2014 Camry SE - random starting problem.
 

I have 2014 Toyota Camry 2014 SE with a push start button. It randomly fails to start. It often occurs when the car is warm and has been shut off for a short period of time. For example at the gas station. The car always starts, after some random period of time, ranging from 10 minutes to 60 minutes.

I have replaced the key fob batteries, main car battery and starter. My mechanic said there are not error codes to indicate a problem.

It seems electrical related. The key fob light comes on solid green, so I believe the fob is communicating fine. Normally I hear some type of solenoid or relay activate from under the left side of the dash. When it fails to start, I do not hear this relay/solenoid. All other lights seem normal.

Once after moving the shifter through the entire gear range, I heard the door locks unlock when put in park, and then it started.

Last night I tried this a couple of time, and nothing happened, then randomly while waiting as I do now, the down locks activated on their own, and then I was able to start it.

It seems to happen more frequently when the outside temperature is below freezing. It has not been too cold this year in southern western Ontario, so this may a coincident.

I have had a 2002 Toyota corolla(280km), 2006 matrix(580km), 2009 corolla (360km), Lexus rx350(200k) and I recently purchased this camry(160km). I have had exceptional reliability all these, but this Camry is starting to be disappointing.

Any suggestions would be most helpful!

Have you checked the starter solenoid and starter relay? The relay is small relay between the ign start system and solenoid.

I have not. I will try the starter relay.

I replaced the starter relay and this has not helped. I have noticed that when I am having problems, the security (immobilization) light does not go off when the car does not start. Normally, I the light will go off when starting, or in accessory mode.

It appears to be a security issue. thoughts, can the immobilization feature be disabled?

Could be the cars security system.

If you have the vehicles owners manual read up on it. Can download the manual.

https://www.toyota.com/owners/resour...owners-manuals

Try using another key.

The internet has hits on resetting the system.

Resolved - Steering Column Actuator
 

So I have finally resolved this issue. Turns out, the steering wheel actuator was failing(intermittently), this caused the steering wheel to remain locked, and would prevent the starter from operating. This model has a push button, so it wasn't as obvious as it might be with a key operated start. The key point seemed to be, that the steering wheel would remain locked every time it failed to start. Also, you would not hear the actuator operate every time this condition happen. Hopefully this might help someone in the future.

Thanks for posting back with the fix.