2010 Toyota Stalling and ignition sticking problem

I was going to be flippant and suggest that you had the new model with the solution to "can't stop the darn thing" but that would be off key.

The problem that you describe wth the system staying in "crank" condition and the other "timeout" concern may be linked.

Stuck in crank usually relates to return forces of the springs and detents in the switch and the resistance inside the locking barrel.

The stopping after three seconds may also relate to the switch/locking barrel combination, but could also relate to the fuel system. I've seen "gas" (As opposed to gassoline) cars that show this symptom after being parked for more than 1 hour. (But in your case I'd suspect the issue to be independant of the fuel system.)

(I used to work for one of the companies that made ignition switches for Ford and GM. Spent a littel time during new model launches investigating "Ignition sticks on" issue. There was always a tradeoff in the forces that we built into our switches and the necessary strength in the keys Occasionally the car companies had insufficient hysteresis in the mechanical cycle.)

This could also cause the stopping after 3 secs if the key doesn't retun fully to the "on" position, but sits somewhere in between.

Good luck, but SEE THE DEALER. It's not meant to be that way.

By the way, what country are you in? I might have some names that you could contact direct.

Take a look at this.

http://laguna2.2dci.free.fr/img/4121a.pdf

I bet Toyota use same manufacturer

I get the impression that this car has an ignition key?

The next time you go through this cycle (and have the time), once you do get the vehicle started bring it immediately to the dealership. Have them immediately do a download of the computer to identify which subsystem had just intermittently failed. Most of the time the supervisor is qualified to do a computer scan and will not be already working on somebody else's vehicle.

Most, important do not ask for a repair to be done at this time. Emphasize that you are trying to work with the dealership to diagnose your intermittent problem and this is an opportunity to capture at least which subsystem stopped. This scan should not take long and still may not capture what happened. Don't be surprised to find that your chip permitting "key-less" operation was not detected by the ignition system control. (Remember "key-less" is actually a misnomer, the key is now a non-mechanical device.) Now why the chip was not detected is something that you will have to discuss with your service personnel. Possibly a battery is failing or where you happen to carry this chip is a dead zone inside the vehicle for RF. But it also may not be the ignition system that stopped functioning. As unlikely as it maybe, you might have a clogging fuel filter that is preventing sufficient pressure for the injectors. You might have a loose wire connection somewhere else that is sending confusing information to the computer.

Now if the computer does indicates a single system failure that caused this anomaly, now discuss with service what further diagnostic traps you and they could put on your vehicle to help identify the failing part. Or if you're lucky arrange to replace the one part (the ignition push button switch) that could be the source of the intermittent failure.

But by being both reasonable and persistent that you have a problem with your new vehicle that must get fixed, you should get from the service personnel a good response. If not, well have you considered talking to a local reporter?

I am stunned by the amount of faults i have discovered

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Chevrolet/Malibu/2000/engine/sudden_unintended_acceleration.shtml

http://www.safetyforum.com/sua/

http://www.antony-anderson.com/cruise/6-freq.htm

http://www.safetyforum.com/fordsua/

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59922

Toyota is only the most recent company to have sudden acceleration as a problem. Many years back this scenario was linked to an engine mount failure that when the engine shifted, the mechanical linkage to the throttle fully opened the throttle. Murphy was an optimist. Things can always go wrong!

We all have to keep this in mind as the universe tries to correct us.

Sounds like another recall to me....

never overlook the obvious, you may not be using the original key, sometimes we return a new bulb,never realising you flip the wrong switch after changing out the blown one.

Take it to the dealer. Do not touch it yourself.

Toyota is under a lot of pressure at this time, they MUST take your complaint seriously, if they don't take them IMMEDIATELY to court.....

Its your life on the line.....

Andy's right.

Take it to you nearest authorised dealer ASAP.

They WILL fix it.

It's an electronic problem.

(there are just too many damn computers in these'ere modern jalopies)

Stu.