Motor won't shut off.

[New09Noob]

My wife and I just bought an '09 tC and we're already having problems with it. When we go to shut the motor off, nothing happens. For about 2 minutes of turning the key to off, nothing happens. Only way for it to turn off is to keep trying for over 2 minutes, or, let the clutch out so that it stalls.

This has happened 4 times in 2 weeks. Is this a known problem?

[ACE-tC]

i havent heard or have experienced that at all... you might want to take it back to where you got it and have them fix it. to me it sounds like theres an obvious problem between the starter and the engine or maybe even a sensor

[navylife59]

Sounds like you might have a turbo timer installed as they are usually set for 1-2minutes before motor shuts down. This is an aftermarket piece that does not require a turbo. I am making the assumption that you bought it used. It is also under powertrain warranty so if it is not a timer, then take it to the dealership.

Moving this to correct section.

[New09Noob]

Well, took it back to the dealer we bought it from to get some body work done. They were supposed to send it next door to Toyota to have it checked out but they "forgot." We took it over after picking it up and after they saw our aftermarket alarm keypad, they said that that was probably the problem. They've had a few similar cases to ours. The dealer we bought it from should be taking it out next time we drop it off to get the body workthey did fixed.

[navylife59]

Alarms usually cause the motor to not start but there are some newer ones that can be setup similar to a turbo timer.

[New09Noob]

The lady at service said that the chip in the aftermarket is somehow bypassing the chip in the Toyota fob and that's where the problem is.

[navylife59]

Well, she is dead wrong in her hypothesis as the embedded chip in your key only enables the ignition/fuel system to operate. There is no need to "authenticate" the key to turn off the motor as it is already authenticated. When you return the key lock to the "off" position, primary power to the ECM is deactivated thus shutting down the motor. If there Key Fob was somehow impaired by the alarm, the car just would not start. Since you have not stated any problems with starting, that follows suit as to what I am saying. What happens when you turn the key off and remove it from the ignition switch? Does the car magically shut down the motor and if so, is it repeatable and for the same duration of delay?

[New09Noob]

Well it happened again today. I THINK I figured it out though: when I park, I usually idle for a few seconds before shutting the motor off. Today, I pushed the unlock button for all the doors and opened the driver door. Then I went to turn the key off............nothing. Sat there for a few seconds before I "figured out" that it was probably the open door. As soon as I closed it and locked the doors, the key was able to turn the motor off.

This is kind of annoying now. The car is going in tomorrow to get the paintwork fixed and have the alarm uninstalled. Hopefully it'll solve the problem. Either way I want the alarm system out, it's starting to get very annoying. The sensors are either waaayyy sensitive, or whoever had it prior didn't install the system correctly. Everytime a "race car Honda" drives by, the alarms chirps. And now they're all starting to do it on purpose, sitting in front of the car for a second and revving real quick. That and the thunderstorms are making it go off what seems like constantly.

[navylife59]

Yep, best to dump that alarm and your problems should go away. Hopefully, the install did not damage anything.

[New09Noob]

Yeah, we just had it all taken out. Well, most of it. They didn't want to go into the dash to take the LED out, and they said they left some wiring in there. I'll have to go in and do it myself sometime.

Good thing is it's gone, no false alarms, and the car shuts off everytime.

I figured out what it was though. Whenever I unlocked the doors while the motor was still running, THAT'S when it wouldn't shut off. I'd haev to close thedoor and relock them, THEN shut it off. I figured this out the morning I took it in to have it disabled.