Toyollac

Morning All, Hope you've been well. Just wondering how many k's you've gotten out of the original Alternator and Starter motor? I know the stock ones are Bosch, so good quality. I've got a 2004 Avalon with 130,000ks on it with the original starter and alternator - I was considering getting some preventative maintenance done and replacing them both... but I thought I'd ask and see how many k's you guys have gotten out of your original starter & alternators? Cheers 🙂

Fixed this with a bottle of Penrite Injector cleaner - after about 150ks it started to improve, 400ks later, totally gone. Happy days! Just seemed they were a bit gummed up.

I certainly have! I checked the fuses again, one was burnt out, replaced it and it was all fixed. Don't know what they did to short it, but it hasn't shorted again since which is good. I think it's around the 11-12L per 100ks? Yourself?

Morning all, Turns out it was a burnt-out fuse, so yes, it'd be logical to assume they messed some wiring while doing the re-trim. I also noted that the drivers side interior pillar housing was not installed correctly, and was very loose. I read on some other forms there is some kind of wiring and switch in there, and maybe they knocked it about? That is my guess, as the passenger side pillar had no issues being attached at all. Some people are just scum - what can you do... really grinds my gears. Makes you want to do some questionable acts. Someone is working for that money, paying you for a service, you essentially **** up the car and don't tell the customer, not to mention the job wasn't completed correctly (drivers side pillar as above), doing and botchy job and sending it away makes me sick. Can't rely on google reviews ladies and gentleman!

How it should be. Just took my Avalon to have the headliner trimmed... Got my car back, and here is a list of issues: 1. Key only locks drivers door 2. Keyfob doesn't work 3. None of the interior lights work 4. In-dash clock doesn't work 5. None of the door controls work, including door switches. I don't know what these **** retards have done, but they've totally ****** my car. They also did a terrible job at refitting the trim on the drivers side panel. 1 or 2 fuses missing, I think they've ****** up some wiring, goddamn I hope it wasn't done on purpose, but if it was...

I'll be calling the mechanic tomorrow. Will update soon.

Yes, the twin tips were used, I made that point when I bought the car in 🙂 So the sparkulators have been replaced, I've put in a bottle of Penrite injector cleaner, 75ks in and no change so far, so it doesn't appear to be the Injectors. When I bought the car it was fine, and I always put in 98, so the oxygen sensor could deffs be a potential. I'll be bringing it in for an oil change late December, so I'll get some engine cleaner through it, fuel and air filter done etc... unless it get's worse, in which case I'll get it looked at ASAP - I don't think it's detrimental to the engine, just slightly annoying. Odd that it only happens at low speeds. I wonder if the surging will start to be seen at higher speeds? In better news... my 1974 Riviera is running smooth as a whistle! Thought I'd share a picture (just picture it as an Avalon)

No idea, just bought the car recently. I'm gonna go try out some Penrite fuel system cleaner when I fill up next, see if that makes any difference. Will report back in a few days.

Afternoon All, Another small issue with my Avalon... This generally happens when the car is warm, but it can happen cold. When I accelerate at low speeds, up to 20 kph either reversing or in drive, I get some slight jolting, about 4 - 6 times before it smooths out. When it jolts, it feels like it looses a bit of power. This happens maybe 1/12 times I accelerate. Accelerating at higher speeds is not an issue, there is no jolting. The spark plugs have been replaced, so no issue there. Had the trans and oil done recently. Anyone have this issue before in their Avalon? I know there can be a multitude of different potentials, but I was wondering if someone else has experienced this in their Avalon? It's got approx 128,xxx ks. Any help would be awesome 🙂

Put some Graphite powder in the door locks - all fixed. You're right, it just hadn't been used in many years. I didn't want to put too much force on it initially... I tend to baby things a little too much. Thank you.

G'day All, Another issue I found... My Avalon came with 3 sets of keys. I'm currently using only 1 of the keys. One time I decided not to bring the keyfob to lock/unlock the car (bad idea) I turned off the car, closed the door, and locked the car with the key. Then I put the key back inside the door to try and unlock it... after applying slight force, it just wouldn't open. When I turned it clockwise to the lock position, it would beep twice, and nothing would happen. Can someone tell me why this key will start my car, lock my car door, but not unlock my car door? I'm nervous that one day if the key fob fails... well what the **** do I do then? It just made no sense to me. Is it not the master key or something? Any ideas?

Can confirm I'd be worried about sludge build-up. What trim level? I would have been very interested a few weeks ago, but I'd be getting a mechanic to go over it and check for any sludge build up in the engine - they'll be someone out there who appreciates it. If it's the base model GXI - Maybe 9k if you're lucky. If it's the highest trim model (leather, sunroof, woodgrain) then 10k would be reasonable I think. I picked up a 127,000k 2004 Avalon for $6k recently with a RWC - needed hardly anything done to it bar a new headliner and trans fluid flush and service, and the standard oil change. This was a base model GXI, and purchased form a dealership.

I'm certainly teaching her to be a defensive driver. She's doing very well so far. Though she has a habit of cranking the starter about a second more than she needs to - trying to get her out of that habit. I've explained why it's bad, how it can wear your starter prematurely etc. She's getting better, still doing it occasionally though. I've got a 1974 Buick Riviera (chokeless car) so I thought it'd be funny to try and get her to start that, sensing when the engine is about to fire, applying correct pressure on the accelerator, and NOT continually cranking the starter ;D If I let her start it all by herself, she would have destroyed the starter. I don't think she'll ever be a car aficionado, but she'll be safe.

Morning All, New member here - posted in the new members section as well, if you wanna have a geeze. I'm wanting to take my Avalon cross country, and I'm purchasing a few backup parts just to be safe (fuel pump, starter, alternator etc) I'll admit, I'm having some issues with the starter... according to a gentleman I spoke to, there are two different starters, very minor differences, but they aren't interchangeable between the Avalon models - does anyone know if this is the case? I've got a 2004 Avalon MKIII GXI if that means anything - maybe there was a slight change is starter from the previous models, and MKIII? Hopefully someone can shed some light on this 🙂 Cheers.

Morning All, When I turned 18, my first car was my grandfathers 2002 Toyota Avalon Sorrento. I'm now 24, and have been through many a car (Jaguar XJ6, Statesman's, Caprice's, ES300s... the list goes on) And guess where I've found myself? Back with a 2004 Toyota Avalon GXI (Base model) I wanted a cheap runabout car that is comfortable, roomy, and reliable. I thought about an Avalon, and it ticks all the boxes! I have a girlfriend as well that's learning how to drive, so I figured if I have an Avalon, I won't be extremely worried if she knocks it up a bit... though I honestly do think it's a handsome car, so I hope she doesn't (hasn't yet, bless her.) The V6 is slightly lethargic compared to the V8's I've owned, but it still has enough get up and go, and is extremely smooth. It's more comfortable than the X300 XJ6 I owned. I also don't like the way it revs to 3k RPM in 1st gear when warming up. Besides these two gripes, I love it.