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2004 Sienna Clicks when starting


the6carrules
12-28-2004, 08:50 AM
I got my 2004 Sienna in February 2004. It has been awesome so far.

A few months ago, we just got done loading up groceries and the kids and it wouldn't start. The CD/dash lights went crazy, clicking and flashing, etc...clock reset. The battery seemed dead. I tried to start it again and it just clicked. We waited 10 minutes and it almost cranked. We waited another 20 minutes and it fired up.

Took it to a dealership and had them put their little computer monitor on the minivan and they said everything looked good, and the battery was just fine. (he did mention that he believed that all Sienna batteries were way, way too small for what they had to deal with in the vehicle).

There only solution was to come back if it happened again - didn't even want to get the vehicle in and look it over for an issue.

Now Christmas eve - on our way out the door at 3pm for early mass, and it happens again. But when we tried to restart it just clicked. Got home 2 hours later and tried again, - just clicks. Lights work, auto-doors work, etc.. but won't turn over. I tried to jump it using my wife's brand new 2005 RAV4, but nothing changed - just clicks. So we had to travel a long distance crambed in the RAV4 with kids and luggage and presents.....except we had to leave some presents and we also were not able to bring all of the kids' presents back from their grandparents.....What a "wonderful" weekend it was...worrying about what was wrong with the minivan and answering about 20 times why we couldn't bring all the presents back home.

Anyway (sorry to vent) Called dealership and they "can't spare anyone to come out to drop a battery in". Which is rediculous - they'd rather pay a towing service to comeout, push my minivan down my driveway (pretty steap incline) and tow it in to change the battery. Not sure why cause they are paying for it all. (they don't know it yet, but if it is the battery, they are also getting the minivan in until they tell me what destroyed the battery in the first place....AND....they are going to give me another minivan to drive until they figure it out, lol).

Anyway, has anyone had this issue and what is the solution? Is it battery, is it starter (don't think since starters usually click once and then won't crank at all) or is it the solenoid? More importantly what electrical system "short" is causing this?

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

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