We have a 1998 Avalon which we love, about 125,000 miles. It has pretty much been flawless until the past 2-3 months. It has developed an intermittent starting problem....usually on the first start of the day or after it has been sitting for several hours.

90% of the time, the car starts right off. Sometimes it tries to start (in fact I think it has started) but when I release the key, it has not started. It will usually start on the next try. More worrisome, sometimes I turn the key and NOTHING happens, I don't even think there is a click. However, if I just keep turning the key from off to on then the car will eventually start like nothing was wrong...usually on the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th try.

I have taken it to 2 Toyota dealers who basically tell me that until the car is dead-on-arrival, they can't / won't diagnose it. The battery was replaced as part of the "fix" (didn't help). The spark plugs have recently been replaced also.

Is there some logical sequence of things to check / replace. I guess this is going to come down to part-changing. I was wondering what you would replace and in what sequence. Any help you could provide would be very much appreciated. I have pretty much given up on our Toyota dealers and will try someone independent if I came "armed" with some information.

Thank you very much.

Do you still need help?

Seems like it would be the ignition switch...?

Having the same problem with a 98 XLS, car always cranks, but starts only 95% of the time. problem never lasts long enough for normal fuel delivery or spark tests. No CEL activity, or stored codes. Any suggestions?

In the future, please do not resurrect old threads, but since this one was not resolved, I'll let it slide for a bit longer to get an answer.

Sounds like the starter brush contacts have worn out. If you can tap on the starter housing with a hammer, this might jog the starter just enough to make electrical contact and start up. There is a starter repair kit you can buy to replace the brushes. Cheaper than a new one with more work involved, but the procedure is not difficult. Let us know the outcome so we can close this thread. Good luck!