back on - happens when I hit the brakes and/or turning on the indicators. It's obviously an electrical issue and there is service history mentioning the issue - it's also had a new battery and terminals fitted presumably to attempt to rectify the problem.

It happens every now and again - drove all the way to Adelaide and back without an issue (?!). If I swtich off and restart it tends to go away also (ECU?)

Can anybody shed some light on what may be causing this? Have searched the forum and it is mentioned in other 2003 models but without a cure. Haven't tried the dealer as yet as it only happens now and then and unlikley when being serviced next.

Any info would be appreciated - love the car however and being a 5sp it's fun to drive with enough power. We also have an 2005 Avensis Verso which is a real family work horse and been a great car too.

Cheers - Andrew

[lateralus]

i would say it sounds like the car has shoddy grounding.

have you installed any aftermarket electrical accessories that could possibly interfere with the standard equipment?

[Family Guy]

i would say it sounds like the car has shoddy grounding.

have you installed any aftermarket electrical accessories that could possibly interfere with the standard equipment?

Hi and thanks for the response and will check the grounding. There is nothing aftermarket fitted except new terminals and battery. It's really stange as it's gone away (for now).

[Ronnyboy]

There is nothing aftermarket fitted except new terminals and battery. It's really stange as it's gone away (for now).

Went to the dealer to get my Alternator changed yesterday. I told the Service Technician about your problem aswell cause i remembered you dropped me a line a day before. the Service Technician said that it could be due to some poor after market electical grounding or it could be the alternator.

Atleast its all good for now :)

[Family Guy]

Happened again on the way home from work - about 20mins into the journey home and hit the brakes and the headlights dipped off then on - turned on the indicator and they and the radio cut out. Turned the car off and restarted it at the lights and it went away for the rest of the drive home - this is weird - it's like an electrical short perhaps caused by the engine management system or similar.. what tha'... :( - due for it's 60,000klm service now so with ask Toyota what they think it may be...

Edited July 8, 2010 by Family Guy

[thommo]

Did you find a solution to this? we have same problem on our 2003 Altise. Headlights dim, radio cuts out on braking. Also sometimes when indicating or using power windows. We had the headlight switch fixed in the 2007 recall (corrosion in a switch would cause the headlights to cut out altogether), but that was a different issue to the current problem. Just like yours, it is intermittent, but becoming more regular.

We also took it to autoelectrician with this latest problem, who could find nothing wrong except said battery was not strong enough. He put a new battery in which fixed the prob for 6 months, but now it is back.

cheers

[Bastian]

I've got exactly the same problem (2003 V6 Altise) - and it's driving me nuts!!!

It's been into Toyota numerous times and they can't fault it - even when it's happening right there in front of them.

Seemed to start after the dipper switch recall part was fitted. They eventually replaced the recall part which fixed the problem for about a year then it came back again. Slight flicker every now and then when you do something that puts a load on the system - eg indicate, brakes on etc. After a few weeks it gets to the point where power will momentarily drop right out when you do something, or when the AC switches itself on and off. Big safety problem at night because everyone in front of you or coming towards you thinks you're flashing your lights at them.

Last week it was back at Toyota again, and as has been the case in the past they could see it happening, so they booked it in for a proper check to find the fault, I took it in for the booking a few days later and it didn't do it while it was there, and again they couldn't fault it so all they did was clean the earth points and check the connection of the recall part. All good for a few days then it came right on back!

I'm reading a few different posts about this problem - time for another recall??

[MR 988]

New alternator + battery fixed everything. The alternator must not be reconditioned or second hand.

I had exactly same problems before, took my car to the closest electrain to check, they provided reconditioned alternator which only worth $395 included fitting. But i have to understand " U pay wt u get", the problems came back after i drave a few days. At the end, changed back to the old one, but paid $110 for labour, was quite ***** me off :( .

Since i was very busy at work, i did not have time to let others check until the car actually turned off by itself laterly. At this time I took my car to Tunehouse to check

( the place I normally did the service), and spent $1500 to get the new alternator + battery . Again, u pay wt u get, the problems have gone, I have not had any problems since last month:yahoo:. I know itz very expensive but it worths, otherwise I can not drive my car to the Highway, just in case, the car do not turn off on 120km/h.

Hope this can help you.

All the best

[Ronnyboy]

At this time I took my car to Tunehouse to check and spent $1500 to get the new alternator + battery . Again, u pay wt u get, the problems have gone, I have not had any problems since last month:yahoo:. I know itz very expensive but it worths, All the best

Thats one expensive alternator.

The Dealers charge approx $800 for the one they supply and fit and i thought that was expensive..

[Cbr600]

Was this issue fixed? As quite a few years back there was a recall on the driver side front wiring under the inner guard panel (wheel arch) , we used to separate the Wiring and check for corrosion if there was none , then we'd soak the wiring in lanolin spray then reassemble.....

[MR 988]

So sad, the problem is happening again after last time I changed new alternator for 2 months. I took back to TuneHouse, and left car to them for two days, nothing found, even the voltage of battery and alternator stay normal but lights are still flashing. They only could say it might need bigger battery. I did not what to say. Anyone has any update with this problem?quite sad

[MasterTech]

Did you ever get this issue resolved? I currently diagnosing a similar Camry with similar problems. I am looking hard at the ground points and the areas in the harness where multiple grounds are crimped together. I'd like to know what you found if you have positively fixed the problem

Thanks

Hi all,

I have a 2003 V6 Camry Sportivo with almost 60,000klms on the clock. Had it for about 6 months and bought it from a local Toyota dealer (Cannon). Has had 2 previous owners who obviously didn't drive it much.

I have experienced occasionally whilst driving that the lights, radio and engine cut out intermittently for a second or two then come back on - happens when I hit the brakes and/or turning on the indicators. It's obviously an electrical issue and there is service history mentioning the issue - it's also had a new battery and terminals fitted presumably to attempt to rectify the problem.

It happens every now and again - drove all the way to Adelaide and back without an issue (?!). If I swtich off and restart it tends to go away also (ECU?)

Can anybody shed some light on what may be causing this? Have searched the forum and it is mentioned in other 2003 models but without a cure. Haven't tried the dealer as yet as it only happens now and then and unlikley when being serviced next.

Any info would be appreciated - love the car however and being a 5sp it's fun to drive with enough power. We also have an 2005 Avensis Verso which is a real family work horse and been a great car too.

Cheers - Andrew

[FRM05A]

I had experienced similar problems in my 2000 Toyota Camry before...

A few possibilities popped in my head

- Grounding issues

Check your grounding as per what lateralus said; did you install any aftermarket electronics in the car? Was your car involved in a front end accident? I suggest you perform the “Big 3” upgrade on your car. I personally think this is must for cars over 5 years old. This will definitely help with the electrical system in your car.

- Alternator problem

Get your alternator checked to see if it’s actually producing sufficient voltage and amp to your car. My alternator wasn’t charging sufficient due to the age of the alternator, extra aftermarket audio system and electronics connected within the car. I am currently waiting for my Mechman high output alternator

- Brake light globes

My brake and parker light shares the same globe and when one of them blew, the filament was touching each other causing the car to go funny when I have my lights on and braking

Hope this helps.

[thommo]

had similar problems on our 2003 Altise

sold it !

[jpf]

OMG!!

i seem to have the exact same problems on my 2003 camry altise .. engine cuts off a second or two mostly when there is extra load lke hitting the brakes , indicators on/off. Radio cuts off as well. Took my car to almost 5 different mech and two autoelec and no one can seem to find the problem. the damn thing does not do it when I take it for inspection... very frustrating.

Anyway my battery died the other day and the guy from RACV replaced it and also found that the alternator was not charging the battery properly. SO i got the alternator changed, cost about $550 and it hasnt done it for about 5 days now (fingers crossed).

With all the posts here obviously this seems to be a problem with 03 models, its amazing that no one can narrow down to what exactly the problem is.

Dont know if I should et rid of the car..

[jeffy]

how could they have not seen that, you must have brought it to shoddy mechanics,

[FRM05A]

OMG!!

i seem to have the exact same problems on my 2003 camry altise .. engine cuts off a second or two mostly when there is extra load lke hitting the brakes , indicators on/off. Radio cuts off as well. Took my car to almost 5 different mech and two autoelec and no one can seem to find the problem. the damn thing does not do it when I take it for inspection... very frustrating.

Anyway my battery died the other day and the guy from RACV replaced it and also found that the alternator was not charging the battery properly. SO i got the alternator changed, cost about $550 and it hasnt done it for about 5 days now (fingers crossed).

With all the posts here obviously this seems to be a problem with 03 models, its amazing that no one can narrow down to what exactly the problem is.

Dont know if I should et rid of the car..

I did narrow it down for you. Did you read it? Did you try it?

If yes, try a better mechanic!

[jpf]

how could they have not seen that, you must have brought it to shoddy mechanics,

Nah jeffy the car never seemed to do it when ever I take it to the mechanic and one of the mechanics was at a toyota delership and they couldnt seem to find anything..

OMG!!

i seem to have the exact same problems on my 2003 camry altise .. engine cuts off a second or two mostly when there is extra load lke hitting the brakes , indicators on/off. Radio cuts off as well. Took my car to almost 5 different mech and two autoelec and no one can seem to find the problem. the damn thing does not do it when I take it for inspection... very frustrating.

Anyway my battery died the other day and the guy from RACV replaced it and also found that the alternator was not charging the battery properly. SO i got the alternator changed, cost about $550 and it hasnt done it for about 5 days now (fingers crossed).

With all the posts here obviously this seems to be a problem with 03 models, its amazing that no one can narrow down to what exactly the problem is.

Dont know if I should et rid of the car..

I did narrow it down for you. Did you read it? Did you try it?

If yes, try a better mechanic!

Now I have got a new battery and alternator for the car and it hasnt done it since then but its too earlt its only been a week. Will get someone to try the possibility of lighting issues like you said , the other two grounding and alternator charging had already been tested...

Edited July 21, 2012 by jpf

[jpf]

:( :( .. its started again.. after more than a month of replacing batery and alternator...

The radio has started cutting off.. this is how it starts first radio does it then slowly it moves on to the car....

@Ak00fj - brake light globes is whats left to check..

There should be some solution to this!!!...

Edited September 1, 2012 by jpf

[wishbone]

yeah this happened exactly to my dads 05 altise. Its the alternator, its the computer chip in the sensor that fails and sends the car into spaz mode. You can replace the whole alternator or just that part off the alternator. The NRMA guy says he sees around 5 camrys a weeks with the same issue.

[Annodya]

I have been having the same problem with my 2003 Camry Altise. Has been driving me nuts!

I have FINALLY FIXED this problem - or should I say a work colleague has.

It is an earth problem. The main earth lead was connected next to the battery holder over the top of paint. Once he scraped off the paint and reconnected the earth lead (and covered it with a plastic spray to stop rust) all has been fixed. It hasn't missed a beat since! We have had a lot of rain in the last week and the dampness always made the problem worse. Still going strong .... no problem anymore!

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Donna

Edited April 24, 2013 by Annodya

[avensis20]

My 2002 Avensis is draining the battery when the car is at rest. Ive found the electronic fuel injection circuit is drawing .6 of an amp but have to investigate further. can anyone help?

[Chewtah]

On 11/2/2013 at 6:19 PM, avensis20 said:

My 2002 Avensis is draining the battery when the car is at rest. Ive found the electronic fuel injection circuit is drawing .6 of an amp but have to investigate further. can anyone help?

A while ago, but I might be able to help. One part of the fuel injection is the 'cold start injector' they can cause trouble and its hard to spot. If the car flutters a tiny bit t start up it maybe that the CSI is playing up, best remedy, block the fuel bolt that feeds the CSI, my car ran better the next time I kicked it in the guts.

[Paul Atreides]

I wish this problem had a straight up solution. MCV36R V6 2003 Camry Sport with the same issues.

Something seems to be draining the battery even when the car is running and every now and then some load kicks in and causes power loss to headlights, dome light, radio. Had the dealer and RACQ check the battery and Alternator - both said fine. Had Downtown Toyota check and clean grounding points - no difference. Problem comes, stays awhile and goes away for awhile. Mine announces itself with a ground feedback noise through the speakers starting quietly and getting louder over the next few days before the power drain  starts and  the feedback sound goes away after a month or so later and the power drains stop and the car runs normal again. At its worst, the feedback sound can be heard even when the radio is off. I have changed the radio because I thought that must be it but alas, no difference. One thing I did notice was that if you put in an LED dome light when these problems are happening, it flickers very fast as if in time with the engine firing but that too is a guess. I've since removed the LEDs and gone back to the original bulbs but only because that flicker when the power drains start bugs me. The LEDs don't flicker when the car is normal again.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Paul Atreides
date correction on model